The Jewish New Year celebrations in Jerusalem this October were overshadowed by the anniversary of a violent attack by Hamas on Israel. The recent violence on October 1, which resulted in seven deaths and 16 injuries in Tel Aviv, added to the somber mood. Israeli authorities described the incident as a "combined shooting and stabbing attack" targeting public transportation users.
This week, OSV News reported on various significant events and developments. A team from OSV News traveled to Rome for the "Synod on Synodality," which commenced on October 2. The synod involves 368 members who began with a two-day retreat, culminating in a penitential liturgy on October 1. The official opening took place with a Mass at St. Peter's Square, and the event will continue until October 27.
Pope Francis has announced the creation of 21 new cardinals, with the ceremony set for December 8. This diverse group includes a range of ages and nationalities, highlighting the global nature of the Catholic Church. Among those named are a 99-year-old former nuncio and a 44-year-old Ukrainian bishop.
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The conflict in the Middle East has reached a grim milestone, marking one year since Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostages. The ongoing violence has been described by Pope Francis as “a spiral of violence,” with escalations affecting various regions including the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Late on September 27, as Tropical Storm Helene left its mark on North Carolina's mountains, Father John Putnam of St. Mark Church in Huntersville initiated a call for supplies. His message to his staff highlighted the urgent need for essentials like diapers, canned goods, and water.
As the Jewish community observes Rosh Hashanah amid ongoing conflict and rising antisemitism, two New York religious leaders have issued a message of support. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn released a joint statement on October 4, addressing the somber atmosphere during what should be a time of celebration.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the need for a pragmatic and orderly approach to immigration policy during a conference on migration held on September 30. The event was co-hosted by Catholic organizations.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre has reached a preliminary $323 million settlement in its bankruptcy case, which involves around 500 sex abuse claims. This settlement introduces a novel strategy where parishes are required to declare an "abbreviated bankruptcy." According to the diocese, this process is expected to be resolved within 48 hours of filing and aims to secure a release from liability without closing any parishes.
President Joe Biden has extended restrictions on asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, which officials attribute to a decrease in illegal crossings. Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, acknowledged the efforts to resettle refugees, calling it part of the church's consistent ethic of life.
Discussions about family size have become more prominent as U.S. birth rates reach historic lows. Catherine Pakaluk, an economist and associate professor at The Catholic University of America, has explored this topic in her new book "Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth." In a conversation with OSV News’ Charlie Camosy, Pakaluk shared insights from her research on American women who choose to have large families.
The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, has called for "fervent prayer" to bring an end to the ongoing violence in the Holy Land. This call comes as the conflict between Israel and Hamas approaches its first anniversary, with fears of it expanding into a broader regional conflict.
The Georgia Supreme Court has reinstated the state's six-week abortion ban, pending an appeal review. The decision on October 7 comes after a lower court had previously struck down the law. This development follows ongoing litigation over Georgia's "heartbeat law," which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law was enacted following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Catholic voters are examining Republican candidate Donald J. Trump's support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and his proposal to make it more accessible through federal or private insurance mandates. The Catholic Church opposes IVF due to ethical concerns, including the destruction of human embryos.
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, has released new diocesan policies concerning the formation of young people in Catholic Christian anthropology and the pastoral accompaniment of those experiencing gender incongruence or same-sex attraction. These policies, issued on September 12, apply to diocesan parishes, schools, and institutions.
As global conflicts persist, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is organizing its annual "One Million Children Praying the Rosary" campaign on October 18. The initiative invites children, families, parishes, catechists, and teachers to recite the rosary and pledge their participation on ACN's website, millionchildrenpraying.org. The site offers resources such as prayer kits and reflections in 15 languages.
The Vatican's Synod on Synodality is focused on understanding and practicing synodality within the church, rather than resolving specific controversial issues. This was highlighted by Julia McStravog, senior adviser for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on the synod. McStravog emphasized that while some may be disappointed by the lack of resolutions, the synod aims to prepare for addressing such questions in the future.
For the 2022-23 school year, Lindeman Elementary School experienced a decrease in enrollment numbers compared to the previous year, with 37 fewer students being enrolled.
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