Kagi News - Catholic

Pope Leo convenes cardinals as unity agenda faces scrutiny

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 07:07:00 +0000

Pope Leo XIV opened an extraordinary consistory of cardinals on June 26 in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, asking members of the College of Cardinals to advise him with freedom, frankness and loyalty. The June 26-27 meeting, the second such gathering of his pontificate, included both voting and non-voting cardinals and followed a January consistory that some cardinals said had been too tightly managed. Leo said the encounters should help the cardinals and the pope “work together in the service of the Church” and continue “a conversation that helps me in the service of the mission and of the whole Church”. He also asked them to discern the action of the Holy Spirit in the Church today and to reflect on the world in which the Church must proclaim the Gospel. Catholic Culture’s Phil Lawler described easing divisions as Leo’s top priority. National Catholic Register commentary said Leo has an opportunity to clarify synodality, and +972 Magazine reported that Catholics pressing him on Gaza want him to speak more directly about Israel’s conduct.

Highlights:

Restoring a forum: The January meeting was the first such consultative consistory since 2014, when Pope Francis shifted away from the practice.
Meeting design: Participants said plenary interventions lasted only a few minutes each, and the agenda moved through prepared briefing papers on a rapid timetable.
Pallium Mass: At the June 29 Mass for Sts. Peter and Paul, Leo bestowed the pallium on 35 metropolitan archbishops and urged Christians to follow the saints' example in seeking unity.
Civic appeal: During a pastoral visit to Pavia, Leo warned against indifference and civic disengagement and invited residents to repeat, 'I care about our city'.
Ruini funeral: At Cardinal Camillo Ruini's funeral, Leo called the late Italian cardinal a 'wise and diligent shepherd' who served in both humble tasks and high responsibility.

I need your freedom, your frankness, and your loyalty. Sincere counsel is always an act of communion. - Pope Leo XIV

Perspectives:

Pope Leo XIV: Leo told the cardinals that communion requires daily conversion, prayer, trusting relationships and a willingness to listen to one another, and said their counsel was part of his service to the Church's mission. (Vatican News)
Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register: Pentin reported that the June meeting allowed cardinals to submit written contributions to the pope and included non-voting members, but noted that some participants still questioned whether the format allowed genuine open debate. (National Catholic Register)
Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture: Lawler argued that Leo's first public words, 'Peace be with you!', signaled a priority of easing Catholic divisions after years of confusion and conflict inside the Church and the Vatican. (Catholic Culture)
Larry Chapp, National Catholic Register: Chapp wrote that Leo's references to synodality appear tied more closely to episcopal collegiality and traditional governance than to broader language about a 'listening Church.' (National Catholic Register)
+972 Magazine: The magazine said Leo has continued Pope Francis' ethic of empathy, while Catholics pressing him on Gaza want more direct language about Israel's conduct. (+972 Magazine)

Sources:

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul: Pope Leo XIV Bestows Pallium on 35 Metropolitan Archbishops... - ewtnnews.com
Pope Leo XIV Convenes Second Consistory Amid Continued Concerns Over ‘Synodal’ Structure... - ncregister.com
Pope Leo Opens Consistory of Cardinals: ‘I Need Your Freedom, Your Frankness, and Your Loyalty’... - vaticannews.va
Pope Leo’s Top Priority: Easing Divisions... - catholicculture.org
What Pope Leo won’t say about Gaza is testing the Catholic Church - 972mag.com

UK police continue Ann Widdecombe murder inquiry after man's release

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:53:00 +0000

Devon and Cornwall Police are continuing a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister, Brexit Party MEP, Reform UK spokeswoman and Catholic convert. She was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon, on July 9. Police said the ambulance service called officers at about 11:40 a.m., and officers opened the murder inquiry the next day after forensic examinations began at the property. Police arrested a 26-year-old British man in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder, then released him and said he was no longer part of the investigation while the inquiry remained active. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said police were not treating the case as terrorism and had no information at that stage suggesting a political motive; investigators also appealed for information through a public portal. Widdecombe served as MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010, held ministerial roles under Prime Minister John Major, converted to Catholicism in 1993, and became known in Catholic and political circles for defending pro-life and socially conservative positions. Her management agents announced her death and asked that her family not be contacted, while specially trained officers supported her next of kin.

Highlights:

Scene work: Police maintained a cordon at Widdecombe’s property while specialist officers carried out forensic examinations, house-to-house inquiries and CCTV reviews in the surrounding area.
Public appeal: Investigators asked for information from anyone who saw suspicious activity near Haytor Vale or Haytor, including CCTV, doorbell-camera or dashcam footage.
Final appearance: Widdecombe appeared by video link on Talk TV on July 8, one day before she was found dead, and discussed Nigel Farage’s decision to trigger a by-election in Clacton.

This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. - Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson

Perspectives:

Devon and Cornwall Police: Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said investigators were keeping an open mind, had no information suggesting terrorism or a political motive, and considered it too early to say whether the initially arrested man knew Widdecombe. (Crux)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Starmer described the murder investigation as “shocking news,” said his thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family and friends, and urged people to rise above political differences. (Christian Today)
Cloud 9 Management: Widdecombe’s agents announced her death, offered condolences to her family and friends, and asked that the family’s wish not to be contacted be respected. (Crux)

Sources:

British Catholic politician’s death investigated as murder, police say - catholicworldreport.com
Police arrest man, 26, after murder investigation into death of Ann Widdecombe, prominent British politician and Catholic - cruxnow.com
British Catholic Politician’s Death Investigated As Murder, Police Say - ncregister.com
Murder probe launched into death of British Catholic politician Ann Widdecombe - angelusnews.com
Murder investigation launched into Ann Widdecombe's death - christiantoday.com
Ann Widdecombe murder case — What we know so far - thenews.com.pk
Śmierć polityczki z Wielkiej Brytanii. Policja prowadzi śledztwo w kierunku zabĂłjstwa - gazeta.pl
Former UK MP Ann Widdecombe murder probe launched - minutemirror.com.pk
Police launch murder inquiry following death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe - glasgowtimes.co.uk
Murder probe launched into suspicious death of former British minister - abcnews.com
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead, UK police say - euronews.com
Police in the UK arrest a suspect in the killing of former Parliament member Ann Widdecombe - newsday.com
Police launch murder investigation after former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead - dailypost.co.uk
UK police launch murder investigation into ex-MP's death - lemonde.fr
Ann Widdecombe Dies in Suspicious Circumstances - dailysquib.co.uk
Nach mysteriï¿œsem Tod von Brexit-Politikerin Ann Widdecombe: Mordermittlungen - nachrichten.at
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering Ann Widdecombe, Former U.K. Politician - nytimes.com
Murder investigation launched into death of Ann Widdecombe - reddit.com
Former British MP Ann Widdecombe found dead at home, man arrested on suspicion of murder - nzherald.co.nz
UK police arrest murder suspect in Ann Widdecombe's death - dw.com
UK politician Ann Widdecombe beaten to death in own home - boingboing.net
Britse politica Ann Widdecombe thuis dood aangetroffen, 26-jarige man opgepakt op verdenking van moord - vrtnws.be
Man arrested amid murder investigation into death of Ann Widdecombe - digitalspy.com
Brit politikus meggyilkolása és a nyomozás fejleményei - koznews.hu
Moartea fostei deputate britanice Ann Widdecombe, purtătoare de cuvânt a Reform UK: poliția a reținut un suspect - digi24.ro
Murder investigation launched into Ann Widdecombe’s death - gript.ie
Murder investigation launched after former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead - dublinlive.ie
Policie vyšetřuje smrt konzervativní političky jako vraždu - echo24.cz
A murder investigation is launched into the death of British politician Ann Widdecombe yesterday. Police say they have arrested a British man in connection with her death. (CNN) - cnn.com
Záhadná smrť političky: Polícia zadržala podozrivého - pluska.sk
Former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead at home as murder inquiry launched - belfastlive.co.uk
Britse politie onderzoekt moord op conservatieve ex-politicus - nd.nl
Police launch murder inquiry after death of Ann Widdecombe - irishnews.com
UK police arrest suspect in the killing of former Parliament member Ann Widdecombe - timesofisrael.com
Man arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe - heraldscotland.com
Man arrested on suspicion of murdering ex-UK minister Ann Widdecombe - scmp.com
Ann Widdecombe murder: Man, 26, arrested on suspicion of the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe - scotsman.com
Britská policie vyšetřuje pravděpodobnou vraždu pravicové političky - forum24.cz
Man arrested after former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead - cambridge-news.co.uk
Britanska policija preiskuje smrt nekdanje poslanke - sta.si
Murder investigation launched into death of former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe - thenational.scot
Police in U.K. arrest suspect in former MP's murder - thehindu.com
V Británii našli mrtvou protiimigrační političku, policie dopadla možného vraha - idnes.cz
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after death of Ann Widdecombe - myjoyonline.com
Polícia do Reino Unido investiga morte de ex-parlamentar conservadora - globo.com
Ann Widdecombe murder probe: Man arrested over former MP’s death released and no longer part of investigation - standard.co.uk
Ann Widdecombe: Mordermittlungen nach mysteriösem Tod von Brexit-Politikerin - lvz.de
Polícia britânica anuncia detenção de suspeito do homicídio de antiga política conservadora - expresso.pt
Man arrested on suspicion of murdering former U.K. minister Ann Widdecombe - theglobeandmail.com
Police in UK arrest a suspect in killing of former Parliament member Ann Widdecombe - japantoday.com
Ann Widdecombe, il giallo della morte della pasionaria della Brexit: si indaga per omicidio - ilgiornale.it
Före detta brittisk minister död – polisen misstänker mord - nyheter24.se
Police arrest suspect in killing of former UK minister Ann Widdecombe - france24.com
Zamordowano znaną brytyjską polityczkę. Policja zatrzymała podejrzanego - rp.pl
UK: Suspect arrested in murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe - ynetnews.com
Ann Widdecombe: Mordermittlungen nach Tod von Brexit-Befürworterin - faz.net
Ann Widdecombe: uncompromising politician who embraced TV fame - theguardian.com
Ann Widdecombe Death: Man, 26, Arrested As Police Appeal For Information - huffingtonpost.co.uk

Oslo bishop advances Sigrid Undset sainthood cause

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 07:06:59 +0000

Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo said July 8 that preparations are underway to open a canonization cause for Sigrid Undset, the Catholic novelist and 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, with the formal process expected to begin this fall. Hansen made the announcement during Mass on the island of Selja. EWTN News said the move would put one of Scandinavia’s most celebrated literary figures on the path toward possible sainthood while giving the Catholic Church in Norway a native candidate for holiness. Undset is best known for “Kristin Lavransdatter,” a trilogy set in the Middle Ages. Her research into medieval Catholicism led her to join the Catholic Church in 1924, and she later became a Third Order Dominican. During World War II, she fled to New York City and publicly backed Norwegian resistance to Nazism before returning to Norway after the war.

Highlights:

Pilgrimage setting: Hansen made the announcement during the annual pilgrimage Mass for the feast of St. Sunniva, as hundreds of Catholic pilgrims gathered in ancient monastery ruins on Selja.
Spiritual influence: Hansen said Undset’s books shaped believers, inspired them to live in Christ and bore witness to medieval saints.

She is far more than an author and Nobel Prize laureate. For us, she is a model of Christian faith, of a life lived in virtue and of the pursuit of holiness - Bishop Fredrik Hansen

Perspectives:

Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo: Hansen cited Undset’s Christian faith, virtue, concern for the poor, care for her daughter and commitment to life as reasons for pursuing the cause. (The Catholic Spirit)
Dagen: The Swedish Christian newspaper framed the development as a possible path to beatification and eventual canonization, noting that Undset could become Norway’s second female saint. (Dagen)
Aleteia: Aleteia described the diocesan step as the start of a formal Church investigation into whether Undset lived heroic virtue in a way that could support official recognition as a saint. (Aleteia)

Sources:

Nobel Prize-Winning Catholic Novelist Sigrid Undset’s Canonization Cause to Open in Oslo... - ewtnnews.com
Cause for novelist Sigrid Undset’s canonization expected to open in fall - thecatholicspirit.com
Sigrid Undset cause for canonization to open this fall - aleteia.org
Norsk Nobelpristagare kan komma att helgonförklaras - dagen.se

Catholic writers examine Sunday’s parable of the sower

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 07:06:58 +0000

Catholic commentators wrote ahead of the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, on July 12, focusing on Matthew 13:1-23, the parable of the sower. The shorter Mass option is Matthew 13:1-9. The Sunday readings also include Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65, and Romans 8:18-23, and commentators linked the image of seed and soil to the word of God, creation and Christian response. The reflections offered different pastoral readings: Benedictine College writer Tom Hoopes described the parable as a test of how hearers receive Christ’s word; Father Michael Creagan in The Catholic Spirit warned against practicing the faith as a mere “check a box”; Msgr. Charles Pope in the National Catholic Register wrote that attentive reception of God’s word can transform a person; and Angelus News said the word “awaits our response”. In the Philippines, Bishop Sean Mejia told Catholics at Holy Rosary Parish in Oroquieta City on July 9 that evangelization belongs to every baptized Christian and should be lived through witness, not words alone.

Highlights:

Local conversions: Father Michael Creagan said about 1,600 adults entered full communion in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis this year, including 55 at St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater.
Scriptural pairing: OSV News connected Isaiah’s images of rain and seed to redemption after ruin, David’s everlasting covenant and the nations running to the Holy One of Israel.
Galilee setting: Hoopes cited Sower’s Cove on the Sea of Galilee as a possible natural amphitheater where Jesus’ words could have reached large crowds from a boat.
Assembly context: Bishop Mejia preached as Philippine bishops met nearby in the Archdiocese of Ozamiz for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ 132nd plenary assembly.

The Parable of the Sower shows just what a great risk Jesus took, and how much depends on us. - Tom Hoopes

Perspectives:

Father Michael Creagan: He focused on the parable’s third soil type, warning regular Massgoers that faith can remain alive yet become unfruitful when worldly “thorns” choke it. (The Catholic Spirit)
Msgr. Charles Pope: He wrote that obstacles to fruitfulness include stubbornness, hardened hearts and inattentive reception of Scripture. (National Catholic Register)
Father Joshua J. Whitfield: He presented the parable as an evangelical lesson, asking who will receive the Word of God and noting that not everyone receives it initially. (OSV News)
Bishop Sean Mejia: He described evangelization as “the birthright of every baptized Christian” and urged Catholics to serve people on society’s margins rather than seek recognition through Church titles. (CBCP News)

Sources:

This Sunday, Take the Parable of the Sower Test at Mass — and After... - benedictine.edu
Don’t Hide Your Faith Under a Bushel of ‘Prudence’... - catholicculture.org
A Yoke for the Childlike: A Reflection on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time... - stpaulcenter.com
Is our spiritual witness bearing fruit? - thecatholicspirit.com
Be Rooted in God’s Word to Reap a Good Harvest - ncregister.com
Bishop says faith demands witnesses, not mere words - cbcpnews.net
In this garden, together - osvnews.com
15º DOMINGO COMUM – Ano A – 12 de Julho - oclarim.com.mo
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: His Word awaits our response - angelusnews.com