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Shalom World News, Philadelphia, PA (2026)

01/09/2026

Rise UP 2025, hosted by the Catholic Christian Outreach , brought hundreds of young people to Montreal from December 29 for four days of worship, prayer, and fellowship. The conference featured Eucharistic Adoration, confession, keynotes, and workshops, inviting young adults to live their faith with renewed purpose as they begin the new year.

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01/09/2026

Pope Leo issued a stark warning about the state of the world on January 9, cautioning that human rights and international law are increasingly under threat as nations turn away from diplomacy towards force and deterrence. Speaking to members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See during the annual New Year exchange of greetings, the Pope said that “war is back in vogue” and lamented a global mindset in which peace is sought through weapons rather than justice and dialogue. He warned that the post–Second World War principle prohibiting the use of force to violate national borders has been “completely undermined,” posing a grave danger to the rule of law and peaceful coexistence. Pope stressed that international humanitarian law must always prevail, regardless of military or strategic interests. He condemned attacks on civilians and essential infrastructure, including hospitals, homes, and energy facilities, insisting that human dignity and the sanctity of life must take precedence over national ambition. Addressing ongoing conflicts, the Pope renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in the Holy Land, reiterating support for a two-state solution. He also expressed concern over instability in regions including Haiti, Africa’s Great Lakes, Sudan, Myanmar, and parts of East Asia. The Pope further warned of a renewed arms race, noting the risks posed by nuclear weapons and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. He also raised alarms over shrinking freedom of expression, conscience, and religion, describing the persecution of Christians as one of the most widespread human rights crises today. Despite the gravity of his message, the holy Father urged world leaders to cultivate humility, dialogue, and forgiveness, insisting that peace remains difficult but achievable.

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01/09/2026

A proposed bill in Arizona has sparked concern among religious freedom advocates and Church leaders, as it would subject Catholic priests to felony charges if they refuse to violate the sacred seal of confession after learning of child abuse during the sacrament. The measure, House Bill 2039, was introduced in December 2025 by State Representative Anastasia Travers and is currently awaiting action in the Arizona House. Prefiled on December 4, the bill would amend state law to require priests to report abuse disclosed in confession when they have “reasonable suspicion” that the abuse is ongoing, will continue, or poses a threat to other minors. Under the proposal, failure to report such information would constitute a class 6 felony. In Arizona, that offense can carry penalties of up to $150,000 in fines and up to two years in prison. The bill is part of a broader national trend in which lawmakers in several US states have sought to include clergy within mandatory reporting laws, even when information is obtained during sacramental confession. Similar efforts have been proposed in recent years in Delaware, Vermont, Wisconsin, Montana, and California, though none have been enacted. A comparable measure was also introduced in Hungary in October 2025. In Washington state, a nearly identical law was blocked by a federal court in July 2025 on First Amendment grounds following widespread opposition from US Catholic bishops, Orthodox Christian leaders, civil liberties advocates, and the White House. The state ultimately abandoned the law in October. Catholic teaching holds the seal of confession as inviolable. Canon law states that it is “absolutely forbidden” for a priest to betray a penitent “for any reason.” Throughout Church history, priests have faced imprisonment and even death rather than break that sacred obligation.

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01/09/2026

Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will convene a second consistory of cardinals at the end of June, expressing his desire to make such gatherings a regular, annual feature of his pontificate. The Holy Father announced in his concluding address on Thursday afternoon at the third and final session of the current consistory, which brought together 170 cardinals, both electors and non-electors. The next consistory is expected to take place on June 27–28, on the vigil of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. According to the Pope, the two-day meeting will be held “in continuity” with the requests voiced during the general congregations that preceded the recent conclave, underscoring his commitment to ongoing consultation and shared discernment with the College of Cardinals. Pope Leo further indicated his intention to hold annual consistories, with future meetings expected to last three to four days. He had already hinted at this direction in remarks delivered the previous day, describing the current consistory as a “prefiguration of our future journey,” suggesting a sustained process of dialogue and collaboration in the Church's governance. In the same address, the Pope also confirmed plans for the Ecclesial Assembly scheduled for October 2028, which was announced last March. The confirmation reinforces his emphasis on continuity, synodality, and structured reflection as the Church looks towards the future.

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01/09/2026

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication has unveiled a heartfelt prayer campaign, inviting Catholics everywhere to join Pope Leo in prayer for the world’s most pressing challenges. Titled “Pray with the Pope,” this initiative builds on the legacy of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and the popular “The Pope’s Video,” which brought people together each month to pray for a shared intention. Now, the campaign goes further, offering a special prayer from Leo XIV himself each month to encourage a deeper, more peaceful encounter with Christ. Fr. Cristobal Fones, international director of the Prayer Network, described the initiative as a chance for a shared spiritual journey that can transform lives from within. He explained that this new phase is designed to nurture spiritual experiences, especially when daily life feels overwhelming and noisy. The pope, he said, understands these struggles and wants to help by inviting everyone to pray together for one another. With its simple, welcoming format, “Pray with the Pope” makes it easy for anyone, anywhere, to unite with the Holy Father’s intentions. This year, the campaign begins with a call to “learn to pray with the most definitive Word, which is not our own, so full of empty promises, but Jesus Christ'.

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01/09/2026

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, on January 7, called for prayers and calm after a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a US citizen in Minneapolis. According to officials, 37-year-old Renee Good was killed following an altercation in south Minneapolis, with reports indicating the officer fired into her vehicle as she tried to drive away while agents surrounded her. In his statement, Archbishop Hebda urged people of goodwill to pray for the victim, her loved ones, and the wider community. He emphasized the urgent need to lower heated rhetoric, avoid fear-driven speculation, and recognize the dignity of every person. Hebda also echoed the US Catholic bishops' call for the nation to unite and enact meaningful, just immigration reform for all. He warned that continued political inaction only deepens division and violence. Referring to a recent statement from the US bishops, Hebda stressed that true peace in communities, the state, and the world can only be achieved by working together with God's guidance.

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01/09/2026

Once envisioned by communists as the first “church-free city” in former Czechoslovakia, Neratovice may soon become home to the world’s largest 3D-printed church, marking a powerful reversal of history and ideology. The proposed Church of the Holy Trinity and Cardinal Josef Beran Community Centre will feature a tower constructed using cutting-edge 3D-printing technology. Engineers are currently assessing whether the entire structure can be printed, with final decisions dependent on calculations related to the building’s vault. The project is supported by a foundation established by the Archdiocese of Prague, which has jurisdiction over Neratovice. Designed by award-winning architect Zdeněk Fránek, the church draws inspiration from Noah’s Ark. The design consists of 520 generatively designed 3D-printed blocks assembled like a puzzle, forming a wave-like structure that also enhances acoustics. Both the church and community centre are planned as energy-efficient buildings, featuring green roofs, rainwater retention systems, and surrounding public amenities, including a park, pond, and children’s playground. The foundation stone was blessed in 2024 by Archbishop Jan Graubner of Prague, and the project has attracted national attention. Forbes Czech Republic described the future church as an “exceptional” structure with the potential to reshape modern construction. For the industrial town of Neratovice, founded by the communist regime in 1957 and home to about 16,000 people, the church carries deep symbolic weight. Named after Cardinal Josef Beran, a steadfast witness to the faith who endured N**i imprisonment and communist exile and whose beatification cause is underway, the church stands as a lasting sign of faith reclaimed where it was once deliberately suppressed. The Czech Republic formally banned the promotion of communism in January 2026.

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01/08/2026

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Mark Freeman as the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat, Australia. Fr Freeman, 66, currently serves as parish priest in Bellerive–Lindisfarne in the Archdiocese of Hobart. He will succeed Bishop Paul Bird CSsR, who has led the Diocese since 2012. Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the Catholic community in Ballarat would welcome the announcement with joy and hope. Archbishop Anthony Ireland of Hobart described Fr Freeman as ‘one of Tasmania’s finest’. Fr Freeman will be ordained and installed as Bishop of Ballarat in March. Further details will be provided soon.

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01/08/2026

As England and Wales are witnessing a surge in the number of people joining the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Southwark is launching a milestone apologetics project offering evidence-based answers to address questions raised by existing and newly joined Catholics. This innovative project, named 'Ambassadors for Christ', is the first of its kind in a Catholic diocese in England and Wales, and it aims to lead the faithful to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. The project will answer fundamental questions of faith, including "Is Jesus God?" or "How do we know God is real?" along with Catholic specific questions such as "Why do Catholics make the Sign of the Cross?" or "What is happening during Mass?" Besides addressing burning questions, the project also provides a reliable resource for teaching the Catholic faith. Announcing the launch of the project, Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark, said: "As someone who converted to Catholicism as a teenager myself, I know what it is like to search for answers, to thirst for the truth which only the Lord Jesus offers. Every day, people are searching for the same answers I did, thirsting for the truth I found, and it is our job to guide them on the right path.”

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01/08/2026

The Catholic bishops of Scotland have sharply criticized new legislation establishing so-called “buffer zones” around abortion facilities, warning that it poses a serious threat to freedom of speech, religious expression, and conscience. The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 creates exclusion zones of up to 200 meters around 30 abortion facilities across Scotland. Within these zones, any conduct deemed to “influence” a person’s decision about accessing abortion services may be treated as a criminal offense. In a statement issued on January 6, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said the law is “disproportionate and undemocratic,” arguing that it goes far beyond preventing harassment or intimidation. While reaffirming that the Church does not condone threatening behavior, the bishops said such actions were not the true target of the legislation. The Scottish government has identified several activities that could breach the law, including silent vigils, handing out leaflets, religious preaching, and approaching individuals to offer alternative viewpoints. The bishops said it was “unsettling” that the first charge under the law occurred during the Christmas season, marking what they described as a troubling milestone for civil liberties. In December 2025, 74-year-old Rose Docherty was charged after being arrested earlier in Glasgow while standing silently outside Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, holding a sign that read: “Coercion is a crime; here to talk, only if you want.” The bishops also expressed concern that the law’s scope extends into private homes within designated zones. They warned that a pro-life poster displayed in a window, a conversation overheard, or even a prayer said inside one’s home could, in principle, be subject to criminal sanction. Such provisions, they said, risk restricting democratic debate and eroding Scotland’s commitment to freedom of expression and belief.

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