Monday 6th July. Please find below this week’s media update, kindly provided by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Office of Communications and Evangelisation. The briefing includes coverage from Scotland and the wider UK, together with Vatican and international developments. Please click on the link in each item to be taken to the full article.
Scotland
Pontifical Scots College completes sale of historic Rome seminary building
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55358
At a glance:
- The Bishops of Scotland have confirmed the sale of the former Pontifical Scots College building on the Via Cassia in Rome
- The seminary had formed generations of Scottish priests since 1964
- Church leaders described the sale as the beginning of a new chapter in the College’s 425-year history
UK
Fr Stephen Wang appointed Bishop of Arundel & Brighton
Source: https://ewtn.co.uk/article-gb-a-shepherd-for-mission-fr-stephen-wang-appointed-bishop-of-arundel-brighton/
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Stephen Wang as the sixth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton
- The former Rector of the Venerable English College is widely known for his work in evangelisation and priestly formation
- He founded the Sycamore faith programme, which continues to introduce people to Christianity across the UK and beyond
Pope / Vatican
Pope Leo calls on Europe to meet migration challenge
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yz83n7q5no
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa and urged European leaders to respond to migration with compassion and long-term planning
- He called for greater support for migrants alongside efforts to address the causes of forced migration
- The Pope prayed for those who have died crossing the Mediterranean and met migrants on the island
Pope appoints Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead major Vatican department
Source: https://www.omnesmag.com/en/news/alessandra-smerilli-prefect-of-the-dicastery-for-integral-human-development/
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
- She will succeed Cardinal Michael Czerny when she takes up the role in September
- The appointment was announced alongside several other senior Vatican leadership changes
Worldwide
Irish priest’s legacy helps build first church for Catholic community in Pakistan
Source: https://www.rvasia.org/asian-news/legacy-gift-irish-priest-columban-missionaries-help-build-new-church-pakistan
At a glance:
- A legacy gift from the late Fr Brendan McMullan helped fund the construction of a new church in southern Pakistan
- The church will serve a small Catholic community that previously worshipped in temporary shelters
- The new church has been named St Brendan’s in honour of the Irish priest whose generosity made the project possible
Vietnam celebrates first beatification held on home soil
Source: https://www.rvasia.org/asian-news/vietnam-celebrates-first-beatification-home-soil-fr-francis-xavier-truong-buu-diep
At a glance:
- More than 70,000 Catholics gathered for the beatification of Fr Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep
- It was the first beatification ceremony ever held in Vietnam
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, who praised the witness of the new Blessed
Catholic nun released after immigration detention in Texas
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ice-release-nun-texas-leticia-ugboaja-b3005341.html
At a glance:
- Sister Leticia Ugboaja was released after being detained by immigration officials while walking to Mass in Texas
- Elected representatives intervened after concerns were raised about her detention
- The incident has reignited debate over immigration enforcement and treatment of legal migrants in the United States