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Canadian bishops have pledged to work towards healing and reconciliation with the country’s indigenous populations, after the remains of more than 200 indigenous children were discovered in unmarked graves, at the site of a former Catholic residential school, late last month. It is unknown how the children died, or who they were. The deaths are believed to have been undocumented.
The European Parliament will vote next week on a measure that would allow access to abortion in all member states. The report would also recognize a right to abortion, and a redefinition of conscientious objection as a denial of medical care. Most of the European Union’s 27 member states permit abortion on demand, or on broad social grounds, except Malta and Poland, which have strong pro-life laws.
Catholic bishops in Austria are speaking out against assisted suicide. Austria’s top court ruled in December that assisted suicide should no longer be a criminal offense, because it violates the right to self-determination. It ordered the Austrian government to lift a ban on assisted suicide in 2021.
Pope Francis said Wednesday, that just as Jesus prayed for his friends while on earth, he also prays for each person eternally, before the Father in heaven. The pope made his comments during his general audience in Rome. He also prayed that the upcoming Solemnity of Corpus Christi would spark a deeper awareness of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Today, the Church remembers two fourth-century martyrs, Saints Marcellinus and Peter. Although the biographical details of the two martyrs are largely unknown, they became highly venerated after the discovery of their tomb, and the conversion of their executioner.