The Catholic bishops of Florida unsuccessfully urged Gov. Charlie Crist to stay the execution of John Richard Marek on Aug. 19 and give him a life sentence instead, saying that “even those who have done great harm are human beings with dignity, created in the image and likeness of God.” • An education bill signed into law by Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez will remove religious education from the nation’s schools, said Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas. Government critics called the law’s rapid approval process unconstitutional. • Three U.S. Catholic bishops are touring parts of Cuba that were ravaged by hurricanes last year. One participant, Boston’s Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, O.F.M.Cap., said the goal of the visit is “to understand what we can do to further assist the church in Cuba.” • Although amendments to a House health care reform bill made some “helpful improvements” in protecting life and conscience, some “unacceptable features” remain that must be removed, said Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, who testified on Aug. 11. • The Catholic theologian Miguel Díaz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 4 as the ninth U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. • Jim McGinnis, a nationally renowned advocate for peace and justice, died on Aug. 13. He was 66.
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During his visit to Venice, Pope Francis encouraged young people to embrace their worth, urging care for one another's vulnerabilities and emphasizing the importance of remaining connected to God to bear fruits of justice, peace, and solidarity.
This week on “Preach,” the Rev. Peter Wojcik, the pastor of St. Clement Church in Chicago, Ill., preaches for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B, and shares strategies for preaching to a parish of mostly young adults.
“His presence brings prestige to our nation and to the entire Group of 7. It is the first time that a pope will participate in the work of the G7,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
“Many conflicting, divergent and often contradictory views of the human person have found wide acceptance … they have led to holders of traditional theories being cancelled or even losing their jobs,” the bishops said.