U.S.
Texas bishop announces march, vigil protesting Trump mass deportations
EL PASO, Texas — Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, is spearheading a march and vigil to protest the Trump administration’s plans for mass deportations of unauthorized immigrants, part of a sweeping immigration crackdown in the U.S. In a March 10 open letter to El Paso’s borderlands community, Bishop Seitz invited area residents, “all people of faith and everyone committed to the common good,” to gather March 24 at 6 p.m. at San Jacinto Plaza, located in El Paso’s downtown. The march and vigil is organized in partnership with Hope Border Institute, an El Paso-based immigrant advocacy nonprofit. “The threat of mass deportations is untenable and immoral and demands a credible response,” Bishop Seitz said in his letter. Also, President Donald Trump on March 15 invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself broad authority under a wartime law to deport people allegedly associated with a Venezuelan gang, sparking a legal battle and prompting concern from Catholic immigration advocates. The legislation, first enacted in 1798 amid fears immigrants, particularly Irish Catholics, would side with the French in a potential conflict with the U.S., gave the president authority to imprison and deport noncitizens during conflict bypassing typical hearings. The legislation has been invoked just three times since: during the War of 1812, World War I, and most recently World War II. The Trump administration used his invocation of that act to deport a group of noncitizens it alleged were members of the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua. Anna Gallagher, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, said that immigrants accused of cooperation with Tren de Aragua need to have their due process rights respected in order to uphold the fair and correct application of law. (OSV News)
Group’s plans for ‘black mass’ at Kansas Statehouse prompt outcry
TOPEKA, Kan. — A Satanic group’s plans for a “black mass” in the Kansas Statehouse on March 28 are sparking widespread outrage among Catholics. The Kansas Catholic Conference condemned the event as a “sacrilegious” display of “anti-Catholic bigotry” and an insult to people of goodwill. Benedictine College in Atchison is dedicating its March weekly Holy Hours, Rosaries and Memorare prayers “to the intention of the conversion of those involved in the sacrilegious event and that faith will grow in Kansas.” (OSV News)
Bp. Sullivan of Camden, N.J., retires, is succeeded by Coadjutor Bp. Williams
WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of Camden, New Jersey, 80, and Coadjutor Bishop Joseph A. Williams immediately succeeds him as the ninth bishop of the diocese. The announcement was publicized March 17 in Washington by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. A native of Minnesota, Bishop Williams, 50, was named coadjutor for Camden by Pope Francis May 21. Before that he was an auxiliary for St. Paul and Minneapolis. Bishop Sullivan submitted his resignation to the pope when he turned 75 March 17, 2020, as required by canon law. (OSV News)
WORLD
Shroud of Turin to be digitally showcased during Holy Year
VATICAN CITY — The Shroud of Turin, one of Catholicism’s most valued devotional items, will be digitally showcased during the Holy Year 2025, allowing visitors to engage with the revered relic like never before. The shroud, a linen cloth many believe is the burial shroud of Jesus Christ and bears His image, traditionally draws thousands of pilgrims during rare public displays. The Archdiocese of Turin unveiled plans March 15 for a multimedia initiative featuring a full-scale digital version of the cloth to offer the faithful a new way to explore its image and mystery. “In this Jubilee Year, we have sought a new approach to the shroud, focusing on new digital technologies,” said Cardinal Roberto Repole of Turin at a news conference in Turin announcing the initiative. Visitors to the northern Italian city can experience the “Tent of the Shroud” in Turin’s main square, Piazza Castello, April 28-May 5, where the life-sized digital replica will be displayed on an interactive table. (CNS)
Pope approves next phase of synod, setting path to 2028 assembly
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has approved the next phase of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, launching a three-year implementation process that will culminate in an ecclesial assembly at the Vatican in 2028. In a letter published March 15, Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod, announced that the synod’s new phase will focus on applying its conclusions at all levels of the Church, with dioceses, bishops’ conferences and religious communities working to integrate synodality into daily Church life. “For now, therefore, a new synod will not be convened; instead, the focus will be on consolidating the path taken so far,” he wrote in a letter. Cardinal Grech told bishops that Pope Francis approved the three-year plan March 11. The final document of the synod on synodality, approved by Pope Francis in October 2024, emphasized synodality as essential to the Church’s mission and called for greater lay participation, mandatory pastoral councils and continued study on women in ministry and seminary formation. (CNS)
