Read & Reflect
Articles, reflections, news, and homilies — thoughtful Catholic content for the faithful, published regularly.
World News
World News
Rupnik rumors - and what might come next
Rumors began circulating in Rome Monday that the canonical trial of former Jesuit Fr. Marko Rupnik had come to a conclusion, without a conviction on the unspecified canonical crimes now being litigated through the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.Fr. Marko Rupnik. Pillar file photo....
World News
Report highlights ‘startling disconnect’ between seminary formators, psychological experts
A new report highlights the growing mental health challenges that seminarians face and the need for better psychological care in seminaries. The report, from the University of Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life, also calls for bishops to focus on the quality of seminarians, rather than t...
World News
Going nowhere, papal holidays, and merchants in the temple
Pillar paid subscribers can listen to Ed read this Pillar Post here: The Pillar TL;DRHappy Friday friends,I am supposed to be going on vacation this evening, through at least next week. I say supposed to be because the plans are a bit up in the air right now.My version of a break consists of repairi...
World News
Why did Cardinal Zuppi return to Ukraine?
Vatican peace envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi returned to Ukraine this week for a four-day humanitarian mission.Cardinal Matteo Zuppi lays flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kyiv on July 15, 2026. Credit: Screenshot from @12porte YouTube channel.Zuppi, the president of the I...
World News
Building a culture of vocations — the strategy behind diocesan vocational success
In 2026, the Church in the United States saw 9% fewer priestly ordinations than it had 10 years earlier.According to the best numbers available, 342 men were ordained diocesan priests for U.S. dioceses this year. While that number represents a slight uptick from years prior, it also signifies a decl...
World News
Switzerland ends exemptions to mandatory military service for clergy
A new law in Switzerland that will end military service exemptions for clergy has drawn criticism from Christian groups in the country.Credit: Michael Derrer Fuchs / Shutterstock.ShareSwitzerland requires all able-bodied men to complete about eight months of military service, typically between ages...
World News
The SSPX’s unappealing canonical prospects for recourse
The Society of St. Pius X announced Monday that an appeal has been filed against the July 2 decree which declared six bishops to be excommunicated.A screenshot from the July 1 illicit consecration of SSPX bishops. Credit: SSPX News/YouTube.In an unsigned notice to media, released via the SSPX websit...
World News
Rome diocese to hold collection for Venezuela earthquake victims
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar of the Diocese of Rome, has announced that the pope’s diocese will join an Italian bishops’ conference initiative to hold a national collection for Venezuelan earthquake victims.Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar of the Diocese of Rome. Credit: Screenshot from @Diocesi...
World News
Who could be Leo’s pick for Secretary of State, whenever it comes?
One of the remaining great unknowns of the Leonine pontificate is when the pope could choose to replace the heads of Vatican departments remaining from the Francis papacy.Pope Leo XIV and Caridnal Pietro Parolin. Credit: Vatican media.At the largest and most influential of these, the Secretariat of...
World News
Asian bishops are warning about Korea’s Naju shrine. Here’s why
The Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines urged Catholics Monday not to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Naju in South Korea.Julia Kim, the alleged visionary associated with the Naju shrine in South Korea. Credit: Screenshot from @NajuMary YouTube channel.Philippines bishops’ conference president Ar...
World News
Ontario police investigating $600,000 in missing parish funds
Police are investigating the apparent theft of more than $600,000 from a parish in Ontario, and the pastor has been removed from ministry while the investigation takes place.Subscribe nowFather David Collins, O.F.M. Conv., has served as pastor at St. John Parish in the Archdiocese of Kingston since...
World News
Spanish cardinal steps back over investigation
Spanish Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, SDB, Archbishop of Rabat, Morocco, said Monday that he will temporarily step back from public ministry, amid a Vatican investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior toward at least five women.Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, SDB. Credit: Vat...