With plans underway for the canonization of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández Oct. 19, as announced by the Vatican, a 16-year-old artist has created the world's tallest sculpture of the future saint.
The Supreme Court issued a ruling April 7 allowing the Trump administration to continue to deport migrants accused of gang membership using a wartime powers law for now, overturning a lower court that had paused such deportations. However, the high court also stressed that individuals subject to such deportations are entitled to judicial review, prompting an emergency filing before a federal court in New York the following day.
Catholic groups that minister to migrants and refugees are expressing concern over President Donald Trump's order to revoke the parole program that allows legal migrants from several Latin American and Caribbean countries to connect with sponsoring family members and work in the United States.
As a youth, Father Omar Guánchez was introduced to the priesthood by Father Richard Walz, a priest of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, who served as a missionary in the Diocese of Maracay, Venezuela, from 1991 to 2000. During this time, he served at San Bartolomé, where young Omar regularly attended Mass.
Pope Francis has called for both sides to "seek the truth" in Venezuela's contested election as the opposition denounces electoral fraud -- publishing tally sheets as proof -- while the ruling Chavista regime refuses to release the full information on the vote and cracks down on demonstrations.
Bishops in Venezuela called July 30 for the results of the nation's heavily disputed presidential election to be verified as protests break across the South American country over the official vote count -- which gave President Nicolas Maduro a third consecutive term.
President Joe Biden's plan to address the influx of asylum seekers attempting to enter the United States, including boat refugees landing on Florida shores, is likely more a bandage than a permanent solution, according to church officials in southern Florida. However, the plan does open up the possibility of Catholic parishes having a role in sponsoring some asylum-seekers.
It's hard to tell what exactly happened in a skirmish between U.S. Border Patrol agents and a group carrying a giant Venezuelan flag near the U.S.-Mexico border Oct. 31.
Pro-immigrant groups applauded a March 8 decision by the Biden administration to protect some 320,000 Venezuelans in the United States under a temporary immigration program.
After a boat carrying refugees was allegedly denied entry into Trinidad and Tobago and subsequently shipwrecked, Venezuelan bishops said the treatment of migrants fleeing the country constitutes a serious human rights violation.
For many Twin Cities Catholics, “Father Greg Schaffer” has become synonymous with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ mission in Venezuela. And not unreasonably so.
