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A Catholic priest in the West Bank spoke out recently to express the sense of isolation that Christians in the region feel due to the lack of support from fellow Christians worldwide as they face escalating and ongoing Jewish terrorist attacks from Israeli “settlers” facilitated and enabled by Israeli government officials. “Do not forget Taybeh! Taybeh must not vanish into silence,” implored Father Bashar Fawadleh, a Latin Rite Catholic priest in the last fully Christian town in the West Bank. Taybeh, with a population of around 50,000, has been inhabited by Apostolic Christians since Jesus Christ stayed with his disciples...

While Americans were having abortions in 1776, America’s founders in Philadelphia put their names on a statement that all, created equal, are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” One of the Declaration of Independence signers, James Wilson, specified several years later that “with consistency, beautiful and undeviating, human life, from its commencement to its close, is protected by the common law.” Life often hasn’t been protected. But decade after decade, Americans who are now largely forgotten made noble sacrifices to help the least among us. Some pro-life...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Matthew 18:15–16Fraternal charity is an absolute necessity. We are called to love everyone unconditionally, even those who have sinned against us. Moreover, our charity must go beyond an interior disposition; it must be expressed in...

[Catholic Caucus] German Bishop: Laypeople Preach in My Diocese — and I Won’t Sanction Them The Vatican's reasoning for the ban on lay preaching is "not entirely consistent," Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz told Katholisch.de on August 11."The letter from the Prefect for Liturgy states that only the priest celebrating Mass may preach. But taken to its logical conclusion, that would mean a concelebrating priest or an assisting deacon shouldn't be allowed to preach either."Lay Preaching Is No ProblemIn the Diocese of Mainz, occasional lay preaching has become an established practice and Bishop Kohlgraf has no intention of changing that.In...

Pope Leo’s private secretary compares his role to St John the BaptistPope Leo XIV’s private secretary, Monsignor Edgard Rimaycuna, has compared his role alongside the pontiff to that of St John the BaptistThe private secretary to Pope Leo XIV, Monsignor Edgard Rimaycuna, has compared his role alongside the pontiff to that of St John the Baptist.Speaking at the parish of San José Obrero (St Joseph the Worker) in the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, the Peruvian priest said: “I like to think of the figure of St John the Baptist if I have to define a little what my mission is.”He...

[Catholic Caucus] Bishop Strickland asks whether Vatican II surrendered to modernism Bishop Joseph Strickland pointed out that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger once described Gaudium et Spes as a kind of ‘counter syllabus’ in opposition to Pope Pius IX’s Syllabus of Errors. Bishop Joseph Strickland questioned in a recent video address whether the Second Vatican Council compromised with the modern world.Strickland highlighted the dangers of modernism as well as Pope St. Pius X’s warnings against this “synthesis of all heresies.” The bishop pointed out that in 1910 the saintly pope required priests, bishops, and others “entrusted with teaching the Catholic faith” to...

[Catholic Caucus] Bishop Eleganti: Meetings with leftist celebrities are degrading the papacy Pope Leo XIV's 40-minute audience with the 'Godmother of Punk' reflects a troubling pattern of popes courting cultural elites while doctrinal clarity fades, Bishop Marian Eleganti warns.On July 31, 2026, Pope Leo XIV met with American rock musician, poet, and artist Patti Smith, known as the “Godmother of Punk,” during a 40-minute private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Both are from Chicago. The meeting was attended by Father Antonio Spadaro. There are several official photos and a video of the encounter.This harmless encounter – I...

"If I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3). Wrong motives rob even the greatest sacrifice of its spiritual benefit. So far in his denunciation of loveless ministries, Paul has addressed what we say, what we know, what we believe, and how we give. Now he comes to the apex of his argument: how we die. Many Christians have made the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom, but even that is useless without love. In Paul's time, many slaves were branded with a hot iron to identify them as belonging to...

🇺🇸Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem🇮🇱 (8/10/26)[Prayer]Personalities2 Samuel 2:8-32 War Between the Houses of David and Saul 8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel. 10 Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David. 11 The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was...

11 August 2026 Saint Clare, Virgin on Tuesday of week 19 in Ordinary Time Daniel Island (Charleston), South Carolina: Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic ChurchReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(II).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst readingEzekiel 2:8-3:4He gave me the scroll to eat and it was as sweet as honeyI, Ezekiel, heard a voice speaking. It said, ‘You, son of man, listen to the words I say; do not be a rebel like that rebellious set. Open your mouth and eat what I am about to give you.’ I looked. A...

Memorial of Saint Clare, VirginThe disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” Matthew 18:1–5Divine logic upends worldly assumptions and reveals the gentle majesty of God’s ways, as today’s Gospel makes clear. Worldly wisdom...

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media.This is the confidence we have in approaching God: That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)Religion Forum threads labeled *Prayer* are closed to debate of any kind.1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true...

How to be a DhimmiIn late July, some 60,000 migrants surged into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. The migrants were mainly young males. And since 99 percent of Moroccans practice Islam, most were almost certainly Muslim. Ceuta is not a Spanish colony. It’s an “autonomous city” integral to the Spanish state, with Spanish sovereignty dating back to 1580. It’s thus a (hoped for) gateway to the European Union, and a priority target of “undocumented” immigration.Spanish police pushed most of the migrants back across the border. They left behind – as the Wall Street Journal noted –...

Among the 15 new councilors are several figures who have publicly supported heterodox positions associated with the synodal reforms of Pope Francis.VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Leo XIV has appointed new consultors to the Vatican’s religious life dicastery, including advocates of LGBT ideology and “women’s ordination,” greater liturgical experimentation, and structural changes to Church governance.On August 6, Pope Leo appointed 15 new consultors to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, headed by Prefect Sister Simona Brambilla. The appointments include two bishops, five priests, two religious brothers, and six religious sisters, among them several figures...

Pope Leo appoints pro-female ordination, pro-LGBT consultors to religious life dicasteryAmong the 15 new councilors are several figures who have publicly supported heterodox positions associated with the synodal reforms of Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV has appointed new consultors to the Vatican’s religious life dicastery, including advocates of LGBT ideology and “women’s ordination,” greater liturgical experimentation, and structural changes to Church governance.On August 6, Pope Leo appointed 15 new consultors to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, headed by Prefect Sister Simona Brambilla. The appointments include two bishops, five priests, two religious brothers, and...

[Catholic Caucus] Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer: Trajectory, Ideology, and Legacy of Catholic TraditionalismEarly Years, Family Environment, and Priestly VocationAntônio de Castro Mayer was born in the city of Campinas, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, on June 20, 1904. He grew up in a deeply Catholic family of humble origins, being one of twelve children. His father, Johannes (João) Mayer, was a German stonemason from the region of Bavaria who had emigrated to Brazil in search of better work opportunities and stability for his family. His mother, Francisca de Castro, was a devout Brazilian peasant woman whose profound...

[Catholic Caucus] Texas Bishop Expands Latin MassBishop Michael Sis of San Angelo, West Texas, will expand access to the traditional Latin Mass with a new monthly celebration at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland, beginning August 30.Rev. Ryan Rojo, the diocese’s Vocations Director and Director of Seminarians, announced the development on X.com.The Mass will be celebrated on the last Sunday of each month at 3 p.m.Rev. Rojo promised that this is “just a beginning”: “The diocese discerns a path forward to provide for our people.”He added that other diocesan priests will learn to celebrate the Roman rite in the coming...

🇺🇸Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem🇮🇱 (8/10/26)[Prayer]Personalities2 Samuel 2:1-7 David Anointed King Over Judah 2 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the...

10 August 2026 Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr Feast St. Lawrence, Lafayette IN Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(II).First reading2 Corinthians 9:6-10God loves a cheerful giverDo not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance,...

"If I give all my possessions to feed the poor . . . but do not have love, it profits me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3). Love is characterized by self-sacrifice, but not all self-sacrifice is an act of love. If you've ever donated to your church or another charitable organization out of obligation, peer pressure, legalism, guilt, a desire for recognition, or simply a tax deduction, you know what it means to give without love. In our society it's easy to fall prey to that kind of giving because the needs are so great and fund raisers appeal to every...