Bishop José Antonio Satué - the Vatican-appointed pontifical delegate governing the conservative Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE) - has appointed a new general council for the community, reports the Substack.com-Account The Pillar. Furthermore, Bishop Satué introduced a new website of the institute. Founded in Argentina in 1984, the IVE operates internationally. The institute had lost close to 40% of its members since its foundation. The New General Council Bishop Satué of Málaga, Spain, appointed five members to the council in a decree dated July 25. He communicated it to the IVE members on August 18. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life approved the appointments. The new council includes: - Fr. Ervens Mengelle, IVE, as vicar general; - Br. Giampiero Pettenon, SDB, as treasurer general; - Fr. Diógenes Urquiza, IVE, with responsibility for contemplative monasteries; - Fr. Giampiero Gambaro, OFM Cap., with responsibilities as …Bontsi
In this analysis, His Excellency Auxiliary Bishop Robert Mutsaerts (Netherlands) may well have authored a document of historic ecclesiastical significance; he uses logic to dismantle the peculiar ideology of "synodality." At the same time, his open letter to its proponent, Pope Leo XIV, remains dignified, respectful, and marked by humble expectation. But will Leo XIV actually practice "synodal listening and discussion" here? Holy Father, With reverence for the office entrusted to you as successor of Saint Peter, and in communion with the Church which Christ built upon the apostles, I address you with this open letter. I don't do so lightly. What leads me to speak these words publicly is a concern that ultimately transcends every other ecclesial consideration: the salvation of souls. Salus animarum suprema lex — the salvation of souls is the supreme law. My question is a simple and earnest one: does the synodal process actually help bring souls closer to Christ and to eternal salvation …Bontsi
A lot of wisdom and theological common sense in this open letter from a bishop. Is the "synod" a Potemkin Village of “dialogue, participation, and listening” masking an exhausted de facto atheism masquerading as “being Church”? Synodality increasingly looks like a stalking horse for stale liberal Catholic ideas about deconstructing Catholicism into the Zeitgeist and calling it “enculturation.” And mark my words: if they ever got their way, all the talk of dialogue, listening, parrhesia, inclusion, and “discerning what the people of God want” would quickly end.
Revealed by Prodiges and France's representative at Eurovision 2026, Monroe will continue her ascent on September 26. The 17-year-old French-American soprano has been chosen to sing at the grand youth vigil presided over by Léon XIV at the Stade de France.
On July 20, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, the 88th Annual Meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) elected Amy-Jill Levine, 70, as president for 2026–2027. She is the first Jewish president in the CBA’s history. Founded in 1936, the CBA is an independent association with longstanding institutional ties to the U.S. bishops. Its constitution says it pursues biblical scholarship “in conformity with the teaching of the magisterium of the Catholic Church.” Levine is a New Testament scholar and is a longtime member of the CBA. In spring 2019, she became the first Jewish scholar to teach New Testament at Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute. She has also had three audiences with Pope Francis. In a sermon at Washington National Cathedral on March 7, 2021, Levine said: “I’m a Jew. I don’t worship Jesus as Lord and Savior.” "Lectionary Revision Is Only A Start" In an interview published by The Christian Century in June 2023, Levine describes parts of the Gospel of John as …Bontsi
This is one of the dangerous speeches that has turned Charlie Kirk into a target of certain media outlets that, arrogating to themselves the role of guardians of the truth, democracy, and freedom, dictate who deserves a voice and who should be demonized - - - Este es uno de los peligrosos discursos que ha convertido a Charlie Kirk en objetivo de unos medios que, arrogándose el papel de guardianes de la verdad, la democracia y la libertad, dictan quién merece voz y quién debe ser demonizado.
At least 24 Christians were killed in an overnight attack on Bin Mper village in Plateau State, Nigeria, on August 18. The attackers reportedly entered the community around midnight and attacked people in their homes. Several others were injured and taken to hospital.
Mindestens 24 Tote bei neuem Angriff im christlich geprägten Plateau State. Die jüngste Gewalttat reiht sich in die anhaltenden terroristischen Angriffe ein. Seit Jahren erleben dort Christen Angriffe und die Zerstörung ihres Eigentums.
Today, Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann, 66, of Speyer, Germany, due to health reasons. He had led the Diocese of Speyer since March 2008. Bishop Wiesemann said that "the burden of the extensive responsibility has taken a serious physical and psychological toll on me." Depression and Health Bishop Wiesemann had previously suffered from depression. In 2021, he withdrew from his duties for about seven months for health reasons, including inpatient treatment. He later publicly identified the illness as depression. In May 2026, he spoke about his experience at the Katholikentag in Würzburg during an event on depression and mental health. He attributed his depression to prolonged pressures including the demands of episcopal office, financial and structural problems in the diocese and, above all, the Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis. Pro-Homosexual Bishop Bishop Wiesemann was among the German bishops supporting changes in the Church's approach to homosexuality …Bontsi
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Education has responded to a Catholic mother involved in a parents’ campaign against a new sexual-education framework for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hamburg, reports LaNuovaBq.it on August 18. Hamburg is led by Archbishop Stefan Heße. The response was sent to Varinia Arauco, a Peruvian-born mother involved with the ‘Parents’ Network for Child Protection and Prevention’. Arauco and other parents have appealed to Church authorities in Germany and Rome over the Archdiocese of Hamburg’s framework “Male, Female, Diverse: Framework for Sexual Education at Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Hamburg.” The framework was published in 2025 and is intended to be implemented in the archdiocese’s 15 Catholic school locations from the 2026/27 school year. It explicitly supports the “acceptance of diversity with regard to sexual orientations and gender identity” The parents also submitted a petition to Pope Leo XIV through the Apostolic Nuncio in Germany and …Bontsi
Tuesday, 19th August 1913 Frank Ends Statement After Testifying Four Hours, The Atlanta Constitution The Atlanta Constitution, Tuesday, 19th August 1913. Page 1. "Silent Man in Tower" Tells His Story to Men Who Will Decide His Fate Two poses of Leo M. Frank on the witness stand on Monday afternoon telling his story to the jury. In one picture he is shown with his notes in, his hand. Frank on the stand was cool, perfectly poised and at all times the master of himself. He showed no trace of nervousness. He looked the jury squarely in the face. He was at times explicit when explaining the details of his business, argumentative when telling of things that had looked dark for him, eloquent as he concluded. "I'VE TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH" SAYS PRISONER CONCLUDING DRAMATIC STORY TO THE JURY Discussing Much-Fought-Over Point of His Alleged Nervousness on the Morning of the Murder, Superintendent Admits It Freely. Declaring That Any Man in His Place Would Have Been Similarly Affected Speaks Bitterly …Bontsi
Amy-Jill Levine was elected the first Jewish president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America on July 20, 2026. In February 2020, Levine stated: “So I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Messianic Jew, I do not worship Jesus as Lord and Savior, and for me the New Testament is not sacred scripture.” Discussing the Gospels, she continued: “I will argue, that not all the comments the gospel writers attribute to Jesus were spoken by him. I think they added some things.” She added: “My bias or my agenda is in part to help Christians stop making Jewish practice and belief look bad in order to make Jesus look good.”
1. Jüdin Präsidentin der Catholic Biblical Association Amy-Jill Levine, 1. jüdische Präsidentin der Catholic Biblical Association (USA): "I'm not a Christian. I'm not a Messianic Jew. I do not worship Jesus as Lord and Savior and for me the New Testament is not a Sacred Sripture. I will argue, I hope convincingly or at least I'm convinced that not all the comments the gospel writers attribute to Jesus were spken by him. I think they added some things." „Ich bin keine Christin. Ich bin keine messianische Jüdin. Ich verehre Jesus nicht als Herrn und Erlöser und für mich ist das Neue Testament keine Heilige Schrift. Ich werde darlegen – hoffentlich überzeugend, oder zumindest bin ich selbst davon überzeugt –, dass nicht alle Äußerungen, die die Evangelisten Jesus zuschreiben, tatsächlich von ihm gesprochen wurden. Ich glaube, sie haben einiges hinzugefügt" Amy-Jill Levine wurde am 20. Juli 2026 zur 1. jüdische Präsidentin der Catholic Biblical Association der USA gewählt: National Catholic …Bontsi
Mel Gibson - HEAVEN HAS WALLS, A GATE, AND STRICT ENTRY. HELL HAS OPEN BORDERS. ... HEAVEN HAS WALLS, A GATE, AND STRICT ENTRY. HELL HAS OPEN BORDERS. THINK ABOUT IT… Mel Gibson (@MelGibson_1th) on X
US Sisters and the Macarena Retirement Tour: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) held its 70th anniversary gathering in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 14 August. They posted a video on Facebook showing elderly women in civilian clothes dancing the Macarena (1995). The fitting headline: "When Catholic sisters get together, watch out for the dance parties! ". Macarena was popular when the sisters were in their 50s. The LCWR represents the leaders of many women's religious congregations in the United States.
Dance party of "nuns": The LCWR 70th Anniversary Gathering was held August 11–14, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together Catholic women and men religious from the United States, Canada, Latin America and other parts of the Americas for prayer, worship, talks, discussion and community events.
And you wonder why vocations to the nunnery have collapsed. People who have a religious vocation take their lives seriously and look for serious opportunities
2. Historical Context and "Dance Manias" Catholic history records instances where mass dancing was interpreted through the lens of spiritual affliction or divine punishment. [1, 2] St. Vitus’ Dance (Chorea): In the Middle Ages, outbreaks of compulsive, uncontrollable dancing (now understood as a neurological or psychological phenomenon) swept through Europe. [1, 2, 3, 4] Spiritual Intercession: Victims were sent to shrines of St. Vitus, a Christian martyr, to pray for deliverance and healing from what many at the time feared was a demonic curse or affliction. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 3. Ritual Dancing and Entry Points Catholic moral theology warns against practices that willingly open a person up to the influence of evil spirits. Trance Induction: Repetitive, frenzied, or rhythmic dancing used in occult or neo-pagan rituals is designed to lower conscious defenses and alter the state of mind. [1, 2, 3] The Danger of Invitation: Exorcists warn that participating in dances meant to invoke …Bontsi
Leo XIV appointed this guy: Peter G. Kirchschläger, 49, a social ethicist at the University of Lucerne, has called the Church’s ban on women’s ordination an unresolved human-rights problem and argued that the state should pressure the Church over it. Rejecting the argument that dissatisfied women can simply leave the Church, he responded: “That would be protecting the perpetrator.”
On 18 August 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed twelve new consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Leo XIV fills the Vatican's social-policy apparatus with mostly anti-Catholic figures. 1. Peter G. Kirchschläger, 49, Social ethicist, University of Lucerne, Switzerland In December 2018, he said that the Catholic Church has an unresolved human-rights problem regarding the impossibility of women's ordination to the priesthood. He even claimed that the state "may not look away" but has an obligation to press the Church on it. When presented with the argument that women dissatisfied with Catholic teaching can leave, he answered: “That would be protecting the perpetrator.” 2. Kathryn A. Koch, 45, Wall Street Finance Kathryn Koch spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, became a Goldman partner and ran its approximately $300 billion public-equity business. In 2015, Koch was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Since 2024, Koch has …Bontsi
On August 15 in Göttingen, Germany, about 20 Catholics held a registered “Public Rosary Against Abortion.” Left-wing counter-protesters disrupted the gathering with heckling and loud music as police formed a barrier between the groups. After the gathering ended, some counter-protesters attempted to break through police lines, exerting “pressure and violence” against officers.Twelve police officers suffered minor injuries from pepper spray deployed by fellow officers while pushing back counter-protesters.
Friedliche Gebetsaktion für das Leben wird von Gegendemonstranten attackiert
Italian priest Lino Zatelli, 75, killed himself on August 12. He had been parish priest of San Carlo Borromeo in Trento for a quarter of a century. He was found dead inside the rectory of his parish after he didn’t show up to celebrate the Eucharist. Corriere del Trentino reported the death as a voluntary act. Two months earlier he had learned that he would have to leave San Carlo in November for another pastoral assignment. Zatelli publicly said he had not asked to leave. Sad detail: During his Easter homily, Don Zatelli preached about Judas's suicide. He discussed Judas as someone overwhelmed by despair who could no longer see beyond the obstacle before him, but emphasized Christ's forgiveness and imagined Jesus ultimately embracing Judas in heaven. Eucharists Beyond Rubrics A 2019 interview called him the “eternal bad boy of the Trentino Church.” A November 2020 profile describes Zatelli as working in a kind of laboratory parish. His Eucharists went beyond formulas and interpreted …Bontsi
We are obliged to pray for all of the lost, but the point is clear - current theological aberrations are poisoning the Faith and the Faithful. We are being led by those who "are like whitewashed sepulchers, which outwardly appear brilliant to men, yet truly, inside, they are filled with the bones of the dead and with all filth." Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
The Archdiocese of Olomouc, Czech Republic, has cancelled a homosexual “pilgrimage” scheduled for September 19, in Olomouc. Olomouc Archbishop Josef Nuzík, 60, was expected to preside at the Eucharist, giving the event direct institutional backing. The program also included a presentation by priest Cyril Havel on Building a Bridge, a book by American Jesuit James Martin; a video greeting from Martin; testimony from parents of alleged transgender-children; and a discussion of different Christian approaches to homosexual pastoral care. Organizers claimed a “wave of negative and hostile reactions” online, although they did not identify who was responsible or where these reactions were posted. Claiming they could no longer guarantee participants a safe environment, organizers cancelled the event on August 14. The event, Pouť na půli cesty (“Pilgrimage Halfway”), was to be the second pilgrimage for homosexuals, their relatives and other participants. It was organized by pastoral ministries …Bontsi