May 23, 2022

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. www.catholicnewsagency.com - Catholic politician Nacy Pelsosi has been barred from Holy Communion over her public advocacy for abortion. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said on May 20 that the step was “purely pastoral, not political.” The move comes after Pelosi, the US Speaker of the House and a Democrat who has described herself as a “devout Catholic,” repeatedly rebuffed his efforts to reach out to her to discuss her abortion advocacy. Cordileone's instructions apply only within the San Francisco Archdiocese. Other bishops have jurisdiction over such matters when Pelosi is Washington DC, and other dioceses around the US and abroad. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251305/archbishop-cordileone-nancy-pelosi-communion-abortion https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251315/read-the-letter-from-pelosi-s-archbishop-barring-her-from-communion Pope Francis on Sunday said he is praying for the Church in China and “attentively and actively following the often complex life and situations of the faithful and pastors” there. In brief remarks to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the Regina Caeli prayer on May 22, the pope did not specifically mention the recent arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun in Hong Kong. The 90-year-old former bishop of Hong Kong was arrested May 11 under China’s national security law with at least four others for his role as a trustee of a pro-democracy legal fund. He was released on bail later that day. Pope Francis did draw special attention to the fact that Tuesday, May 24 — when Zen is reportedly due back in court — is the liturgical memorial of Our Lady, Help of Christians. Francis’ predecessor Benedict XVI decreed in 2007 that the date be observed worldwide as “a day of prayer for the Church in China.” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251325/cardinal-zen-arr