We Are Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish

ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 5, 2025 / 15:19 pm (CNA).

The Archdiocese of Seville in Spain has announced that a young woman with Down syndrome who was initially prohibited from being a godmother at a baptism will be able to fulfill that role after “high-level” consultations with experts in canon law and pastoral care.

In late October, the offended family took their case to the media because a priest had refused to accept Noelia, a 19-year-old woman with Down syndrome, as a godmother.

In a Nov. 4 statement, the archdiocese explained that since the controversy broke out, it has gathered “all the relevant information and testimonies,” and “in agreement with the pastor and the family of the child being baptized, the archdiocese authorizes the celebration of the sacrament of baptism on the scheduled date, allowing the parents to put forward the godparents they had initially chosen.”

ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, confirmed through archdiocesan sources that one of the auxiliary bishops and the chancellor of the archdiocese participated in meetings with the family and the pastor.

The archdiocese reiterated that the Church wants to “foster the inclusion of all people in the ecclesial community, based on pastoral accompaniment and prudence,” saying it regretted “the harm caused by the handling of this situation” and calling “for harmony and dialogue based on the communion that should characterize the life of a parish community.”

At the initial meeting with Noelia and the baby’s parents, the pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Benacazón asked Noelia some questions about the baptism and the meaning of being a godparent.

Noelia, who was confirmed in the Seville cathedral by Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses, has “a serious difficulty expressing herself,” despite being independent in managing her daily life — for example, traveling to Seville by bus on her own.

The situation was also complicated because Noelia had not enrolled in the formation program for prospective godparents provided by the parish, which requires several biweekly sessions as well as Mass attendance there every Sunday, but had instead enrolled in another parish that offers a shorter preparation period.

The pastor, who, according to the same sources who spoke to CNA, “is not an expert in canon law but is very competent in pastoral care,” initially consulted the archdiocese. 

He attempted to resolve the matter according to the guidelines of the Instruction on Christian Initiation in effect in the diocese since 2015 with a unique proposal: Noelia could have a prominent role in the ceremony but would not be registered as the godmother. 

The decision displeased her family, however, and they appealed.

Now that the pastoral issue has been resolved, the outcome of the campaign undertaken by Noelia’s father, demanding the pastor’s removal “and a public apology,” remains to be addressed.

The archdiocese told ACI Prensa that the pastor is a “well-liked person who is doing very well and working very well with his team” in a social context where rules can be “difficult to understand.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

ACI Africa, Nov 5, 2025 / 14:04 pm (CNA).

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria has announced the release of two seminarians who were abducted in July during an armed attack on Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi while confirming the death of a third victim.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the assistant director of communications of the diocese, Father Linus Imoedemhe, recalled that during the July 10 incident, seminarians Japhet Jesse, Joshua Aleobua, and Emmanuel Alabi were abducted.

“We are grateful to God for the safe release of Japhet Jesse much earlier and, most recently, Joshua Aleobua, who regained his freedom on Nov. 4,” Imoedemhe said in the statement shared with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa. “However, with deep sorrow, we announce the passing of seminarian Emmanuel Alabi, who lost his life in the course of the ordeal.”

Imoedemhe went on to extend the condolences of the bishop of Auchi to the families of the victims.

“Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia has expressed his deep pain and sorrow over the loss of the young seminarian and has called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting the lives and property of all citizens,” Imoedemhe said.

The bishop has cautioned political leaders against “turning a blind eye on the worsening insecurity situation in the nation,” urging them to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people over political ambitions ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

In his statement, Imoedemhe invited the people of God to “join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and for the peace, healing, and security of our people and land.”

“The Diocese of Auchi remains committed to the values of faith, peace, and justice, trusting in God’s infinite mercy to bring comfort to the bereaved family, the seminary community, and all those affected by this tragedy,” he said. 

“May the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen,” Imoedemhei added.

The July 10 attack also claimed the life of Christopher Aweneghieme, a security guard at the seminary.

On Aug. 14, the Diocese of Auchi confirmed the authenticity of a viral video showing two of the three abducted seminarians.

The footage shows the two young seminarians with what appears to be a human skull, crying and pleading for their release while surrounded by gun-wielding individuals believed to be their captors.

Following the abduction, Dunia urged the families of the three seminarians to remain steadfast in prayer.

In a July 13 interview with ACI Africa, Dunia addressed the seminarians’ parents, saying: “Do not be crushed by fear, threats, or intimidation.”

“These things are not happening only at the seminary,” he said. “Some seminarians have even been kidnapped from their homes while on holiday. We must remain vigilant and do all we can to protect them,” the bishop said.

Dunia appealed to all levels of government — local, state, and federal — to take decisive action to address the challenge of insecurity. 

“There is a vast forest stretching between Edo and Kogi states, and that forest is where these criminals hide and launch their attacks. The government knows how to deal with this — they have the intelligence and the resources — but they must act.”

He warned: “If nothing is done, communities will be abandoned, and these criminals will take over our land. We must not allow this to happen.”

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

CNA Staff, Nov 5, 2025 / 12:50 pm (CNA).

The Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, is in the midst of a restructuring plan called the “Journey in Faith” initiative that will result in parish mergers and other major changes due to declining church attendance, financial pressures, and priest shortages.

At a homily he gave at the beginning of September, Archbishop Thomas Zinkula cited “dramatic shifts in population, culture, and finances within our archdiocese. We are using only 37% of our church capacities each weekend. Since 2006, Mass attendance is down 46% throughout the archdiocese.”

According to archdiocesan data, Catholic marriages have declined 57% and infant baptisms are down 22% since 2006. The only liturgical celebration that has increased is Catholic funerals, up 3% in the same time period.

Regarding the priest shortage, there is currently only one priest for every two parishes in the northeastern Iowa archdiocese of about 182,000 Catholics, with 85 priests actively serving in the archdiocese. The number is expected to continue to decline.

Zinkula told CNA on Nov. 5 that he understands that it is upsetting to parishioners to see, in the initial models of the initiative, their parishes without weekend Masses. 

He said, however, that the cancellation of Masses “is not the same as ‘closing’ a church, as those churches may still be used for other liturgical celebrations, such as funerals, weddings, and weekday Masses. They also can continue to serve as hubs for charitable outreach in the community and offer opportunities to grow in faith.”

“We are exploring models for grouping archdiocesan parishes into ‘pastorates,’” Zinkula continued, “and eventually merging each pastorate into a single parish, which typically utilizes multiple churches for weekend Masses. These models focus on strengthening relationships so we can share human and material resources.”

In a video message issued Sept. 2, Zinkula told the faithful: “I desperately want and need to hear from you.”

As part of the restructuring initiative’s three-month public input process, in September the Archdiocese of Dubuque held 34 regional informational sessions for parishioners to learn more about the process. Those meetings preceded the next step, local parish input sessions, that began in October and have allowed parishioners to provide verbal feedback through Nov. 21 as well as written feedback via the initiative’s website.

The archbishop explained to CNA that “the models currently under review are not decisions. They are starting points — designed to elicit reactions and perspectives. They have certainly done so, which is a good thing! I’m glad there is so much passion. It would greatly concern me if there was widespread apathy on this important topic.” 

Mark Tillman, a parishioner in Dubuque, told KWWL this week that he’s concerned “these draconian cuts to the rural parishes will be morally and spiritually devastating to our parishes and our communities will suffer.”

Tillman said his parish and the ones around it are financially stable. “It would rip my soul out to have my parish close,” Tillman said. “I’ve developed relationships. I have friends. I’ve worked with the parish. I go to confession. I do everything the church has asked me to do, and they want to take it away for me. I’m sorry.” 

Zinkula said in a statement in September that he knows how “difficult” it is to lose one’s parish: “My own home parish was once merged into a neighboring parish, so I understand the sense of loss this can bring. And yet, I believe with all my heart that this journey is worth it — because it can reenergize our parishes, draw back our children and grandchildren, and strengthen our mission to proclaim the Gospel.”

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 5, 2025 / 11:56 am (CNA).

The Congregation of Jesus (CJ) and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) unified about 1,800 sisters across 40 countries after officially merging into one congregation on Tuesday.

The two congregations of apostolic women merged “after years of prayer, collaboration, and shared ministry,” IBVM said in a statement. “We now share one name, one vision, and one spirit — continuing Mary Ward’s legacy together as a single, international congregation.”

The merger decree became official on Nov. 4 at a Mass and celebration in Loyola, Spain, presided over by Father Arturo Sosa, the general superior of the Jesuits. The Mass will be followed by a Nov. 5 symposium called: “Women of the Dawn: On the Threshold of New Beginnings.”

In 1609, Ward founded an apostolic institute of religious women modeled on the framework of the Society of Jesus. She wanted to create a community of sisters who were not cloistered, had no specific religious dress, and focused on God’s compassion. The institute broke off into two branches, but both remained dedicated to Ward’s mission.

IBVM members, also known as Loretto Sisters, will now be religious women of the Congregation of Jesus. Despite the change in name, the sisters said they remain who they have always been: “women inspired by the Gospel and dedicated to serving God’s people.”

As one unified congregation, the sisters said they will continue “working in education, social justice, pastoral ministry, and advocacy for women and those on the margins.” They will live out Ward’s belief that “women in time to come will do much.”

“We are very happy that we can finally fulfill Mary Ward’s dream of a united congregation of women religious with the same constitutions as those of the Society of Jesus,” said Sister Veronica Fuhrmann, general superior of CJ, in a press release. “We share the same charism, the same values, and the same understanding of mission.”

“Union of minds and hearts, which St. Ignatius has so aptly described and held in the highest esteem, is the bond that deeply connects us,” Fuhrmann said.

“In a fractured world, our members have freely chosen to become one congregation as a witness to Christ’s Gospel message of peace and harmony,” said Sister Carmel Swords, CJ, former institute leader of IBVM. “We have listened to the promptings of the Spirit and embark on this journey with renewed missionary zeal.”

“We believe that together we are stronger,” Swords said. “We move forward filled with gratitude and a desire to serve God’s people in freedom and joy.”

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 5, 2025 / 11:11 am (CNA).

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the 71-year-old archbishop of Washington, D.C., has been diagnosed with cancer but has a good prognosis for recovery, according to an archdiocesan announcement on Wednesday morning, Nov. 5. 

According to the statement, McElroy’s cancer will be surgically removed on Nov. 13, and his doctors “are in consensus that his prognosis is very good.”

“The precise diagnosis is that Cardinal McElroy has well-differentiated liposarcoma, which is a nonaggressive cancer that tends not to metastasize,” the statement read.

“Last night Cardinal McElroy spoke with the priests of the archdiocese about this diagnosis during their annual convocation and said to them that ‘I am at peace with this challenge and hope and believe that in God’s grace I will be archbishop of Washington for many years to come. I ask your prayers and support in these days and plan to resume full duties two weeks after the surgery,’” the statement added.

McElroy was installed as archbishop of the nation’s capital on March 11 following an appointment by Pope Francis. He was made a cardinal in 2022 while serving as bishop of the Diocese of San Diego.

The cardinal, who holds a doctorate in sacred theology and a doctorate in political science, assumed his role less than two months after President Donald Trump took office as president for the second time.

Although he wished the president well, McElroy strongly criticized Trump’s plan for mass deportations of immigrants who are in the country illegally, saying on Jan. 6 that “we are called always to have a sense of the dignity of every human person.”

“And thus, plans which have been talked about at some levels of having a wider indiscriminate massive deportation across the country would be something that would be incompatible with Catholic doctrine,” McElroy said at the time. “So we’ll have to see what emerges in the administration.”

In a Sept. 28 homily, McElroy urged Catholics to embrace migrants “in a sustained, unwavering, prophetic, and compassionate way” and to “stand in solidarity with the undocumented men and women whose lives are being upended by the government’s campaign of fear and terror.”

The cardinal referred to the ongoing deportations as “an unprecedented assault upon millions of immigrant men and women and families in our midst.”

“We are witnessing a comprehensive governmental assault designed to produce fear and terror among millions of men and women who have through their presence in our nation been nurturing precisely the religious, cultural, communitarian, and familial bonds that are most frayed and most valuable at this moment in our country’s history,” McElroy said.

McElroy’s comments came as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops continued to feud with the Trump administration over its immigration policy. Specifically, the bishops have expressed concern about the scale of deportations and the administration’s decision to rescind a rule that restricted immigration enforcement at houses of worship.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told CNA in July that enforcement at a house of worship would be “extremely rare,” adding: “Our officers use discretion. Officers would need secondary supervisor approval before any action can be taken in locations such as a church or a school.”

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