Never enough killing, never enough money. In what we call “the Holy Land,” the last Christian village is threatened by settlers. In Gaza, a five-year old girl survives an Israeli military attack that killed her family — but is later found dead nearby the bodies of two medical workers who tried to help her. In searching for wisdom, a writer concludes that the death of one child “should have been enough.” African Catholic clergy say Israeli action is genocide, and silence is no longer an option.
Before the grim news, Justice Bulletin Board
Barbara Molinari Quinby points out that “Taking care of the garden is the very first job that God gave humans to do” (Genesis 2:15). We are at the beginning of the Season of Creation that runs from the World Day of Prayer for Creation (September 1) to the Feast of St. Francis (October 4), patron saint “of those who promote ecology.”
Israel-Gaza
As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land. From Religion News Service.
The death of five-year-old Hind Rajab killed in Gaza “should have been enough.” Published by Religion News Service. The little girl was killed while pleading for help in a car with her six dead relatives. On Wednesday (Aug. 19), the Israeli military acknowledged for the first time its firing on the car.
Cardinal Stephen Brislin joins African clergy in calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide. Drawing on Africa’s experience of apartheid, genocide and war, Brislin and nine other Catholic clergy say Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide — and argue silence is no longer an option.
Never enough money
A writer in the Christian Century probes Christian wisdom: How much is too much? In the fourth century, Basil of Caesarea argued that wealth doesn’t just tempt the rich. At some point it warps their ability to see the world at all.
An outrage: ICE spied
The Department of Homeland Security, probing anti-ICE activists, spied on at least five Midwest churches, court records indicate. Religion News Service reports church leaders were outraged and vowed to continue their advocacy for immigrants.
Springfield’s Haitian immigrants vanish after losing TPS protection. From Baptist News Global.
Ohio churches line up families to care for Haitian kids left behind. In Springfield, Ohio, ICE shifts tactics to stealth raids and ankle monitors. Churches are responding by helping Haitian parents line up temporary caregivers, preparing for the worst. From Religion News Service.
Religious, military battlegrounds
Myanmar military strike kills 14 people at a Buddhist monastery, an opposition group says, reported by the Associated Press and published by Religion News Service. The attack is the latest in a series of frequent and deadly aerial strikes targeting armed pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups in the country. The strikes often cause civilian casualties.
A grenade blast near a school complex in the Afghan capital wounds at least 42 children, the UN says, reported by the Associated Press and published by Religion News Service. The U.N. mission known as UNAMA also called for an investigation to establish the circumstances of the explosion.
From the Associated Press. Mass protests over proposed changes to the exemption from the military draft for ultra-Orthodox men highlight the most contentious issue as the country approaches three years of war on multiple fronts — and national elections where ultra-Orthodox parties are likely to be kingmakers.
Christian Nationalism, white supremacy
Christian nationalism, a worldview that sees the United States as a Christian nation and believes that Christianity should have a privileged role in American civic life, has been shown to be related to a host of social attitudes. From Religion News Service.
From Baptist News Global: “Christian Crusaders create chaos in Minneapolis.”
A Muslim educator and a rabbi agree: “One ideology threatens us both.” From Religion News Service. White supremacy does not distinguish between the communities it seeks to intimidate. Our resistance shouldn’t distinguish between them, either.
Arizona defines ‘Confession’
Just shy of two weeks after ruling on clergy-penitent privilege, the Arizona Supreme Court issued another unanimous decision Aug. 12 setting a legal precedent for what qualifies in the state as “confession,” again creating legal implications for the Catholic Church’s confessional seal. From National Catholic Reporter.
Church and City
The City of Quincy, Mass., may not install two statues of Christian saints in front of its public safety building, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled. From Baptist News Global.
The ‘T’ in LGBTQ
Log Cabin Republicans say they will be an LGB organization, no longer an LGBT organization. From Baptist News Global.
OPINION “I shook hands with a transgender woman, and I’m fine.” Personal reflection, from Baptist News Global. “I knew Isabella when she was Tony.”
New book ‘A Nation Wrestles With God’
A writer at Religion News Service traces religious dialogue through our history. Wrestling — with the divine, with morality — “might well be America’s most sustained pastime.”
Black hero may be demoted
The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering removing the name of Doris “Dorie” Miller, one of America’s most important World War II heroes, from the future Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81. CNN reported Navy officials are considering renaming the carrier, possibly to honor President Donald Trump instead. From Baptist News Global.
Opinion: ‘Missing Black children deserve national attention’
Megan Black, writing for Baptist News Global, says “Many white Americans are questioning — even resenting — the continued focus by Black America on the disappearance and death of Nolan Wells. To them, he’s just a teenager who made some bad choices. To us, he’s another Black child who mysteriously disappeared and later was found deceased.”
Speculating: Leo’s first cardinals
The first American Pope has yet to appoint his inaugural batch of cardinals? Analysis from National Catholic Register.
‘A self-sufficient monastic farm’
Although its history goes back centuries, the community of Boulaur Abbey began attracting international attention in 2020, when it embarked on the ambitious project of rebuilding a Cistercian grange — a self-sufficient monastic farm modeled on those that dotted Europe with thriving enterprises at the height of the Cistercian order’s medieval expansion. From National Catholic Register.
Coffee and Catholic Culture
Coffee has long been part of Catholic culture, bringing people together in cafés and parish halls around the world. In this special report, the National Catholic Register explores coffee’s Catholic connection from its rich history to its place in Catholic life today.
Fashion news
Christendom College Alumna Seeks to Restore Beauty and Truth to the Fashion Industry. That’s the headline of a feature in the National Catholic Register. “Fashion [is] actually a unique expression of man’s rational and social nature.”
Pope Leo: One of the Blues Brothers
While visiting the Italian city of Rimini for the 47th annual “Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples” Pope Leo XIV received an unexpected gift: a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses similar to a pair he sported as a young seminarian, when he was dressed up as a member of “The Blues Brothers.” From National Catholic Reporter.
Pope going to France
The National Catholic Reporter asks, “What will Pope Leo tell France’s surging Catholic converts?” Catholicism in France has been in decline for decades, but Pope Leo XIV will encounter a very different challenge during his September visit to the nation long considered “the eldest daughter of the church,” namely, how to respond to a surge of young people seeking to join its ranks.
Lourdes bans Society of St. Pius X Masses, covers Rupnik art ahead of pope’s visit to France. From National Catholic Reporter.
Papal appointments
Pope Leo names 3 Notre Dame-affiliated experts to advise major Vatican office. From National Catholic Reporter.
Pope Leo appoints K of C leader Patrick Kelly as a member of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life on Aug. 25. From EWTN News.
Papal disappointment
San Antonio priest laicized, excommunicated after calling Popes Francis and Leo ‘usurpers.’ From National Catholic Reporter.
‘Forgotten power of fatherhood’
OPINION: Notre Dame’s John Cavadini taught the forgotten power of fatherhood. The university’s Catholic think tank is shifting leadership and was formed by a man who modeled the best of fatherhood and masculinity. From Religion News Service.
‘Hope endures’ in Venezuela
Venezuelan archbishop says hope endures as church rebuilds from catastrophic quakes. From National Catholic Reporter.
OPINION from Michael Sean Winters
The Democratic blue wave is getting taller, published by the National Catholic Reporter.
Games from Religion News Service
A word game, news quiz, crossword puzzle, news mix: Four games — fun and free.
Chinese Valentine’s Day
We missed it; it was August 19 in 2026. The observance is rooted in legend and tradition, not just romance. The Associated Press reports the festival is observed on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar.
Priests are wearing cassocks again. Should you care?
From America Magazine, a thoughtful piece. (Do you prefer the Roman or the semi-Jesuit version?)
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