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A Chinese bishop was installed Tuesday as the bishop of Shanghai without the Vatican’s approval, according to Asia News. The report says Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Haimen was appointed to lead the Diocese of Shanghai by the Council of Chinese Bishops, the state-sanctioned bishops’ conference. Shen Bin is also the head of the Council of Chinese Bishops, Asia News reported. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Tuesday that “the Holy See had been informed a few days ago of the decision of the Chinese authorities to transfer [Shen Bin from Haimen to Shanghai] and learned from the media of the installation this morning.” He said he had nothing to add to the Holy See’s assessment of the bishop’s transfer for the time being. The Asia News report said the installation of Shen Bin as bishop of Shanghai happened without the Vatican’s approval and therefore in violation of the Vatican-China deal on the appointment of bishops.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254017/chinese-bishop-appointed-to-shanghai-without-vatican-approval
Judge Janet Protasiewicz, who garnered numerous endorsements and campaign funding from pro-abortion organizations during a contentious race for a seat on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, emerged as the victor Tuesday night in what proved to be the most expensive state Supreme Court race in history. The 2023 Wisconsin judicial race, which might have remained obscure in other years even within Wisconsin, garnered national media attention and record fundraising numbers this spring. Pro-life and pro-abortion advocates agree that Protasiewicz’s win could tip the scales against the state’s current abortion ban, which is currently being challenged in court. The April 4 election featured former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly and current Milwaukee judge Protasiewicz. Throughout the campaign, Protasiewicz has spoken openly about her pro-abortion views while insisting that she has made “no promises” to pro-abortion groups that she will seek to overturn the state’s current abortion ban.
Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michael Jackels of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa. An April 4 statement from the United States bishops’ conference said Jackels’ resignation was for health reasons. Bishop Emeritus Richard Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, has been appointed apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, the USCCB communication said. Jackels, who will turn 69 on April 13, has been archbishop of Dubuque since May 2013. He is scheduled to offer the archdiocese’s Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of St. Raphael in the afternoon on April 4. The archbishop was hospitalized for a heart attack in early May 2019. He returned to ministry six weeks later with the permission of his cardiologist.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254016/archbishop-michael-o-jackels-of-dubuque-iowa-resigns-for-health-reasons
Two more individuals have been indicted for violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), in connection with a string of pro-abortion attacks against pro-life pregnancy centers in Florida.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254023/face-act-charges-brought-against-two-more-abortion-activists-in-florida-jane-s-revenge-attack
Today the Church celebrates Saint Vincent Ferrer, a Dominican preacher who brought thousands of Europeans into the Catholic Church during a period of political and spiritual crisis in Western Europe.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-vincent-ferrer-426