Enzo Bianchi, founder of the Monastic Community of Bose, died at the Molinette Hospital in Turin at the age of 83 after kidney failure led to a metabolic coma. Bianchi was a monk but never became a priest. A prolific author, he wrote extensively on Scripture, spirituality and contemporary Christianity. He addressed Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox audiences and became a regular interlocutor of secular intellectuals and non-believers. Bose: From Farmhouse to a Center of Ecumenism Bianchi was born on March 3, 1943, in Castel Boglione, Piedmont. His mother died when he was eight, and he grew up with his atheist and communist father. After studying accounting and beginning economics studies, he chose a different path. In 1965, he settled in a farmhouse at Bose, near Magnano in the province of Biella, arriving on December 8, the final day of the Second Vatican Council. Three years later, others joined him. The community included men and women, Catholics and Protestants. Initially viewed with …Ebisinga
France Requires Life Insurers to Cover Assisted Deaths: France’s new assisted-dying law requires life insurers to pay benefits when a policyholder dies through euthanasia. This applies even when the policy normally excludes suicide during its first year. It also applies to contracts signed before the law took effect. After repeated Senate opposition, the National Assembly approved the euthanasia law on July 15. The Constitutional Council upheld the contested provisions on August 14. The law was promulgated on August 18.
Some evangelical groups in India’s western state of Maharashtra are asking Christians to sign declarations confirming that they attend prayer meetings voluntarily. Maharashtra’s Freedom of Religion Law, which targets “forced religious conversions,” took effect on August 28. It prohibits conversions involving force, fraud, coercion, undue influence or inducement. Christian groups fear its broad provisions could be applied to ordinary religious or charitable activities. The forms, reported in Mumbai and neighbouring districts, state that Christians attend of their own choice, without pressure, inducement or threats. Some churches also request a photograph and an Aadhaar or PAN identification number. The declarations are not required by the government. The move follows several disruptions of Christian gatherings. The Indian Express reported nine police cases linked to five incidents between April and July. Christian leaders say the forms were introduced as protection against allegations …Ebisinga
[Saint John Chrysostom – IV-V Century AD; born: Antioch, Roman Empire/died: Comana, Eastern Roman Empire; aged 59-60, Archbishop; Church Father; Doctor of the Church; "golden-mouthed"] Against those who object because the devil has not been put out of the world: and to prove that his wickedness does no harm to us—if we take heed: and concerning repentance. 1. When Isaac, in old time, was desirous to eat a meal at the hands of his son, he sent his son forth from the house to the chace. But when this Isaac was desirous to accept a meal at my hands he did not send me forth from the house, but himself ran to our table. What could be more tenderly affectionate than he? What more humble? Who thought fit to show his warm love thus, and deigned to descend so far. On this account surely, we also having spent the tones of our voice, and the strength of our feet over the morning discourse, when we saw his fatherly face, forgot our weakness, lay aside our fatigue, were uplifted with pleasure; we …Ebisinga
"For if you lettest the adversary remain, the more slothful are injured, not on account of the more diligent, but by their own slothfulness; whereas if you takest away the antagonist, the more diligent are betrayed on account of the slothful, and neither exhibit their own power, nor win crowns."
Catholic baptisms in Ireland fall 30% in a decade: According to an Iona Institute report published on 18 August, Catholic baptisms in Ireland fell by 30% between 2015 and 2025. The study is based on figures from almost every diocese on the island. Falling birth rates account for around 60% of the decline, with growing secularisation accounting for the rest. The number of births fell by 18.8% across Ireland, including by 17.9% in the Republic and by 21.3% in Northern Ireland. Dublin recorded a 39.9% decrease in baptisms, falling from 15,759 to 9,465.
2 Video's included. Another widely reported case involved Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson. In 2020, his family brought him to Moscow for emergency treatment after he developed severe physical dependence on benzodiazepines, a class of prescription drugs commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Peterson later said Russian doctors helped stabilize his condition after previous attempts at treatment in North America had failed.
On August 27, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria called on the government and security agencies to step up efforts to combat killings and kidnappings following recent attacks in Benue and Niger states. In a statement titled “Stop the Slaughter in Borgu and Ukum, Stop the Killings in Nigeria,” the bishops said the country was experiencing an “unabated trail of blood and terror” that had reached an “intolerable crest.” The statement was signed by CBCN President Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna. The bishops cited the recent killing of 47 people in Ukum, Benue State, where another 17 people were critically wounded. They also condemned the abduction of more than 60 Muslim worshippers in Borgu, Niger State. They called for intelligence-led security operations. The aim is disrupting armed groups before they can carry out attacks. They also demanded the prosecution of the perpetrators and their sponsors, saying that “impunity fuels repetition.” Furthermore, the bishops …Ebisinga
Pakistan Honors Christian Nurse Who Saved Baby From Hospital Fire: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Christian nurse Razia Noreen will receive the Sitara-i-Khidmat, a national civil honor, for her bravery during a deadly hospital fire in Islamabad on August 26. CCTV footage shows Noreen running into the burning nursery at PIMS and coming out just eight seconds later with a newborn in her arms. The baby was the only newborn to survive. Tragically, 14 others died. Noreen wanted to go back for the other babies, but the flames and thick smoke made it impossible. “I can’t sleep. Those babies keep me awake,” she later said.
Extraordinary courage caught on CCTV at PIMS hospital in Islamabad. Nurse Razia Noreen runs into a burning nursery and emerges carrying a newborn—the only baby to survive the devastating fire. According to the official inquiry, just eight seconds passed between her entering the smoke-filled ward and coming back out with the child in her arms. A remarkable act of bravery in the face of tragedy.
Retired monsignor finalist for national Catholic award KTSM 9 NEWS Retired Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas, of the El Paso Diocese, is a finalist once again for a major Catholic award
Leo XIV announced that Honggang Liu, 55, was consecrated a Bishop for the Chinese Diocese of Datong on August 31. ChinaCatholic.cn admitted today that Liu was elected bishop-designate of Datong on 28 April 2026. Vatican.va wrote today that Leo XIV did not formally appoint him until 10 August. Thus, Liu was selected unilaterally through the Chinese process more than three months before the papal appointment. Career Cleric of State Church Liu has been since his seminary time a career cleric of the state-controlled apparatus “Patriotic association”. He became the state’s diocesan administrator of Datong in March 2005. He effectively administered the same diocese for two decades before becoming its bishop today. Chinese sources has called him for years the director of the Datong Municipal Catholic Patriotic Association and head of the diocese. Currently he is vice-director of the Shanxi Patriotic Association (provincial-level leadership post). Raising Chinese Flags in Churches In October …Ebisinga
Who won the war?
Cardinal: Traditional Mass Must Yield to Church Unity