Paul Braune watched calmly as the police ransacked his rectory office in Lubetal, Germany. Arrested by SS chief Reinhard Heydrich himself on August 12, 1941, Braune was accused of having “sabotaged measures of the regime and the Party in an irresponsible manner.” Officers rifled through his papers—from the German Confessing Church and the Association of [...] The post The pastors who defied Hitler’s euthanasia regime first appeared on The Bridgehead .
“We are deeply disturbed that the Scottish Greens believe abortion should be treated ‘like any other healthcare procedure’,” the Scottish bishops said Saturday.
Every Sunday, women who have had abortions sit in church and hear that God forgives sin. But when abortion is never named, many conclude that the promise doesn't include them, and they take the pastor's silence as judgment.
Two hundred Virginia pastors have publicly opposed a proposed abortion amendment, citing the Sixth Commandment in their appeal to voters. Their unified stance urges Christians to reject legalizing abortion up to birth.
Bishop William Byrne and the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts are urging Catholics to sign a petition to repeal Chapter 188, a new law allowing abortion throughout pregnancy, including after 24 weeks for any reason and in non-hospital settings. The repeal effort, called Repeal 188, requires collecting certified signatures to place the question on the 2028 ballot and suspend the law until voters decide, while parishes are holding petition drives and promoting support for women facing unplanned pregnancies during Respect Life Month.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, has called on Catholics in his diocese to pray and fast throughout October to oppose two ballot initiatives related to abortion and gay marriage. He specifically requested that on Fridays, Catholics pray the Stations of the Cross and fast by eating one full meal without meat, and on Sundays, pray the Rosary and fast from social media for several hours, especially around Mass.
A Virginia Catholic bishop called on the faithful to pray and fast in opposition to proposed state constitutional amendments that would enshrine abortion and same-sex marriage. The bishop warned these measures threaten the sanctity of life and family values.
Catholic bishops and religious sisters in New York and Illinois have filed lawsuits against their states' assisted suicide laws, winning temporary court rulings that prevent enforcement of these laws against them while litigation continues. These lawsuits argue that the laws compel Catholic healthcare providers to violate their conscience by participating in or promoting assisted suicide, which the Church opposes as contrary to its mission and moral teachings.
Virginia is holding a significant election with constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage that have drawn opposition from Catholic bishops and over 200 pastors, who warn the ballot language is deceptive and designed to punish dissenters and boost Democrats. In Ohio, two key races are considered toss-ups, including a Senate special election and the governor's race, with data centers and immigration issues prominent, while in Texas, the Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is close, with controversies around Talarico's religious affiliations and local concerns about visas, data centers, and mosque construction influencing conservative voters.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated October as Respect Life Month with the theme 'Mary, Mother of Life,' encouraging prayer and action against the increased use of abortion pills.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington is urging Catholics to fast on Fridays in October and vote against two constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage appearing on the November 3 ballot in Virginia. He has directed priests to read a letter during Masses opposing the amendments, which would expand abortion access and redefine marriage, and has led prayer efforts while acknowledging both support and criticism from parishioners.
The South Korean government announced plans to permit the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant by early 2027, with prescriptions and dispensing handled by physicians for the first two years. Christian groups in South Korea, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the United Christian Churches, have strongly condemned this decision, emphasizing the abortion pill's lethal effect on unborn children and calling for social support systems for women in crisis pregnancies instead.
The South Korean government announced plans to legalize and regulate the abortion pill Mifegymiso by March 2027, initially prescribing it in hospitals and later expanding distribution to pharmacies. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea expressed strong opposition, warning that the measure institutionalizes abortion and calls for the government to choose a path that protects life while supporting women.
Christian leaders, led by Senator Josh Hawley and over 30 pastors, have issued a Declaration for Life calling for a ban on the abortion drug mifepristone and affirming the dignity of unborn children from conception. South Korean Catholic bishops have also opposed their government's expansion of abortion pill use, while pro-life groups in the U.S.
Virginia Democrats have proposed a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, including personal decisions about prenatal care and abortion access, which will appear on the November ballot. Catholic leaders from the Dioceses of Arlington and Richmond have strongly opposed the amendment, urging their congregations to vote no, citing concerns about the health and safety of mothers, parental rights, and the sanctity of marriage.
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints oppose an Idaho ballot initiative that would establish a right to abortion in the state and have encouraged church members to voice their opposition in a respectful manner during worship services. The church's position opposes elective abortion except in cases of rape, incest, serious risk to the mother's life or health, or severe fetal defects, and aligns with other faith groups in Idaho, such as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, which also opposes the initiative.
Virginia Bishop Michael Burbidge instructed every priest in his diocese to read a letter at Mass urging Catholics to oppose two constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage ahead of the November 3 election. He argued that Ballot Question 1 would expand abortion rights beyond reasonable limits and that Ballot Question 2 would remove the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, enshrining gender ideology in the state constitution.
The Andorran Prime Minister announced plans to decriminalize abortion in Andorra by April 2027 regardless of the Vatican's approval. This decision comes despite a Catholic bishop serving as co-head of state in the microstate.
The Catholic bishops of England and Wales have condemned the assisted dying bill set for a second reading in the UK House of Commons, describing it as flawed and dangerous and lacking sufficient safeguards for vulnerable people. They expressed concerns that the bill would involve medical professionals in ending lives, fail to protect conscientious objection, and potentially lead to expanded eligibility beyond terminally ill patients, citing experiences from other countries like Canada.
Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot announced plans to decriminalize abortion in Andorra by April 2027, regardless of Vatican approval, despite the local bishop serving as co-head of state. The government has been negotiating with the Holy See for years, aiming to pass legislation that removes criminal penalties for women who procure abortions while potentially maintaining penalties for healthcare professionals performing them.
Feminist and ‘queer’ activists sparked outrage by shouting in front the sanctuary at Westminster Cathedral as 15 Catholic bishops celebrated Mass before a pro-life rally.
Undeterred by violent pro-abortion protests, over 10,000 pro-lifers took to the streets of London for the annual March for Life on Saturday, with a record 15 Catholic bishops attending. The post 10,000 pro-lifers fill London’s streets at March for Life appeared first on The Catholic Thing .
DeMarco defends Andorra's restrictions on abortion against international pressure to liberalize its laws. He argues that financing abortions abroad would undermine the country's stated commitment to protecting unborn life.
Virginia’s most populous Catholic diocese is planning a coordinated effort in churches next month, urging parishioners to reject constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage that will appear on the ballot this fall. Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington hosted a webinar for priests and asked them to read a message at Masses on...
Root criticizes Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's support for expanded abortion access and contrasts it with her public identification as Catholic. He argues that bishops should consider formal ecclesiastical discipline rather than limit their response to public statements.
Eric Jones argues that pastors should address abortion publicly and within their congregations. He discusses the influence churches can exercise through pastoral leadership and civic engagement.
Waters distinguishes egg freezing from embryo freezing while examining how fertility preservation can lead into ethically contested IVF practices. She urges Christian women to weigh medical, theological and pro-life concerns before using fertility technology.
Lawler discusses the controversy over Catholic political leaders and abortion policy in an audio episode. The episode considers whether ecclesial discipline is an appropriate response to public actions that conflict with Catholic teaching on unborn life.
