The event will bring together experts and leaders from various nations to explore innovative strategies for safeguarding children who face exploitation, abuse, war, and extreme poverty. In a heartfelt gesture, Pope Francis highlighted the role children themselves will play in preparing for this historic day, symbolizing the essence of empowerment and inclusion.

A Global Appeal for the Vulnerable

“Millions of children live in precarious conditions, are exploited and mistreated, and suffer the devastating consequences of conflict,” Pope Francis stated, marking the occasion of the International Day of the Rights of the Child. “This meeting is an opportunity to identify new ways to help and protect them.”

The announcement resonated deeply with those gathered, particularly the children present, who rushed to embrace the Holy Father. This visible connection underscored the Pope’s profound commitment to fostering a world where the youngest and most vulnerable are seen and valued.

Establishment of the Pontifical Committee for Children’s Rights

Coinciding with the announcement of the February summit, Pope Francis introduced the formation of the “Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Childhood”, tasked with organizing initiatives that promote children’s welfare globally. Father Enzo Fortunato, named president of the committee, praised the Pope’s unwavering focus on the future of the world’s youth.

“This is a testament to the Church’s dedication to protecting the smallest among us,” Father Fortunato remarked. “It is a call to action, not just for Catholics, but for humanity as a whole.”

The committee will work closely with the Community of Sant’Egidio, Auxilium, and other organizations to ensure the success of this event and future initiatives, including the “World Day of Childhood” slated for September 2026.

A Historical Perspective on Children’s Rights

The February summit aligns with a long history of advocacy for children. The International Day of the Rights of the Child commemorates the adoption of the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a landmark document rooted in principles first articulated in the 1924 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child.

For over three decades, these frameworks have underscored the global responsibility to ensure children’s access to safety, education, and dignity. The Vatican’s upcoming meeting reaffirms this commitment while seeking fresh solutions to contemporary challenges.

Children at the Heart of Change

The Pope’s focus on involving children in the preparation of the summit is emblematic of his belief in their agency. The young participants at the announcement represented diverse backgrounds, including Catholic schools in Rome, Indonesia’s community, and peace schools run by Sant’Egidio. Their enthusiastic response reflected the universal relevance of this mission.

In the words of Father Fortunato: “The world’s smallest voices often carry the greatest truths. Through this initiative, Pope Francis reminds us to listen and act.”

A Message of Hope and Urgency

As wars rage and inequalities deepen, the Vatican’s call for global collaboration on children’s rights serves as a clarion reminder of shared human responsibility. February’s summit will not only spotlight the challenges but inspire concrete actions, urging leaders to prioritize the well-being of the youngest members of society.

By placing children at the heart of its mission, the Church is extending an invitation to the world: to protect, to empower, and to love without bounds. As the Pope concluded his announcement, the children in attendance offered the simplest yet most profound response: “Thank you.”

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Vatican to Host Global Summit on Children’s Rights: A Bold Call to Action appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Celebration of Youthful Holiness

The canonizations will spotlight the vitality of youth within the Church. Carlo Acutis, often called the «influencer of holiness,» will be canonized during the “Teenagers’ Jubilee” from April 25 to 27. Known for his deep love of the Eucharist and expertise in computer science, the young Italian left a legacy of faith expressed in modern ways.

Pier Giorgio Frassati, a Turin-born student, alpinist, and advocate for the poor, will follow during the “Youth Jubilee” from July 28 to August 3. Often referred to as the «man of the Beatitudes,» Frassati lived a life rooted in prayer, service, and joy—a testament to faith as an adventure. His canonization comes a century after his death, continuing to inspire generations to live with courage and compassion.

A Day for the Children of the World

The announcement coincided with the International Day for the Rights of the Child, where Pope Francis also introduced a major upcoming event: the “World Meeting on Children’s Rights”. Scheduled for February 3 in Vatican City, the gathering will bring together experts, activists, and global leaders to address the plight of children suffering from war, exploitation, and neglect.

In a touching moment during the audience, children in yellow caps, representing various Catholic schools and peace organizations, rushed to greet the Pope on the basilica’s steps. Their joyful interaction underscored the urgency of protecting young lives. «The future of the world lies with the smallest among us,» the Pope remarked, highlighting the Church’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the dignity of every child.

Holiness in Action: The Lives of Acutis and Frassati

Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at just 15, gained widespread recognition for creating an online catalog of Eucharistic miracles. His bishop in Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino, called him “a ray of light for young people” and noted the providential timing of his canonization during the Jubilee, which celebrates renewal and hope.

Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at 24 in 1925, left a legacy of service that resonated deeply even in his short life. A member of Catholic Action and other faith-based groups, he balanced rigorous spiritual devotion with an adventurous spirit. Saint John Paul II, who beatified him in 1990, described him as a model for those striving to integrate faith and action.

Resonating with the Modern World

The Church views these two saints as bridges to contemporary youth. Acutis and Frassati exemplify a faith that is not confined to the past but thrives in digital innovation and social responsibility. Their canonizations aim to inspire young Catholics to see holiness as accessible and relevant.

In a statement, Catholic Action Italy celebrated Frassati’s legacy, emphasizing his ability to counter apathy with a life of dynamic engagement. “His rule of life, ‘to get involved,’ is a call against indifference—a way to connect with the world through faith and action,” the group wrote.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope Francis announces when Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The event, scheduled for December 7 at 6:30 PM, will be led by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and Sister Raffaella Petrini, who serve as the President and Secretary General of the Vatican City Governatorate. With a rich array of traditions and artistic marvels, this year’s festivities promise to be a testament to the spirit of Christmas as both a sacred and universal celebration.  

Grado’s Lagoon-Inspired Nativity Scene: A Testament to Love and Labor

The centerpiece of this year’s St. Peter’s Square Nativity scene hails from Grado, a lagoon town in the Diocese of Gorizia. Dubbed the «Community Nativity,» this intricate display embodies themes of love, labor, and tradition, showcasing scenes from early 20th-century life in Grado’s unique lagoon environment.

The scene is set within a traditional casone—a reed structure historically used by local fishermen—and features the Holy Family surrounded by lifelike statues crafted from lagoon clay by Lorenzo and Francesca Boemo, a father-daughter artisan duo. The tableau extends beyond the Nativity to include details like flat-bottomed batele boats floating in an artificial lagoon, a grandmother watching her grandchildren play on a sandy shore, and women participating in the fishing trade.

Under the guidance of Antonio Boemo and architect Andrea de Walderstein, the project involved over 40 volunteers, blending professional expertise and community spirit. The display also highlights Grado’s connection to its historic roots as a «mother of Venice» and its enduring ties to the Church through landmarks like the Basilica of Santa Eufemia.

The Bethlehem Nativity: Crafting Hope from Conflict

Adding an international dimension, the Paul VI Hall will host the «Bethlehem Nativity 2024,» a symbolic reminder of the Holy Land’s significance. Designed by Bethlehem-based artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, this installation features a three-meter-tall circular structure adorned with handcrafted representations of the Nativity.

Materials like olive wood, nacre, and stone, sourced from the region, reflect the craftsmanship of Bethlehem’s artisans, while the installation’s collaboration with local Christian institutions underscores its message of peace and resilience amid ongoing conflict.

Ledro’s Eco-Conscious Christmas Tree

From the Alpine forests of Ledro in Trentino comes the majestic 29-meter Christmas tree that will light up St. Peter’s Square. This sustainably sourced spruce symbolizes the Vatican’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Certified by the PEFC for responsible forest management, its selection ensures the preservation of local biodiversity and the natural renewal of the forest.

The tree’s decorations and lighting, provided by local artists and craftspeople, aim to evoke both the grandeur of nature and the simplicity of the Christmas message.

A Celebration of Faith and Community

The day’s events also include an audience with Pope Francis, during which delegations from Grado and Ledro, along with representatives from the Palestinian Embassy to the Holy See, will formally present their gifts. These delegations include prominent figures such as Monsignor Carlo Roberto Redaelli, Bishop of Gorizia, and Monsignor Lauro Tisi, Bishop of Trento, as well as local leaders and community groups who contributed to the projects.

A Season of Reflection and Renewal

As the Nativity and Christmas tree remain on display until January 12, 2025, they invite pilgrims and visitors to reflect on the enduring message of Christmas: love, unity, and hope. Whether through the artistic heritage of Grado, the resilience of Bethlehem, or the environmental consciousness of Ledro, this year’s celebration stands as a powerful reminder of the Church’s role in connecting cultures and fostering a global community of faith.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post This is the date and time when the Vatican Christmas tree will be lit 2024 appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Rather than dismissing these traditions as mere folklore or customs, the Vatican’s recognitio elevates them to the status of “liturgical expressions,” fostering a deeper sense of inclusion and respect for the faith traditions of the Tseltal, Tsotsil, Ch’ol, Tojolabal, and Zoque peoples.  

Liturgical Innovations: Faith Through Indigenous Lenses

Key among the approved adaptations are ritual dances integrated into various parts of the Mass, such as the offertory and thanksgiving after communion. Cardinal Arizmendi emphasized that these are not decorative acts but meditative movements reflective of indigenous spirituality. Accompanied by traditional music, these dances serve as contemplative expressions aligned with the essence of the Roman rite but through a distinctly local cultural lens.

Additionally, women from these communities will now take on the ministry of incensing during Mass. Using culturally significant sahumerios instead of traditional censers, they will incense the altar, sacred images, and the congregation. Cardinal Arizmendi clarified that this inclusion is not a statement of gender equality but a faithful reflection of indigenous customs, where women traditionally hold this role in community prayers.  

Expanded Lay Participation

Another notable change is the introduction of a greater role for lay leaders of moral standing. These individuals may now guide certain communal prayers, such as the opening prayer, intentions, and moments of thanksgiving, under the supervision and authorization of the priest. Cardinal Arizmendi stressed that these adaptations aim to deepen communal participation without diminishing the priest’s role as the celebrant.

Cultural Context Meets Catholic Doctrine

Cardinal Arizmendi described the changes as a step toward the “incarnation of faith” within indigenous cultures. He underscored that the core content of the Roman rite remains untouched, with only its cultural expression adapted. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between universal Catholic traditions and local indigenous practices, offering a way for these communities to worship authentically within their cultural frameworks.

“These adaptations are not a dilution of the faith but an enrichment,” he explained, highlighting how the Church can guide indigenous customs toward fulfillment in Christ without dismissing their value.

A Model for Broader Inclusion

The decision could set a precedent for other indigenous groups around the world, encouraging bishops and pastoral leaders to explore similar adaptations. Cardinal Arizmendi called on Church leaders to embrace the liturgical potential of indigenous expressions, urging them not to reduce these practices to mere folklore.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Vatican approves “Mayan Mass”: it does not change the content of the Mass, but the way of expressing it appeared first on ZENIT - English.

“A Jubilee of Solidarity and Shelter»

With the Jubilee beginning on December 24, Pope Francis framed his appeal as a spiritual and moral imperative. He called on Church-owned properties to be leveraged for the common good, emphasizing the necessity of “charitable and solidarity-driven gestures that generate hope for the thousands of people in Rome who lack stable housing or risk losing their homes.”

The Pope’s message stressed that the Church’s mission is not confined to welcoming pilgrims but must extend to serving the vulnerable:  “God’s love generates hope, and His love passes through us,” he wrote, quoting Blessed Don Pino Puglisi: “God always loves through someone.”

A Moral Foundation for Human Dignity

Central to Pope Francis’s message was the Church’s social teaching on human dignity. He reiterated the importance of three inalienable rights: land, housing, and work, which he has frequently highlighted as the foundation of human dignity. Calling on diocesan leaders to make “bold gestures of love for neighbor,” he asked those with unused properties or vacant apartments to put them to use for the benefit of the city’s most vulnerable populations.

Practical and Bureaucratic Challenges

While the letter stirred hope among Church and community leaders, it also highlighted a complex reality. Properties within Italy are subject to the nation’s housing regulations, including zoning and tenant laws, which could complicate the Church’s ability to provide immediate relief. Experts warn that bureaucratic hurdles may delay or limit the effectiveness of the initiative.

Despite these challenges, the Pope’s letter directs those willing to respond to contact Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Vicariate General of the Diocese of Rome. This step aims to streamline efforts and coordinate with civil authorities.

A Broader Vision for the Jubilee Year

The Pope’s call aligns with his vision for a Jubilee rooted in action and service, rather than mere celebration. By addressing housing precarity, Francis seeks to tie the spiritual renewal of the Jubilee to the tangible promotion of human dignity. His appeal reinforces the Church’s role as a force for social transformation, particularly in its home city.

As Rome prepares to welcome millions of pilgrims, the Pope’s call to action serves as a reminder that the spirit of the Jubilee must extend beyond its festivities to embrace those in need. Whether this ambitious vision will surmount the legal and logistical challenges remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the Church must lead with courage and compassion.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Pope Francis Urges Rome Diocese to Combat Housing Crisis Ahead of Jubilee Year appeared first on ZENIT - English.

***

With the Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, I wished to repropose to the faithful disciples of Christ of the contemporary world the universal calling to holiness. It is at the centre of the teaching of Vatican Council II, which recalled that “all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (Lumen Gentium, 40). Thus, we are all called to welcome God’s love which “has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit” (Rm 5:5). Indeed, holiness, rather than being the fruit of human effort, is making space for the action of God.

Everyone can recognize in many people they meet along the way witnesses of the Christian virtues, in particular faith, hope and charity: couples who have faithfully lived their love, opening themselves to life; men and women who, in their various occupations, have supported their families and cooperated in spreading the Kingdom of God; adolescents and young people who have followed Jesus with enthusiasm; pastors who, through their ministry, have poured out the gifts of grace on God’s holy people; men and women religious who, by living the counsels of the Gospel, have been a living image of Christ the Bridegroom. We cannot forget the poor, the sick, the suffering who in their weakness have found support in the divine Master. It is about that “everyday” holiness “next door”, in which the Church scattered throughout the world has always been rich.

We are called to allow ourselves to be inspired by these models of holiness, among whom stand out first of all the martyrs who shed their blood for Christ and those who have been beatified and canonized for being examples of Christian life and our intercessors. We then think of the Venerables, men and women whose heroic exercise of virtue has been recognized, of those who in singular circumstances have made of their lives an offering of love to the Lord and to their brothers and sisters, as well as the Servants of God whose Causes for beatification and canonization are underway. These processes show how much the witness of holiness is also present in our time in which the great witnesses to the faith shine like stars (cf. Phil 2:15), who have marked the experience of the particular Churches and, at the same time, have been fruitful throughout history. They are all our friends, companions on the road, who help us realize our baptismal vocation to the full and show us the most beautiful face of the Church, which is holy and the mother of the Saints.

During the course of the liturgical year, the Church publicly honours the Saints and Blesseds, on pre-established dates and in predetermined ways. However, it seems important to me that all particular Churches commemorate the Saints and Blesseds on a single date, as well as the Venerables and Servants of God of their respective territories. It is not a matter of inserting a new memorial into the liturgical calendar, but of promoting with appropriate initiatives outside the liturgy, or of recalling within it, for example in the homily or at another time deemed appropriate, those figures who have characterized the local Christian path and spirituality. Therefore, I urge the particular Churches, starting from the coming Jubilee of 2025, to remember and honour these figures of holiness, every year on 9 November, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.

This will enable the individual diocesan Communities to rediscover or perpetuate the memory of extraordinary disciples of Christ who have left a living mark of the presence of the Risen Lord and who are still sure guides today in the common path towards God, protecting us and supporting us. To this end, pastoral directions and guidelines will eventually be drawn up and proposed to the Episcopal Conferences.

May the Saints, in whom the wonders of divine manifold grace shine forth, urge us to a more intimate communion with God and inspire us to sing the praises of the Most High with them.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 9 November, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.

FRANCIS

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Letter of the Holy Father for the remembrance in the particular Churches of their own Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God appeared first on ZENIT - English.

***

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

I greet Cardinal Semeraro with the other Superiors of the Dicastery, the officials, the consultors, the postulators, and all of you who have taken part in the Conference on the theme of martyrdom and the offering of life. It had as its guiding Word that of Jesus in the Gospel of John: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). And to canonize a martyr, miracles are not required. Martyrdom is enough; we thus save a little time, and paper, and money [Laughter].

And this giving of life for one’s friends is a Word that always instils comfort and hope. Indeed, on the evening of the Last Supper, the Lord speaks of the gift of self that would be consummated on the cross. Only love can make sense of the cross: a love so great that it has taken on all sin and forgives it, enters into our suffering and gives us the strength to bear it, enters even into death to overcome it and save us. In the Cross of Christ there is all of God’s love, there is his immense mercy.

To be a saint does not only require human effort or personal commitment to sacrifice and renunciation. First of all, we must allow ourselves to be transformed by the power of God’s love, which is greater than us and makes us capable of loving even beyond what we thought we were capable of. It is not by chance that the Second Vatican Council, with regard to the universal vocation to holiness, speaks of the “fullness of Christian life” and the “perfection of charity”, capable of promoting “a much more human manner of living … in this earthly society” (Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 40).

This perspective also enlightens your work for the causes of saints, a precious service it offers the Church, so that the sign of lived holiness, always relevant, may never be lacking.

During the Conference you reflected on two forms of canonized holiness: that of martyrdom and that of the offering of life. Since antiquity, believers in Jesus have held in great esteem those who had paid in person, with their own lives, their love of Christ and the Church. They made their tombs places of worship and prayer. They joined together, on the day of their birth to heaven, to consolidate the bonds of a fraternity that in the Risen Christ transcends the limits of death, however cruel and painful.

In the martyr we find the features of the perfect disciple, who imitated Christ in renouncing himself and taking on his own cross, and, transformed by his charity, showed to all the salvific power of his Cross. I am reminded of the martyrdom of those good Orthodox Libyans: they died saying “Jesus”. “But father, they were orthodox!”. They were Christians. They are martyrs, and the Church venerates them as her own martyrs. On this we must… With martyrdom there is equality. The same happens in Uganda, with the Anglican martyrs. They are martyrs! And the Church takes them all as martyrs.

In the context of the causes of saints, the Church’s common feeling has defined three fundamental elements of martyrdom, which always remain valid. The martyr is a Christian who – firstly – in order not to deny his faith, consciously suffers a violent and premature death. Even an unbaptized Christian, who is Christian at heart, confesses Jesus Christ at the Baptism of blood. Secondly, the killing is perpetrated by a persecutor, moved by hatred against the faith or another virtue connected to it; and thirdly, the victim assumes an unexpected attitude of charity, patience, meekness, in imitation of the crucified Jesus. What differs, in the various ages, is not the concept of martyrdom, but the concrete ways in which, in a specific historic context, it occurs.

Even today, in many parts of the world, there are many martyrs who give their life for Christ. In many cases Christianity is persecuted because, driven by faith in God, he defends justice, truth, peace, the dignity of the person. This implies, for those who study the various martyrdom events, that – as Venerable Pius XII taught, “sometimes moral certainty results only from a quantity of clues and proofs which, taken individually, are not worth founding a true certainty” – that harmony of knowledge – “and only when taken together do they leave no reasonable doubt in the mind of a man of sound judgement” (Address to the Roman Rota, 1 October 1942).

In the Bull of Indiction of the next Jubilee I defined that of the martyrs as the most convincing testimony of hope. This is why, within the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, I wanted to set up the Commission for the New Martyrs – Witnesses of the Faith, which, distinct from the treatment of the causes of martyrdom, would gather the memory of those who, even within the other Christian denominations, were able to give up their lives in order not to betray the Lord. And there are many, many of other denominations, who are martyrs.

The experience then of the Causes of Saints and the continuous confrontation with the concrete experience of believers led me, on 11 July 2017, to sign the Motu Proprio “Maiorem hac dilectionem”, with which I intended to express the common sense of the faithful People of God regarding the witness of holiness of those who, inspired by Christ’s charity, voluntarily offered their lives, accepting a certain and imminent death. Since it was a question of defining a new path for the causes of beatification and canonization, I established that there must be a connection between the offering of life and premature death, that the Servant of God had exercised the Christian virtues at least to an ordinary degree, and that, especially after his death, he was surrounded by the fame and signs of holiness.

What distinguishes the offer of life, in which the figure of the persecutor is missing, is the existence of an external, objectively assessable condition in which the disciple of Christ freely placed himself and which leads to death. Even in the extraordinary witness of this type of holiness, the beauty of the Christian life, which is able to make itself a gift without measure, like Jesus on the cross, shines forth.

Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you, I encourage you to carry out your work for the causes of saints with passion, and with generosity. I entrust you to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and all the witnesses of Christ, whose names are in the book of life. I bless you from my heart, and please, I ask you to pray for me. Thank you.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Two forms of canonized holiness deepened by the Pope: martyrdom and the offering of one’s life appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Central to the High Court’s decision was the issue of whether a church could bear indirect responsibility in the absence of an employment relationship between the priest and the diocese. The High Court found that vicarious liability typically applies to employer-employee relationships, and Victoria’s laws regarding institutional responsibility for abuse cases did not provide a foundation for extending such liability to the church in this case.

This ruling comes as a setback for DP, a man who came forward in 2021 with allegations that he had been abused by a priest when he was five years old in the town of Port Fairy, Victoria, approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Melbourne. The accused priest, identified by Australian media as Bryan Coffey, died in 2013, having previously received a three-year suspended sentence in an unrelated case involving sexual abuse of other minors.

The High Court’s decision follows widespread public scrutiny and legal efforts to hold institutions accountable for decades of abuse within Australia. The issue of institutional child abuse has been a contentious one in the country, culminating in a Royal Commission established in 2012 to investigate systemic failures in religious, public, and community organizations. The Royal Commission’s final report in 2017 documented a “national tragedy” with roughly 4,500 complaints of abuse from 1980 to 2015 involving nearly 1,900 priests, religious figures, and church affiliates.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Landmark ruling in Australia: Catholic church not indirectly guilty in case of priest involved in abuse appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, and Bishop Edward M. Lohse of Kalamazoo and a member of the same committee, facilitated the presentation of the cause to the bishops. With 205 votes in favor, 6 votes against, and 19 abstentions, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.

A brief biography of Dr. Gertrude Barber was provided by the Diocese of Erie:

Dr. Gertrude Agnes Barber was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on September 16, 1911. After the death of her father during the 1918 flu pandemic, her eldest brother left school to support the family, ensuring his siblings could continue their education – a sacrifice that had profound impact on Gertrude’s lifelong advocacy of education.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and began her career as a teacher in the Erie School District in 1931. While teaching, she continued her education, earning a master’s and doctoral degree in education, becoming a school psychologist and administrator. Her work with children with special needs profoundly impacted her and in 1952 she opened her first class for children with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Barber’s mission expanded throughout her career, opening the first home for children with disabilities in 1958. In 1971, she left the Erie School District to lead an organization serving individuals of all ages, providing care for children from 24 area school districts, adult training and job placement services, group homes and recreational programs, a retirement center for adults in their senior years, and mental health support services.

Dr. Barber passed away on April 29, 2000, but her legacy continues through the Barber National Institute, which provides services to thousands of children and adults with autism, intellectual, and physical disabilities and behavioral health challenges and their families across Pennsylvania.

The cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber was formally opened by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of Erie in December 2019.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post U.S. Bishops Affirm Advancement of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude Barber appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The agreement, which refers to the Document on Human Fraternity (4 February 2019), the encyclical  Fratelli tutti (3 October 2020), and the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Bahrain (3-6 November 2022),  aims to strengthen the relations between the Vatican and the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the goal of  establishing and fostering a mutually beneficial cultural and scientific collaboration.

On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Dr. Majed bin Ali Alnoaimi, Bahrain’s Minister of  Public Affairs, will sign the cooperation agreement with H.E. Mons. Angelo Vincenzo Zani, Archivist and  Librarian of the Holy Roman Church. The agreement will focus on supporting the design and  implementation of an innovative module to be used during conservation work, the cataloging and  preservation of Arabic cultural heritage held at the Vatican Apostolic Library, and the organization of joint  projects aimed at promoting and disseminating this precious cultural heritage that the Library preserves.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Muslim Kingdom of Bahrain to sponsor digitization of Arabic documents from Vatican Library appeared first on ZENIT - English.