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Religious sisters of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing as the process with the body of their late foundress, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, on May 29, 2023, at their abbey near Gower, Missouri. The sisters exhumed the nun's body on May 18 and discovered that it was apparently intact, four years after her death and burial in a simple wooden coffin. | Joe Bukuras/CNA

Body of Sr. Wilhelmina, African American Foundress, Placed in Glass Case

May 29, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, an African American nun whose surprisingly intact remains have created a sensation at a remote Missouri abbey, was placed inside a glass display case Monday after a solemn procession led by members of the community she founded.

Fr. Matthias Opara freed after spending three days in captivity in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

Catholic Priest in Nigeria Freed on Pentecost Sunday after Three Days in Captivity

May 29, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Fr. Matthias Opara, the Nigerian Catholic Priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral has been set free.

Credit: Courtesy Photo

On Pentecost, Catholic Bishops in Africa Emphasize Need to Work for “a better world”

May 28, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Catholic Bishops in Africa have emphasized the need for the people of God to invest in peace and fraternity in view of realizing “a better world”.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria's Sokoto Diocese during the 2023 presidential inauguration lecture held in Abuja. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Everything is not okay”: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria to New Government, Urges Diagnosis

May 28, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

The Catholic Bishop of Nigeria’s Sokoto Diocese has cautioned the incoming government of the West African nation against the thinking that all is well in the country.

Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara hands the crosier to Bishop Elias Kwenzakufani Zondi during the May 27 Episcopal Ordination. Credit: SACBC

New Catholic Bishop in South Africa Urged to Foster Unity “without any prejudice”

May 28, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Episcopal Ministry is built around the fostering of unity among the people of God “without any prejudice”, the Catholic Archbishop of South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese has told the Bishop who is to assist him in the pastoral care and administration of the Metropolitan See.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB). Credit: Presidency of Benin

Catholic Bishops in Benin Urge Youth to “cultivate spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship”

May 28, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Young people who nurture “creativity and entrepreneurship” are unlikely to get involved in crime, Catholic Bishops in Benin have said, and urged the leadership of the West African nation to strategize for “job creators rather than job seekers”. 

Pope Francis presides over Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 28, 2023. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

On Pentecost, Pope Francis Says Holy Spirit Can Bring Harmony to "a polarized Church"

May 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The solemnity of Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter, marks the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thousands were gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the Mass.

Depiction of the Holy Spirit in St. Peter’s Basilica. Paolo Gallo / Shutterstock.

Everything You Need to Know about Pentecost

May 28, 2023

By CNA Staff

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church.  

Pope Francis delivers the Regina Caeli address from the window of the Apostolic Palace on May 28, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Encourages Marian Shrines Around the World to Pray for Synod on Synodality

May 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

From the Philippines to Portugal, Marian shrines around the world will participate in a special day of prayer this Wednesday for the work of the Synod on Synodality.

Drought has plagued East Africa for over five years.. Credit: Caritas Internationalis

“Shameful betrayal of people suffering”: Catholic Entity on UK Reduced Aid to East Africa

May 27, 2023

By Silas Isenjia

The leadership of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has decried the reduction of the United Kingdom’s (UK) humanitarian aid package for East Africa, describing the European nation’s move as “betrayal” of the suffering who depend on it for their survival.

Fulgence Kayishema, a former Rwandan police officer suspected to have ordered the killing of at least 2,000 Tutsis who were seeking refuge at St. Paul’s Nyange Catholic Parish. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Suspected Mastermind of Massacre at Rwandan Catholic Parish in 1994 Genocide Arrested

May 27, 2023

By Silas Isenjia

Fulgence Kayishema, a former Rwandan police officer suspected to have ordered the killing of at least 2,000 Tutsis who were seeking refuge at St. Paul’s Nyange Catholic Parish of the current Nyundo Diocese during the 1994 genocide has been arrested in South Africa.  

Persons fleeing the civil war in Sudan. Credit: Courtesy Photo

South Sudanese Diocese Plans “second collection” for Sudan War Victims on Pentecost Sunday

May 27, 2023

By Patrick Juma Wani

South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) has planned for “a second collection” on Pentecost Sunday to support victims of the ongoing war in Sudan.

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“Horrifying experience”: CNA Freelancer on Witnessing Firefight in Nigeria’s Plateau State

May 27, 2023

By Douglas Burton

A freelance journalist who has reported on a surge of violent attacks by radicalized Muslims in Nigeria for CNA recently found himself caught in the middle of a firefight between government soldiers and armed militiamen.

Pope Francis shakes hands with film director Martin Scorsese and his wife Helen Morris. One day after suffering from a fever, Pope Francis resumed his normal activities, including meeting with participants in a conference on “The Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination,” organized by Jesuit magazine “La Civiltà Cattolica” and Georgetown University, in the Apostolic Palace on May 27, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Resumes Normal Schedule One Day after Fever

May 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis resumed his normal schedule of appointments on Saturday morning after suffering from a fever the day prior, a Vatican communications official said.

Servant of God Simon Mpeke, popularly known as Baba Simon, Cameroon’s first Venerable. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“A great joy for the Church”: Catholic Bishop on “Baba Simon”, Cameroon’s First Venerable

May 26, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

The recognition of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Simon Mpeke, popularly known as Baba Simon, who becomes Cameroon’s first Venerable, is a “great joy for the Church” in the Central African nation, the Local Ordinary of Edéa, Baba Simon’s Diocese of origin, has said.

A poster announcing the Sports4Peace, sports festivals targeting 12-18-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and Kakuma, a town in Northwestern Kenya, Lodwar Catholic Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Focolare, Jesuit Entity Organize “Sports for Peace” Initiative for Teen Migrants in Kenya

May 26, 2023

By ACI Africa Staff

The Focolare Movement and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) have partnered to organize “Sports4Peace”, sports festivals targeting 12-18-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and Kakuma, a town in Northwestern Kenya, Lodwar Catholic Diocese, which has hosted a UNHCR Refugee Camp since 1992.

Fr. Matthias Opara abducted on Friday, May 26 while returning from a Funeral Mass in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

“That he may be released unharmed”: Prayer Appeal for Priest Abducted in Owerri, Nigeria

May 26, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri is appealing for prayers for the release of Fr. Matthias Opara, who was abducted on Friday, May 26 while returning from a Funeral Mass.

Gunmen stormed villages in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in Nigeria killing dozens. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Nigeria’s Christian Leaders Decry “resurgence of mindless killings” after Dozens Massacred

May 26, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

The killing of “at least 130 people” in Nigeria’s Plateau State is a matter of “deep concern” for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 24, 2023. | Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis Cancels Meetings on Friday “due to a feverish condition"

May 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis canceled meetings on Friday morning due to a fever, a Vatican spokesman confirmed

A young man touches a religious statue to the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB, on May 18, 2023, at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles monastery in Gower, Missouri. | Used with permission.

"Something special going on there": Morticians Mystified by Sister Wilhelmina’s Body

May 26, 2023

By Joe Bukuras, Shannon Mullen

Expert morticians are scratching their heads at the recently exhumed body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, a Benedictine nun who died in 2019 and now appears to be in an unexpected state of preservation.