Germany: Dancing on Good Friday will remain illegal, according to the Constitutional Court

Sep 18, 2025 08:36

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Good Friday in Bensheim, Germany Photo: AP/Michael Probst

Justice and Peace•Religious Freedom

Strasbourg ruling leaves unresolved the issue of restrictions on worship and Masses during the pandemic

The judgment highlights a striking gap: the Strasbourg court has yet to issue a single ruling on pandemic-era restrictions and freedom of religion, despite years of appeals and the profound impact on faith communities

Sep 16, 2025 17:45

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Local Church•Pro Life

S Korean bishops discuss abortion law with lawmakers

Bishop Moon of Cheju, chairman of the Bishops’ Conference’s Committee for Family and Life, met with Democratic Party lawmakers who are promoting a bill that the Church sees as a path towards unlimited abortions. The issue came to the fore in 2019 after a ruling by the Constitutional Court. For Bishop, “We must move towards respect for life.”

Sep 16, 2025 17:42

ZENIT Staff

Vatican Diplomacy

Vietnam and Holy See Deepen Ties in Twelfth Round of Bilateral Dialogue

Both delegations praised the Catholic community’s role in national life, describing it as a force for both Gospel witness and civic contribution. In recent years, Vietnam has cautiously allowed the Church to expand its pastoral and charitable work, while the Vatican has encouraged the faithful to integrate fully into society

Sep 15, 2025 17:40

ZENIT Staff

Persecuted Christians

Vatican commission documents 1,600 martyrs of the faith in 25 years

Of these, 643 were killed in Sub-Saharan Africa, 357 in Asia and Oceania, 304 in the Americas, 277 in the Middle East and the Maghreb, and 43 in Europe.

Sep 15, 2025 17:37

ZENIT Staff

Liturgy and Divine Worship

Questions about liturgy: Celebrating the Day of a Blessed

Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology and director of the Sacerdos Institute at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.

Sep 15, 2025 17:31

ZENIT Staff

The Vatican Outlines the Next Steps in Implementing the Synodal Path for the Entire Church

Central to the meeting was the preparation for a gathering scheduled from June 23 to 25, 2026. This event will serve as a preparatory stage for the Continental Evaluation Assemblies planned for early 2028

Dates and Locations Announced for Mass Events with Pope Leo XIV in Spain

Pope Leo XIV will celebrate a great Prayer Vigil with young people and three great Masses during his Apostolic Journey to Spain. Registration forms are now open for participation in these first confirmed events on the Pope’s agenda. Registration can be done through the official website of the trip: conelpapa.es.

Germany: Dancing on Good Friday will remain illegal, according to the Constitutional Court

Cardinal Ambongo, leader of the entire African episcopate: “Fiducia Supplicans was a bad chapter in Pope Francis’ pontificate”

Beijing sets online rules for clergy: no sermons, no rituals, no educational activities

Iraqi Christian Killed in Lyon Sparks Renewed Alarm Over Anti-Christian Violence in France

Pope Leo XIV scores 8 out of 10 in US approval poll: here are the results

Relic of Saint Carlo Acutis stolen in Venezuela: risk of online sale?

Pope Leo calls on Catholics in Gaza; more than 500 Catholic priests announce march in support of Gaza in Rome

Strasbourg ruling leaves unresolved the issue of restrictions on worship and Masses during the pandemic

S Korean bishops discuss abortion law with lawmakers

Vietnam and Holy See Deepen Ties in Twelfth Round of Bilateral Dialogue

Vatican commission documents 1,600 martyrs of the faith in 25 years

Questions about liturgy: Celebrating the Day of a Blessed