A depiction of Our Lady by Romanian artist Teodora Axente has sparked controversy in Siena, Italy. The Virgin on this year's Palio banner os androgynous and departs from any Marian iconography. The Municipality of Siena commissioned Axente to create the Drappellone, the painted silk banner awarded to the winning contrada, one of Siena's historic districts, in the city's centuries-old Palio horse race. Axente was appointed by the city government on the proposal of Mayor Nicoletta Fabio. The banner was unveiled on August 10. It places the Virgin above Siena and its contrade, protecting the Golden Rose associated with Pope Pius II, and commemorates the 500th anniversary of the 1526 Battle of Camollia. Axente called the figure her personal vision of the Madonna and said the figures in the work were “more androgynous” and therefore “universal characters.” On August 13, the Archdiocese of Siena published a statement by Father Enrico Grassini, rector of the Collegio dei Correttori. He rejected …Bivule
– Folha de S. Paulo, February 6, 1978 – by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira This article is not strictly about human rights but about a particular psychology (or rather, a psychosis) that Carter has been promoting internationally with great fanfare. Of course, I will not address the whiny or festive support — depending on the mood of the various circles — that this campaign receives in leftist circles. Since leftism is the great beneficiary of the worldwide “Carterian” wave favoring subversives and terrorists, it is perfectly normal that the entire left should be sympathetic to it. What particularly attracts my attention, however, is that countless non-leftists take an illogical stance on this issue, which I will discuss next. By non-leftist, I mean here especially the bourgeois, large, medium, or small, perfectly jealous of his individual interests, and who follows with a hurried and vague gaze the news concerning trifles that lie outside that circle. Does he have religious or political …Bivule
Lourdes Bans FSSPX Masses: On August 13, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes, France, issued a statement concerning the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) pilgrimage to Lourdes. He cited the episcopal consecrations at Écône on July 1 and the subsequent decree of the Holy See. The FSSPX is no longer authorized to celebrate Mass or other sacraments inside the Lourdes Sanctuary, nor to organize public prayers there. Individual pilgrims remain free to pray privately. Bishop Micas wrote that he was aware the decision would cause “pain” and “perhaps incomprehension.” The FSSPX had held organized public worship at Lourdes for many years, including Masses, confessions, processions and public prayers within the Sanctuary.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider has issued his first public statement since Leo XIV declared six FSSPX bishops excommunicated on July 2, published on Diane Montagna's Substack. Schneider had previously appealed for liturgical peace, meeting with Pope Leo XIV in December 2025 and Cardinal Parolin a little over a week before the July 1 episcopal consecration. Bishop Schneider's central claim: in an extraordinary Church crisis, fidelity to unambiguous doctrine and traditional liturgy can outweigh obedience to ecclesiastical law. He opens with St. Athanasius, excommunicated by Pope Liberius in 357 for refusing communion with Arian bishops the Pope himself had recognized under imperial pressure. Athanasius was later canonized as a Doctor of the Church; Liberius was never canonized. Schneider treats Écône as a modern parallel — a forced choice between canonical obedience and doctrinal integrity. Bishop Schneider blames two distortions for narrowing this question: "legalism" (treating Church law …Bivule
US Sisters and the Macarena Retirement Tour: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) held its 70th anniversary gathering in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 14 August. They posted a video on Facebook showing elderly women in civilian clothes dancing the Macarena (1995). The fitting headline: "When Catholic sisters get together, watch out for the dance parties! ". Macarena was popular when the sisters were in their 50s. The LCWR represents the leaders of many women's religious congregations in the United States.
Dance party of "nuns": The LCWR 70th Anniversary Gathering was held August 11–14, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together Catholic women and men religious from the United States, Canada, Latin America and other parts of the Americas for prayer, worship, talks, discussion and community events.
And you wonder why vocations to the nunnery have collapsed. People who have a religious vocation take their lives seriously and look for serious opportunities
2. Historical Context and "Dance Manias" Catholic history records instances where mass dancing was interpreted through the lens of spiritual affliction or divine punishment. [1, 2] St. Vitus’ Dance (Chorea): In the Middle Ages, outbreaks of compulsive, uncontrollable dancing (now understood as a neurological or psychological phenomenon) swept through Europe. [1, 2, 3, 4] Spiritual Intercession: Victims were sent to shrines of St. Vitus, a Christian martyr, to pray for deliverance and healing from what many at the time feared was a demonic curse or affliction. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 3. Ritual Dancing and Entry Points Catholic moral theology warns against practices that willingly open a person up to the influence of evil spirits. Trance Induction: Repetitive, frenzied, or rhythmic dancing used in occult or neo-pagan rituals is designed to lower conscious defenses and alter the state of mind. [1, 2, 3] The Danger of Invitation: Exorcists warn that participating in dances meant to invoke …Bivule
3 U.S. Dioceses Are Booming With Priests Despite a Global Decline | SG News While priestly vocations continue to face challenges across many parts of the world, three U.S. dioceses are offering a strikingly different story: Charlotte, Wichita, and Arlington. What is happening in these Catholic communities? From Eucharistic adoration and vibrant parish life to faith-filled families, strong Catholic formation, and priests who joyfully invite young men to consider their vocation, these dioceses are showing what can happen when a culture actively encourages a call to the priesthood. In this video, we explore the factors behind their growing number of priestly vocations and the lessons other Catholic communities may be able to learn. Could these dioceses offer a blueprint for a new generation of Catholic vocations? Watch and discover the story. Stay Updated with @SGNEWS-SG – Faith, Society & Global Christian Perspective
Italian Diocese Expands Women’s Roles in Church Administration. Worse than Germany: The Italian Diocese of Trapani, is increasingly appointing laypeople - including women - to formal Curia and diocesan roles as the number of priests declines. The diocese now has fewer than 100 diocesan priests and is bringing in priests from Madagascar, Tanzania, and religious institutes to fill parish vacancies. Among the most significant appointments, lawyer Susanna Catalano has been named the diocese’s second vice-chancellor. Four lay Catholics will receive the instituted ministry of catechist, including two women, Francesca Messina and Caterina Vesco.
Trapani, mancano i preti ma crescono i laici in Curia: Fragnelli cerca sacerdoti all’estero e nomina la seconda vicecancelliera
During a secret Vatican consultation in 2016, six voters didn't simply doubt the Medjugorje apparitions but reportedly concluded that the devil was behind the phenomenon, Italian journalist David Murgia reported August 17 on IlSegnoDiGiona.com. Six participants in the confidential consultation of the Vatican's then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concluded that Medjugorje could not be explained without the “original, direct and foundational intervention” of the Evil One. Three of the six were reportedly cardinals. In Murgia's account, they considered Medjugorje not a “Mariophany” - an appearance of Mary - but a “Satanophany.” Their proposed judgment was constat de praeternaturalitate maligna: essentially, a finding of malign preternatural origin. The six were part of a larger group of 33 Church figures who submitted opinions on Medjugorje in 2016. According to Murgia, 21 rejected a supernatural origin, nine favored it, and three remained undecided. The six who attributed the …Bivule
"The reason the Church’s leaders persecute the most faithful Catholics is that, broadly speaking, the leadership of the Catholic Church on earth at this time is dominated by a network of active homosexuals and theological modernists." "Homosexuals reject the first principles of natural law. Modernists reject the first principles of divine revelation. Together, they reject the foundations not only of Christianity but of religion as such, and therefore of morality."
False movements in religion, science, politics move through phases. First the revolution phase where they blame bad fruit on the status quo, then the aftermath phase where they blame the bad fruit on the transition, then the cleansing phase where they blame the bad fruit on the infidels, then the bankruptcy phase where they blame the bad fruit on the lack of funding. Why did God let the Israelites wonder in the desert for 40 years? The answer may surprise you.
Cardinal Pizzaballa Visited Taybeh, West Bank: On August 15, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited the Christian community of Taybeh in the West Bank, amid Israeli military restrictions on access to the area. “We will continue to do everything in our power to preserve the ecclesial presence here, at every level of the Holy Land,” he said. He also urged Christians to defend their rights without giving in to fear or despair: “We do not want to give up or abandon our rights, our right to life. So be courageous. Do not be afraid.” He also warned against allowing the conflict to shape the community internally.
"Benedictus Moments“ - am 19. August "Benedictus Moments“ ist eine Reihe von 365 kurzen, täglichen Meditationen aus den Schriften von Papst Benedikt XVI. Die tägliche Betrachtung wird lebendig, wenn der Schauspieler Leonardo Defilippis die Worte des Papstes rezitiert und diese theologischen Juwelen so auf erstaunliche Weise zugänglich macht. Die tiefgründigen Einsichten des Papstes führen zu einer immer tieferen Entdeckung der Schönheit und des Reichtums unseres christlichen Glaubens, die Ihr Herz berühren und Ihre Seele erfreuen wird. Hören Sie jeden Tag zu und lassen Sie sich inspirieren! „Das Benedictus bezieht sich auf das Kommen des menschgewordenen Gottes in unsere Mitte. Christi eucharistisches Kommen macht aus einem Versprechen ein gegenwärtiges Geschehen und bringt die Zukunft ins Hier und Jetzt.“ – Papst Benedikt XVI. Aus dem Buch „Benedictus: Tag für Tag mit Papst Benedikt XVI.“, erschienen im Ignatius Verlag.
On July 20, at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, the 88th Annual Meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) elected Amy-Jill Levine, 70, as president for 2026–2027. She is the first Jewish president in the CBA’s history. Founded in 1936, the CBA is an independent association with longstanding institutional ties to the U.S. bishops. Its constitution says it pursues biblical scholarship “in conformity with the teaching of the magisterium of the Catholic Church.” Levine is a New Testament scholar and is a longtime member of the CBA. In spring 2019, she became the first Jewish scholar to teach New Testament at Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute. She has also had three audiences with Pope Francis. In a sermon at Washington National Cathedral on March 7, 2021, Levine said: “I’m a Jew. I don’t worship Jesus as Lord and Savior.” "Lectionary Revision Is Only A Start" In an interview published by The Christian Century in June 2023, Levine describes parts of the Gospel of John as …Bivule
It is illogical to be considered a scholar regarding the New Testament while denying the Word and the Truth contained therein within the context of Catholic theology and doctrine. But it is both illogical and heretical to make the appointment in the first place. From the excommunicating- happy Vatican, the sound of crickets.
The Mass in the traditional Roman rite plays “no separate or prominent role” in the Archdiocese of Cologne, "conservative" Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki told Die-Tagespost.de on the occasion of his 70th birthday on August 17. “I see myself entirely at home in the tradition and teaching of the Second Vatican Council,” Cardinal Woelki said. The liturgical reform was “one of the essential reforms” of Vatican II. The cardinal expressed gratitude to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), which celebrates the Roman liturgy at designated locations in the archdiocese. “I see this as an enrichment, because there have always been different rites in the Church,” he explained. His but: “The Novus Ordo Missae has a beauty and dignity that is in no way inferior to the Tridentine rite.” For Cardinal Woelki, the ars celebrandi is decisive. Liturgical abuses are not confined to the Novus Ordo, Cardinal Woelki believes. If Mass were merely "rattled off in ten to twelve minutes" - something that …Bivule
If any part of the NO has dignity and beauty matching the TLM it is only because that part that is beautiful is a remnant part of the Old Rite that was spared from the butcher’s (Bugnini’s) knife.
Ice Age Farmer @iceagefarmer USDA Confirms Farm Expenses Rising — Especially livestock The war on farmers (and especially on animal ag) continues as total U.S. farm expenditures climbed another 1.9% to a record $490.3 billion ... with an average spend per farm hitting $263,955 (up 3.1%). Farm expenses are rising — and many are going bankrupt or choosing to simply give up. hoosieragtoday.com/…26/07/28/usda-farm-production…
Leo XIV’s Peru Visit Prepared By Pachamama Offering: On 13–14 August, “Entrelazando Voces por la Dignidad,” a regional gathering of social organizations and Indigenous communities, took place in Cusco, Peru. Spanish-language outlets, including Vatican News, linked it to preparations for Pope Leo XIV’s November visit. Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera, auxiliary bishop of Cusco and CELAM secretary-general, inaugurated the gathering; Bishop Miguel Ángel Cadenas of Iquitos also attended. InfoVaticana video shows the event opening with an Andean offering to Pachamama/Mother Earth. Participants received coca leaves, performed guided breathing, blew three times on the leaves, and placed them with food offerings in bowls on the ground. Bishop Estrada is shown adding coca leaves to the offering. Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, Vatican official overseeing the dissolution of the community Sodalitium, also took part, placing coca leaves in the offering.
Un comisario pontificio y un obispo depositan coca en un «pago a la tierra»: Jordi Bertomeu oferente a la Pachamama