The Friends of Thomas Merton
January 31, 2023
Christian quarter targeted as Jerusalem spirals into weekend of violence
Following a rampage of a radical Jewish gang in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City on the evening of Jan. 26, the Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land called on political and religious authorities to bring civil and religious life in Jerusalem back to “greater serenity.
Former priest Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life, faces sexual misconduct allegations
(OSV News) — Embattled former priest and pro-life activist Frank Pavone is facing accusations of sexual misconduct that took place prior to his laicization in November 2022. Pavone, national director of the nonprofit Priests for Life, was the subject of …
In interview, pope says criticism is annoying, but can be helpful
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Public criticism by cardinals and bishops is annoying — “like a rash that bothers you a bit,” Pope Francis said — but differences need to be aired and criticism can be helpful, he told the Associated …
Monterey Park shooting a ‘gut punch’ for L.A.’s Chinese Catholics
LOS ANGELES (OSV News) — Local Chinese Catholics celebrating the start of the Lunar New Year at Chinatown’s Catholic parish also prayed for the victims of the mass shooting in nearby Monterey Park the night of Jan. 21. “We pray …
Vatican funding for charitable works totals $10.7 million in 2022; $2.2 million alone goes to needs in Ukraine
KRAKOW, Poland (OSV News) — It was a sunny day in Rome Jan. 13 when a truck was fully loaded with supplies. Thermal clothing, power generators and food were put inside with the help of a papal official: Cardinal Konrad …
March for Life holds first national event after overturn of Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Tens of thousands of pro-life advocates descended upon the nation’s capital for the 50th March for Life Jan. 20 — the first national march since the overturn of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade …
‘He is the only hope we have,’ say refugees in South Sudan about pope’s visit
Pope Francis is taking off for the African continent Jan. 31 for a historic and long-awaited apostolic trip to Congo and South Sudan, countries longing for peace and stability.