U.S.
Rural Kansas parish holds prayer vigil for priest killed by gunman
SENECA, Kan. — Hundreds gathered at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca, Kansas, on the evening of April 3 to mourn the death of Father Arul Carasala, 57. The beloved pastor was fatally shot earlier that afternoon at the parish rectory. Father Carasala, who was rushed to a local hospital, died from his injuries. Authorities arrested 66-year-old Gary Hermesch from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in connection with the shooting. He was booked into jail on first-degree murder but had yet to be formally charged. The community came together for a prayer vigil led by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, with eight priests from the region concelebrating Mass. In brief remarks, Father Joel Haug, pastor of three parishes, told those gathered, “These are the moments we really need to be there for each other.” Of Father Carasala, he said, “He loves you all. He will continue to love you.” Archbishop Naumann reflected on Father Carasala’s dedication to the church and its congregation. (OSV News)
Disgraced former cardinal McCarrick dies at 94
Theodore E. McCarrick, the former cardinal whose clerical career ended in disgrace amid decades of abuse allegations, died April 3 at age 94. Once a prominent figure in the U.S. Catholic Church and a skilled Vatican fundraiser, McCarrick served as archbishop of Washington from 2001 to 2006. The Vatican removed him from ministry in 2018 following a credible abuse allegation involving a minor. Further reports revealed long-standing accusations of abuse against both minors and adults, including seminarians and priests, with some cases resulting in settlements. In 2019, Pope Francis laicized McCarrick after a canonical trial found him guilty of abusing power and committing sexual abuse. A 2020 Vatican report detailed systemic failures that allowed McCarrick’s rise despite warnings. Facing criminal charges in two states, McCarrick was deemed unfit for trial due to dementia. (OSV News)
Pope Francis appoints new archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, and named Bishop William Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City, Missouri, as his successor. The resignation and appointment were announced by the Vatican on April 8. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was installed as the fourth archbishop and the 11th bishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City on Jan. 15, 2005. On June 4, 2024, he turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope. Archbishop McKnight, 56, has headed the Diocese of Jefferson City since February 2018, when he was ordained bishop. He was executive director of the Office for Clergy and Consecrated Life of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops between 2010 and 2015. The pope also appointed Bishop Bruce Alan Lewandowski, CSsR, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, as the new bishop of Providence, Rhode Island. The previous bishop of Providence, Bishop Richard Henning, was installed as Archbishop of Boston in October. (OSV News)
WORLD
Pope sends papal almoner to deliver ambulances funded by U.S. Catholics
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, was driving one of four ambulances donated to Ukraine with the help of U.S. Catholics. With Easter approaching, Pope Francis wanted to make a concrete gesture to show his closeness to “tormented Ukraine,” the dicastery said in a press release April 7. The pope wanted to send his papal almoner to Ukraine to deliver four ambulances that are fully equipped with medical instruments needed to save lives, it said. The ambulances, which bear the coat of arms of Vatican City State, “will be destined for war zones.” The cardinal was assisted by three other drivers who came from Ukraine, the press release said. It will be the Polish cardinal’s 10th mission to the war-torn nation as a special envoy sent by Pope Francis, and he was to remain in Ukraine for a few days “to be with the people so tried by the conflict, to pray with them and to be an expression of the pope’s closeness.” The ambulances were purchased with donations provided by U.S. Catholics through Cross Catholic Outreach. (CNS)
Two women religious murdered in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Two women religious were murdered March 31 by armed gangs in the city of Mirebalais, Haiti, as long-standing violence continues to further destabilize that nation. Sister Evanette Onezaire and Sister Jeanne Voltaire of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus were in Mirebalais when armed gangs launched an attack. The sisters, who had been on a mission to the city, took refuge with other civilians but were discovered by gang members and slain. The deaths of Sister Evanette and Sister Jeanne were reported by Aid to the Church in Need, which since 1947 has worked under papal guidance to serve persecuted Catholics. ACN communicated directly with Archbishop Max Leroy Mésidor of Port-au-Prince, who told the organization in an April 2 message that Haiti — riven by multiple, sustained crises such as political instability, natural disasters, foreign intervention and international debt — “is burning and requires urgent help.” (OSV News)
British Church steps up opposition to assisted suicide bill
OXFORD, England — Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, is urging opposition to a draft assisted suicide bill, calling it deeply flawed and rushed. In a pastoral letter to be read in churches on April 6, Cardinal Nichols expressed concerns over the lack of proper scrutiny and safeguards, emphasizing the sanctity of every human life. The bill, which would allow physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill individuals, is set for a crucial reading in British Parliament on April 25. Critics, including the Catholic Church, argue the measure puts individual autonomy above ethical concerns and could lead to unintended consequences. The government has reportedly agreed to delay implementation until 2029, amid growing opposition. (OSV News)
Ailing pope surprises pilgrims during Jubilee of the sick
VATICAN CITY — With thousands of infirmed people and those who care for them gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis made an unexpected appearance to greet the crowd. “A happy Sunday to you all, many thanks!” the pope said to them with a strained voice. Appearing at the end of the closing Mass of the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers April 6, the pope shocked the thousands gathered in the square who broke out in cheers upon seeing his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, wheel him out of St. Peter’s Basilica and into the square. The appearance marks the first time Pope Francis had been seen in public since he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23 after more than five weeks of treatment for breathing difficulties and double pneumonia. Prior to appearing in the square, Pope Francis went to confession in St. Peter’s Basilica and passed through the Holy Door, the Vatican press office said. (CNS)
