Read & Reflect
Articles, reflections, news, and homilies — thoughtful Catholic content for the faithful, published regularly.
World News
World News
What’s at stake in Nigeria’s Church-state clash?
August is normally a quiet month for Catholic news. But not in Nigeria, which has just witnessed a significant clash between Church and state.Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, pictured in 2011. Credit: Chatham House/wikimedia CC BY 2.0.The dispute began, ironically, with a relatively cordial July 28...
World News
Vatican delegate makes changes for troubled IVE
The pontifical delegate to the beleaguered Institute of the Incarnate Word has announced a new general council, as part of Vatican efforts to reform the congregation, and a new website for the group, largely because Vatican-appointed officials had been unable to determine who was actually running th...
World News
German bishop is latest to step down early over ‘psychological strain’
A German diocesan bishop stepped down Wednesday at the age of 66, citing the “psychological strain” of office. He is the latest in a string of German prelates to offer their resignations well ahead of the customary age, suggesting the burdens of episcopal office are taking an increased toll in the c...
World News
Dear Piggy
One of the more pleasant accounts I follow on social media is by a “mudlark” -- someone who scavenges for lost and discarded items in a riverbank, especially on the river Thames.I enjoy the tidbits of information about history, culture, industry and fashion she shares along with photos of her finds;...
World News
What awaits Archbishop Gallagher in Russia?
The Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States is expected to embark next week on a highly sensitive foreign trip.Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, pictured in 2017. Credit: U.S. Department of State/wikimedia Public Domain.Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, often described as the Vatican’s “fore...
World News
Baseball and the ‘burden of peace’
“Baseball is like church; many attend, few understand.” Most often this quote is attributed to Leo Durocher, a long-time major league player and manager. The suggestion is that most people who go to a ball game do not really know much about the rules or strategy, just as few comprehend much theology...
World News
Why is the pope heading to San Marino?
Not many countries have played host to several popes over the years. Fewer nations still can say they were founded by a saint. And only one such country can boast of all that, with a population of only 35,000 people.But that’s San Marino — a tiny nation, with an unusually significant role in the his...
World News
Pius laws, works of art, and money for nothing
Pillar paid subscribers can listen to Ed read this Pillar Post here: The Pillar TL;DRHappy Friday friends,And a very happy feast of St. Pius X to all who celebrate. Well, to all of you who celebrate who aren’t in schism — those of you who are should repent and submit to the pope.It is interesting th...
World News
Expert says red flags missed in Pennsylvania priest theft case
An expert in parish financial misconduct told The Pillar that the recent arrest of a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest represents possibly the worst case he has encountered, and that numerous red flags were missed, which might have curtailed the priest’s alleged criminal activity well before he was ca...
World News
Hong Kong crackdown continues with new convictions, increased harassment
Two civil rights advocates were convicted Friday of national security crimes by a special court in Hong Kong, and now face up to a decade in prison. The convictions come as local clergy warn of increased harassment of Church officials in the territory.Image credit: Hong Kong government.Chow Hang-tun...
World News
The Friday Pillar Post - August 21, 2026
Written by Ed Condon and published August 21, 2026.ShareAre you a paying subscriber?Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phoneCheck the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar TL;DRHaving issues? Email our produce...
World News
NSW Catholic schools chief fired amid corruption inquiry
An organization overseeing almost 600 Catholic schools in the Australian state of New South Wales announced Friday that it had fired its chief executive, days after he appeared before a state corruption watchdog inquiry, and erased his phone and iPhone hard drives amid the corruption probe.Dallas Mc...