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The top two spots on Apple Podcasts are currently held by Catholic podcasts — “The Catechism in a Year” and “The Bible in a Year,” both produced by Catholic publisher Ascension. Father Mike Schmitz, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, and host of both podcasts, told CNA last week that in the course of recording hundreds of episodes of the podcast, he has been struck by the “beautiful” composition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a hefty volume that serves as the definitive summary of the Church’s teaching. Although the Catechism is specific to the Catholic Church, Schmitz said he believes anyone can listen to his podcast and learn from it. Schmitz said reading through the Catechism has served as a helpful reminder to him, personally, about many aspects of Church teaching. “The Catechism in a Year” is a sequel of sorts to the wildly popular “Bible in a Year” podcast, which began on January 1, 2021. “The Bible in a Year” has gone on to be downloaded some 430 million times.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253292/catechism-in-a-year-podcast
The US Catholic bishops are challenging the Biden administration after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced for the first time that pharmacies can distribute abortion drugs. Abortion pills account for half of all abortions in the US. “The Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching on upholding the dignity of all life, and that must include care for both women and their children,” the bishops continued. “We decry the continuing push for the destruction of innocent human lives and the loosening of vital safety standards for vulnerable women.”
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253299/catholic-bishops-condemn-biden-administrations-new-policy-on-abortion-pills
The Catholic bishops of Brazil condemned the violent seizure on January 8 of Congress, the president’s office, and the Supreme Court in Brasilia, the country’s capital. “The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), disconcerted by the serious and violent events in Brazil, calls for tranquility and peace, as well as the immediate cessation of criminal attacks on the democratic rule of law,” the Catholic leaders said in a social media post. A large crowd, presumably supporters of now former President Jair Bolsonaro, seized on Sunday various areas of the National Congress, the Federal Supreme Court, and Planalto Palace (the president’s workplace), which together comprise the seat of the Brazilian government. The violent protesters are demanding the resignation of Da Silva as well as intervention by the military. Several videos show broken windows and protesters walking in the Congress building.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253297/brazil-bishops-condemn-violent-seizure-of-congress-president-s-office-and-supreme-court
Today, the Church celebrates Saint Gregory of Nyssa, a fourth-century bishop who participated in several significant councils of the Catholic Church, including the Council of Nicea. It is very probable that Gregory was present at another council, the Council of Constantinople in 383. Between 385 and 386 he disappears from history, but not without leaving a significant number of theological writings. He made significant contributions to the doctrine of the Trinity and the Nicene Creed, which Catholics pray at every Mass to this day.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-gregory-of-nyssa-112