Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report on April 15 stating that the 2018 agreement between China and the Vatican has helped the Chinese government to increase pressure on underground Catholics. It has called on Pope Leo XIV to review or repeal the agreement and to press China to end the persecution. One priest cited by HRW was denied access to banking, phone services, and passports. Furthermore, there is a de facto ban on religious practice for persons under 18.
(PerMariam) — The watchdog agency Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that the controversial 2018 deal between China and the Vatican has “helped the Chinese government to pressure underground Catholic communities to join the official church.” According to a detailed new report issued by HRW, the Chinese state is only increasing its persecution of underground Catholics, and is doing so aided by the framework of the 2018 deal between Beijing and the Holy See regarding the appointment of bishops. “The 2018 Holy See-China agreement on bishops has helped the Chinese government to pressure underground Catholic communities to join the official church,” HRW wrote on April 15. Image produced via AI. Having been signed in 2018 on a provisional basis, the secretive Sino-Vatican deal’s specific details remain undisclosed: a peculiar air of mystery surrounds them. It has since been renewed a number of times, most recently in 2024 for a period of four years. The agreement is believed to recognize …
The Italian forces of UNIFIL replace the crucifix in Debel, Lebanon, which was destroyed by an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer. Video: debelalerts
God's Chosen People to host Middle East’s largest-ever LGBTQ festival in the Holy Land The Christians are nearly gone. Gaza is flattened. But God's Chosen People plan to build a veritable “Pride City” for the new Pride Land festival, which will transform the Judean Desert into a party destination with fifteen hotels and parties around the clock.
Tue Apr 21, 2026 - 3:09 pm EDTTue Apr 21, 2026 - 4:29 pm EDT (LifeSiteNews) — Israel’s official government X account announced “Pride Land,” a four-day LGBT festival set for June 1–4, 2026, at the Dead Sea—the lowest point on Earth. Billed as the largest such event ever in the Middle East, the gathering promises “nonstop celebration, community and connection” across a temporary “Pride City” in the Judean Desert, complete with 15 hotels, beach venues, all-day parties, and major performers. The perhaps ironic tagline of the post from the Israeli governments official X account—“Pride rises at the lowest place on earth”—resonated with some respondents who made reference to the depravity of the event while observing its physical proximity to the general region where cities had been destroyed by God for these exact sins. Pride rises at the lowest place on earth This June the Dead Sea becomes Pride Land, the biggest LGBTQ+ festival ever in the Middle East. Four days of nonstop …
Das neue Pride-Festival mit dem Namen Pride Land soll vom 1. bis 4. Juni die Mitte der judäischen Wüste in eine Pride-Stadt verwandeln, nicht weit von der biblischen Stätte Sodom und Gomorra am Toten Meer.
President Trump is not Mr. Nice Guy, nor is he polished or refined. Just the same, he is a billion times better than Biden. His values may not be TLM Catholic ones but at least he is a quasi-Christian, and he is trying to restore sanity to the USA.
Henri de Lubac Predicted the Rise of Constructive Atheism w/ Fr. Cajetan Cuddy Traditional Thomists are normally unfriendly to Henri de Lubac, but today’s guest, Fr. Cajetan Cuddy points out that Thomists are very indebted to De Lubac and should join him on the battlefield. Fr. Cajetan Cuddy is a Dominican priest, scholar, and Youtuber who recently presented at the De Lubac conference hosted by the John Paul II Institute on Marriage and the Family. He joins us today to talk about De Lubac and his critical insight into the rise of constructive atheism. Fr. Cuddy and Ben Eriksen talk about De Lubac’s response to this new threat to the human person. They also discuss the tendency of academics and intellectuals to focus too exclusively on the academic end of writing and researching while ignoring the search for truth and God who is much more than an intellectual principle. Their conversation not only provides insights into our modern culture but also demonstrates the crucial overlap between …More
Today, Leo XIV visited a notorious prison in Bata, Equatorial Guinea as part of his Africa tour. Inmates gathered in the courtyard, singing, dancing, and cheering, despite being soaked due to heavy rain. Leo XIV prayed with them and gave an Apostolic Blessing. Prisoners reportedly shouted things like “Freedom!” and “Libertad!” during the visit.
Una pioggia torrenziale cade durante la visita del Papa nella prigione di Bata I detenuti rimangono al loro posto e continuano a ballare e cantare. Si uniscono anche alcuni operatori del carcere Ballano e cantano sotto il diluvio. E gridano “Libertad” Scena impressionante
On April 16, 2026, in Lahti, Finland, British conductor Matthew Halls accidentally struck the soloist’s 1780 Guadagnini violin with a wide arm gesture The instrument, valued at around $1M, flew to the ground
Real Women of Canadahas posted another timely article to better understand the current and divided state of Canada. It's titled, " The Influence of Feminism in Canada." It serves to explain the economic and moral decline of Canada. And why over one trillion dollars in investments have left Canada during the last decade. It was former PM Just Trudeau who said that Canada was a post-nation state with no core values. He admired China. He also defined himself as a staunch, progressive, look-at-me male feminist. The lesson here to the rest of the world: don't be Canada. We thank Real Women of Canada and post the article with permission. Over the past several generations, Canada has greatly changed, in no small part, due to the increasing influence of feminism in many institutions and organizations. REAL Women is always grateful for competent and honest leaders regardless of their gender. This is in extremely short supply, especially at the federal level. There are some outstanding examples …
Several anonymous cardinals and curial officials told the Substack.com account The Pillar on April 17 that they do not expect any resolution to the question of the Mass in the Roman rite in the near future. Some Catholics had hoped the next extraordinary consistory of cardinals on June 26–27 would address the liturgical issue. Instead, Leo XIV chose to focus on Francis' document Evangelii Gaudium. One Vatican official said that Leo XIV was not very familiar with traditional communities or even the traditional liturgy, and that his primary concern was not liturgy but whether members of those communities accept the Second Vatican Council. As early as June 2025, the best friend of Leo XIV, Alejandro Moral, Prior General of the Augustinians, had already ruled out any return of the older form of the Mass under his pontificate. #newsVdgrmnvwkv
Paul VI killed the Old Mass; JP II gave it a tiny life; Benedict opened it up greatly, saying it had never really been officially done away with; Francis tried to kill it; Leo seems happy with Francis's decision. Zigzag, zigzag, what is the layman to think? "Officer, the light was green when I went through it." "Well, it's red now and you are in trouble." Why should the laity respect the governance of the Church?
Fox News (foxnews.com/…ound-noahs-ark-turkey-after-new-unde… Researcher believes Noah's Ark found in Turkey after new underground scans Researchers in Turkey say fresh scans revealed tunnels inside a debated formation near Mount Ararat, bolstering claims the site ma
In southern Russia, there’s a small town where natural mineral water isn’t just a wellness trend — it’s part of a real medical system. Doctors recommend it. Treatments are prescribed. And for many people, it’s completely free. I traveled to Yessentuki, a quiet town in the Caucasus Mountains, to see this for myself. What I found wasn’t what I expected. Instead of chaos or decay, I discovered a place built around healing — both physical and something deeper. In this video, we explore: Natural mineral springs used for health treatments How Russia’s sanatorium system still works today Historic mud bath clinics dating back to the Russian Empire And an unexpected spiritual dimension overlooking it all This isn’t just about water. It’s about a different way of thinking about health, lifestyle, and balance. Would you try a treatment like this? Do places like this exist where you live? Let me know in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Doctors Prescribe This? (Free Treatment) 00:20 …More
Henri de Lubac - Film Trailer Learn More and Donate Here: de Lubac | Henri de Lubac Documentary | Support … A Jesuit who survived two world wars and censorship, Henri de Lubac answered catastrophe with fierce clarity—and changed the Church in the process. Through letters smuggled under occupation, debates that shook Rome, and the shockwaves of Vatican II, his defense of the human person—made in the image and likeness of God—stood against atheism, crushing ideologies, and the hollow promises of a postmodern age. The film moves from trenches of war to council halls to today’s fractured public square, tracing how one restless mind became a compass for those searching for meaning and dignity. Ignatius Press is happy to have partnered with Glass Darkly Films and Sonic Palette productions to produce this film about one of the best theologians in the 20th century.
Two Israeli soldiers were sentenced to 30 days in military jail for smashing a statue of the crucified Christ in Lebanon. The Israeli army said one soldier used a sledgehammer while the other filmed; both were removed from combat duty. Six other soldiers were present and did not intervene or report the incident. According to 'The Guardian', such punishment is rare. In 2025, about 88% of alleged misconduct cases involving Israeli forces were closed or unresolved.
The Israeli military has sentenced two soldiers to 30 DAYS in jail for DESTROYING a statue in Jesus, per AP One of them was seen taking a SLEDGEHAMMER to the head of Jesus
Don’t believe they were really punished for this….they’re not punished for snipering women and children or abusing detainees so why do they assume that gesture of censure will be believed…not likely!
After Francis was confined to a wheelchair, he spotted a group of Paraguayan women and asked if they had brought chipa. When they handed it over, Francis sprang from his chair with remarkable agility to grab it himself.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich, Germany, has instructed priests and pastoral staff to perform "blessings" for homosexual couples and adulterers. A spokesperson confirmed to Die-Tagespost.de on 21 April that all pastoral practice should adhere to the German bishops' guideline, Segen gibt der Liebe Kraft ('Blessing Gives Love Strength'). This guideline is set to become a fundamental element of pastoral work across the Archdiocese of Munich. Training sessions for pastoral staff on how to conduct these "blessing ceremonies" are scheduled to begin in June. No couple seeking a blessing should be turned away. Priests who reject such "blessings" are expected to refer couples to either their dean or other pastoral workers willing to perform them. Furthermore, Cardinal Marx has urged that the "theological meaning" of the guideline be explained, particularly to those who may "still" struggle with the concept of such "blessings". Blessings for same-sex couples are already common practice in …More