U.S.
Experts: Dialogue, listening and the power of prayer key to Christian unity
SCRANTON, Pa. — Dialogue, listening and the power of prayer are key to forging Christian unity, Catholic experts said. Christians throughout the world will mark the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25. The annual observance, formally instituted in 1968 by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches, traces its roots to the 18th century, with Pentecostal, Anglican and Catholic clergy all promoting prayers over the intervening decades to restore bonds among believers. With the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea taking place this year — and with the recent conclusion of the Synod on Synodality — ecumenical efforts are receiving extra impetus. “With regard to the recent synod the Holy Father concluded, the work of Christian unity could not be more significant,” said Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. “At the heart of synodality, we have an invitation to dialogue, an invitation to listen with care — to respect the perspectives of one another, both within our own Church, and certainly in our relationships with other Christian communities.” (OSV News)
Texas Cardinal DiNardo retires; Bishop Vásquez named successor
WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and named as his successor Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas. Cardinal DiNardo has headed the Texas archdiocese since 2006, and a year later Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the College of Cardinals. On May 23, 2024, he turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope. The cardinal is a former president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Vásquez, 67, has headed the Diocese of Austin since 2010. Additionally, he served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas from November 2023 to December 2024. The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington Jan. 20 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Of Mexican American descent, Archbishop Vásquez is one of 26 active Hispanic Catholic bishops in the U.S. (OSV News)
WORLD
Amid the uncertainty, residents of Syria’s historic Christian town ‘frightened’
MAALOULA, Syria — Maaloula, a small, historic, Christian-majority town in Syria, is facing a fragile security situation after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. Once peaceful and home to Aramaic speakers — a language Jesus Himself spoke — the town’s stability is now threatened by the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — the Islamic rebels ruling Syria. Security infrastructure has been damaged, and many residents have fled. Fearing the return of fighters linked to al-Qaida’s Nusra Front, locals are uneasy. A recent incident involving a Muslim looter being killed in self-defense by a Christian led to tensions, but a local Melkite Greek Catholic priest, Father Fadi Barki, diffused the situation by handing the man over to authorities. Despite the challenges, Father Barki continues to advocate for peace, urging the authorities to return checkpoints and secure the town. With diplomatic pressure and local efforts, Maaloula’s residents remain hopeful for a peaceful future, focusing on rebuilding rather than reliving the past. (OSV News)
U.S. declares genocide in Sudan as country undergoes ‘unimaginable’ suffering
KHARTOUM, Sudan — The U.S. has declared genocide in Sudan amid brutal civil war, marking the second time in two decades the term has been used for the country. On Jan. 7, Secretary of State Antony Blinken sanctioned Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces, for orchestrating systematic atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence against civilians, especially targeting ethnic groups. This comes as Sudan faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with over 638,000 people facing famine and millions displaced. The war, which began in April 2023 between RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces, has led to over 24,000 deaths and widespread suffering. Church leaders in Sudan have remained cautious about publicly commenting on the genocide declaration, fearing it could harm their ability to provide aid. Father Andrew Kaufa of AMECEA urged that humanitarian access be prioritized to help the suffering population. In addition to famine, Sudan is battling a cholera outbreak, with over 5,000 cases reported. Despite the U.S. sanctions targeting one faction, Blinken emphasized that both sides share responsibility for the violence. International and Church efforts continue to urge an end to the conflict and to address the urgent humanitarian crisis. (OSV News)
French bishops officially request state prosecutors to investigate case of Abbé Pierre
PARIS — The president of the French bishops’ conference has formally requested an investigation into Abbé Pierre, following new sexual assault allegations against the once-iconic priest. Abbé Pierre, who founded the Emmaus Community for the poor, was accused of sexual abuse committed from the 1970s to the early 2000s, with new reports including the rape of a minor. The Emmaus movement has confirmed the allegations with a commission of independent experts. The French bishops’ conference expressed deep sorrow, condemning the actions of Abbé Pierre, once a beloved figure, and the institutions that allowed them to continue — and not only the Church. The account of abuse by Abbé Pierre is “horrifying,” the French bishops said Jan. 13. The Church has opened its archives to assist investigations and revealed that Church officials were aware of Abbé Pierre’s behavior as early as the 1950s but failed to intervene. Locations associated with Abbé Pierre are being renamed, and the Abbé Pierre Foundation is rebranding itself. Over 30 verified testimonials published in recent months reveal the usual strategies of manipulation, pressure and blackmail used by Abbé Pierre to lure his victims. (OSV News)
