Missionary and Missioned Partner: The Remarkable Brazilian Case of Two Martyrs on the Path to the Altars

Aug 19, 2026 22:23

Salesian missionary Rudolf Lunkenbein and the Bororo indigenous man (Brazilian) Simão Cristino Koge Ekudugodu were martyred together

Pro Life

US Takes Lead in Global Pro-Life Coalition

The Geneva Consensus Declaration was launched in 2020 by the Trump administration and a cross-regional group of nations from all continents. The declaration is focused on international cooperation to improve women’s health through a pro-life, pro-family and pro-sovereignty approach.

Aug 18, 2026 18:31

Stefano Gennarini

Local Church

Is There an Absolute Right to a Catholic Funeral? Bishop Responds with Guidelines for His Diocese

Suetta’s answer is deliberately uncompromising. The funeral is not principally a public ceremony in which a community celebrates the life of the deceased. It is an act of the Church: prayer for the dead, reverence for the body in anticipation of the resurrection and consolation for those who remain

Aug 18, 2026 17:45

Valentina di Giorgio

Cardinals and Bishops

German bishop defies the Vatican’s ban on the homily, without claiming the right to violate it

Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz says he will not authorize lay preaching during the Mass. But he also says he will not discipline parishes where the practice continues, even though Rome has recently reaffirmed that the homily is reserved to priests and deacons

Aug 17, 2026 18:22

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Local Church•Protection of vulnerable people

Alleged victims of abuse are seeking compensation from Church parishes, including churches and their assets

The ruling does not transfer a single parish building or bank account to abuse claimants. Instead, Bankruptcy Judge Heather Cooper has authorized them to bring what the court calls an adversary proceeding to establish whether properties belonging to nearly 70 parishes can legally be reached by creditors

Aug 17, 2026 18:14

ZENIT Staff

Good News•Local Church•Virgin Mary

In videos and photos: Here’s a look at Europe’s tallest new Marian monument

On August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, the Church inaugurated a 55.6-metre statue of Our Lady of Mercy, now regarded as the tallest Marian monument in Europe

Aug 17, 2026 17:28

ZENIT Staff

Leo XIV Returns to Peru: Government to Invest $18 Million

The government authorized the transfer of the funds to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize the Pope’s visit from November 11 to 16, according to a supreme decree published in the country’s official gazette on September 5.

The Pope’s visit to France has also sparked a surge in donations and sales of books by Leo XIV

The pattern of giving has been particularly striking. The average donation has been around €200—approximately twice the average single donation in France in 2024—and some contributions have exceeded €10,000.

Missionary and Missioned Partner: The Remarkable Brazilian Case of Two Martyrs on the Path to the Altars

U.S. Bishops’ Initiative to Inform Communities on the Danger of Abortion Pills Includes Prayer, Education, and Advocacy

Italian Episcopal Newspaper Calls for the Nobel Peace Prize to Be Awarded to the Children Killed in Gaza

How Many Catholics Support the Death Penalty? U.S. Study Releases Findings

A “synodality” that fails to convince: the best-articulated doubts of bishops and cardinals who are speaking out and appealing to Pope Leo XIV

AI and materials analysis offer new insights into the Qumran scrolls

Poland Says No to EU on Gay: President Vetoes Bill That Equates Same-Sex Unions With Marriage

US Takes Lead in Global Pro-Life Coalition

Is There an Absolute Right to a Catholic Funeral? Bishop Responds with Guidelines for His Diocese

German bishop defies the Vatican’s ban on the homily, without claiming the right to violate it

Alleged victims of abuse are seeking compensation from Church parishes, including churches and their assets

In videos and photos: Here’s a look at Europe’s tallest new Marian monument