Card Beshara al-Rahi Photo: InfoVaticana

A saintly samurai: progress and hopes for the canonization of the «Samurai of Christ

The possible canonization would be a significant milestone, marking Ukon as the first Japanese samurai to be declared a saint. The Church anxiously awaits the results of investigations into the miracles attributed to his intercession, in the hope that this «samurai of Christ» will soon become a saint officially recognized by the Catholic Church.

Scotland: Church voices concern as government looks into banning ‘conversion practices’

While the Church supports legislation which protects people from physical and verbal abuse, a fundamental pillar of any free society is that the state recognises and respects the right of religious bodies and organisations to be free to teach the fulness of their beliefs and to support, through prayer, counsel and other pastoral means, their members who wish to live in accordance with those beliefs

USA: Nationwide Prayer Vigil for Life to Take Place January 18-19

The National Prayer Vigil for Life will once again be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the March for Life. The event will begin with an Opening Mass at 5:00 PM ET in the Basilica’s Great Upper Church. The principal celebrant and homilist for the Opening Mass will be Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities.