Iraqi children receive First Communion

In the Church of St. John the Baptist, in Qaraqosh, northern Iraq, one hundred and twenty-one children made their First Holy Communion. The celebrant, Fr. Majeed Attalla, said that four hundred more are still waiting to receive this Sacrament, and stated:

“Thank God we have many children, and this is a source of joy, because they give strength and hope to continue. They represent the future. [All] were prepared with a spirit of great participation. COVID-19 stopped the world, but fortunately it did not stop the life of the community.”

Qaraqosh is currently the most important Christian centre in the Nineveh plain: almost the entire population professes faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ.

France’s Minister of Education outlaws “inclusive writing”

The use of “inclusive language”, which employs a “neutral” term to refer to the masculine and feminine genders, has been banned in schools in France by the Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer. He explains that the use of this form of writing impairs pupils’ understanding because of its complexity and instability.

British police apologize for entering parish

Following a disruption carried out by police during the Good Friday service at a Polish parish in London, the officers responsible for that action have been urged to apologize due to the illegal nature of the intervention.

The complaint that had reached the police that day stated that preventative regulations against COVID-19 were being breached in the church. However, it was found that all the regulations were being followed to the letter by the parishioners, who further stated that they followed the same protocols during the Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil Masses.

Re-opening of Notre-Dame is planned for 2024

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, promised that the restoration of the historic Parisian cathedral will be finished by 2024. Michel Picaud, president of the charity Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris – an organization aimed at collecting donations and funds for the reconstruction – also assured that it is possible for the temple to indeed be ready for reopening in the year planned, although the roof may not be completely finished at that time.

The rector of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, said that the work could take another twenty years, with a total expenditure of over one billion euros.

Ancient monastery recommences its brewery

The oldest Western abbey still active today is located in Switzerland. It is the monastery of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune, which was founded in 515 and boasts a rich artistic heritage as well as ancient and valuable relics.

The traditional brewing of beer at this monastery, interrupted in the 13th century, was resumed in 2019 and should revitalize the archaeological site of the abbey, as well as contributing to the community’s livelihood. Three varieties of the beverage have already been formulated, and another is forthcoming.

Another church burned in Chile

In mid-April, a blaze engulfed one of the chapels of the Parish of St. Anthony, in the commune of Padre Las Casas, in La Araucanía. All evidence indicates that the cause of the fire was a terrorist attack. The chapel was completely destroyed, despite the fact that four crews of firefighters were deployed in the emergency.

Hermitages from the 4th century discovered

Archaeological missions have located the oldest Christian monastery ever discovered at the site of Tal Ganoub Qasr-al Agouz, in the Bahariya Oasis (Egypt). Radiocarbon analyses indicate that it dates from the 4th century. Until now, it was believed that the first communities were from the 5th century, so the discovery will provide important information about early Christianity and monasticism in Egypt.

Six hermitages built of basalt, dug into the rock or made of clay bricks were found at the site. Thanks to the absence of humidity and the desert sand, the ruins have been exceptionally well preserved. Greek inscriptions and Coptic paintings are engraved on the walls. The texts came as a surprise to scholars and will be the subject of in-depth analysis.

French churches object of increasing attacks

France’s central criminal intelligence unit has reported that 877 attacks on Catholic places of worship were registered in the country in 2018 alone. The president of the Paris Observatory of Religious Heritage, Edouard de Lamaze, pointed out that this number has increased fivefold, as compared with the previous decade. He warned that if vandalism continues, 5,000 edifices of our religion face probable disappearance.

Lamaze deplored the fact that such sites have not been restored or protected by the government since the law of separation of Church and State was decreed in 1905.

In sum, France has lost a Catholic temple every fortnight. Of all offences perpetrated against buildings of worship, the majority target the Catholic Church.

Image of the Virgin of Guadalupe re-enthroned in Houston

The statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, belonging to Queen of Peace Parish in Houston, was received by the faithful in a ceremony after being restored. In December last year, the image had been shot six times with a revolver by an aggressor who, according to witnesses, was wearing a red suit and a black hat.

New Vatican Observatory website launched

A new website has been launched by the Vatican Astronomical Observatory in order to “show the world that the Church supports science,” the director, Fr. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., told Catholic News Agency. At the same time, a podcast has been launched that explores “the wonders of God’s universe,” with explanations from experts on the subject. The website has a series of resources on faith and science, and those interested will be able to access it and get to know the work in more detail.

Sacred Art Museum to Restore Vandalized Statues

Six statues belonging to the Parish of Our Lady of Remedies of the Brazilian Diocese of Osasco have been sent to the Museum of Sacred Art to be restored after the damage they suffered at the hands of two men and two women who broke into the parish church. As he pursued the vandals, the parish administrator, Fr. Amauri Baggio, heard one of them say that the attack had been carried out “in the name of Jesus.”

Among the damaged statues was that of the Patroness, Our Lady of Remedies, and another of St. Ubald, brought from Italy more than sixty years ago and entirely carved in wood. There was also a seventh, representing St. Cecilia, which could not be repaired due to the extent of the damage.

John Rossi, commissioned with the restoration, estimates that the work will take about a year. He also stated that fifteen people, including restorers and volunteers, will take part in the effort, doing their best to ensure that the finished images will be as close as possible to the originals. The first statue to be refurbished will be that of the Patroness.