U.S.
Indianapolis Archdiocese probes parish’s alleged eucharistic miracle
INDIANAPOLIS — The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is investigating a possible eucharistic miracle at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Morris, Indiana, following an incident in late February. The archdiocesan Office of Communications confirmed the investigation aided by a professional scientific lab, but declined further comment. According to social media posts by the Catholic group Corpus Christi for Unity and Peace, a woman reported seeing blood on two consecrated hosts that had fallen on the floor. After being placed in water to dissolve, the next day, the hosts appeared to have a thin layer of skin with blood on it, according to the woman’s claims. Photos of the hosts, taken by the woman, were shared online. Father Terry Donahue, a scientific expert on eucharistic miracles, explained that new Vatican guidelines require the local bishop to notify the Holy See and national episcopal conference at the beginning of an investigation and to ensure the specimens are carefully preserved for further examination. (OSV News)
Trump administration terminates U.S. bishops’ refugee resettlement contract
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration “immediately terminated” its contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for refugee resettlement, effective Feb. 27. The bishops were notified of the contract’s termination in two Feb. 26 letters sent by U.S. Department of State comptroller Joseph G. Kouba to Anthony Granado, the USCCB’s associate general secretary for policy and advocacy. Chieko Noguchi, executive director of the USCCB’s Office of Public Affairs, confirmed the cancellation in an Feb. 28 email. The contract had been suspended by the administration Jan. 24, just four days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. The program was established by Congress in 1980 to formalize the process by which refugees vetted and approved by the U.S. government are legally resettled in the U.S. through partnerships with federal agencies, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations such as the Catholic Church. The USCCB filed a lawsuit against the administration Feb. 18. (OSV News)
‘Unity, rooted in truth’ can stop evil, Archbishop Gudziak says
PHILADELPHIA — “Unity rooted in truth has the power to stop evil,” said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and head of the nation’s Ukrainian Catholics, following a tense televised Feb. 28 exchange at the White House among U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Ukraine does not seek pity; it asks for support to protect its people, its cities and villages, to defend the truth about humanity, to defend God’s truth,” Metropolitan Gudziak said in a statement issued that day. “Ukraine needs unity of people — of every nation and every citizen — to establish a just peace, a peace Ukrainians long for more than anyone and for which they are making the ultimate sacrifice.” (OSV News)
WORLD
Pope establishes commission to boost donations to the Holy See
VATICAN CITY — “To support the service of the Apostolic See and considering the current economic situation,” Pope Francis established a permanent Vatican commission dedicated to boosting donations to the Holy See through targeted campaigns. The newly created “Commission of Donations for the Holy See” will “encourage donations by means of special campaigns among the faithful, episcopal conferences and other potential benefactors, emphasizing their importance for the mission and the charitable works of the apostolic see,” read a decree instituting the commission. Signed by the pope and dated Feb. 11, three days before Pope Francis was hospitalized, the decree was released by the Vatican Feb. 26. The commission also will “find funding from willing donors for specific projects presented by the institutions of the Roman Curia and the Governorate of Vatican City State,” the decree said. Additionally, the commission will coordinate other existing avenues of fundraising for the Holy See. (CNS)
Catholic NGO warns foreign aid pause could harm efforts combating Christian persecution
WASHINGTON — A pause on U.S. foreign aid could harm efforts to combat Christian persecution around the globe, a Catholic NGO said. Shortly after his second inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing most U.S. foreign assistance. That order remains the subject of litigation, but NGOs carrying out U.S. foreign aid work received stop-work orders. Among them was Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, which works with refugees and other forcibly displaced people. JRS/USA President Kelly Ryan said the group has been a recipient of funds from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. “We really believe that our activities are lifesaving and critical,” Ryan said. Some of the programs impacted by the cut are designed to combat anti-Christain persecution, which is among top reasons why people become refugees. “So we can’t end persecution overnight,” Ryan said, “but the United States has incredibly powerful foreign assistance tools at its disposal that it should deploy.” (OSV News)
