Home Opinion Week in Review | January 17, 2025

Week in Review | January 17, 2025

by Megan Marley

Our photo editor Bob Roller traveled out to Los Angeles this week to cover wildfire relief efforts, and in our phone conversations he’s noted that his photos cannot fully convey the desolation. “It’s like Hurricane Katrina,” he said.

But amid the destruction, a story of hope: a fire department captain shared with Bob in this video how they recovered a tabernacle containing the Eucharist, the holy oils and other church items from a burned church in Pacific Palisades.

Keep an eye for more stories on our social media @OSVNews, our daily OSV News podcast and on osvnews.com.

Megan Marley

Digital editor

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Shrine for deceased children offers ‘womb’ of mercy to parents, families

The Shrine of the Holy Innocents, tucked away on the campus of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass., offers a place of profound comfort for those mourning the loss of a child through abortion, miscarriage or other causes of untimely death. The shrine was inspired by the post-abortion healing ministry Rachel’s Vineyard, according to Father Anthony Gramlich, a Marian of the Immaculate Conception priest and assistant rector of the Divine Mercy shrine. 

PENNSYLVANIA: Thief steals precious crown from statue of Mary at Philadelphia church

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Jubilee Year gives new hope for ending, healing from abortion, says bishop


In farewell address, Biden issues warning about concentration of power

President Joe Biden used his farewell address to the nation on Jan. 15 to warn against the concentration of power not only in government but also in other elements of society, such as in corporations and the technology industry. The prime-time address to the nation from the Oval Office was a capstone to both his single term as president as well as a political career spanning five decades.

INAUGURATION: Brooklyn priest who will give benediction at inaugural bonded with Trump over gravesite visit

PARENTAL LEAVE: NY becomes first state to offer paid leave to expectant mothers for prenatal appointments

MIGRATION: Texas Supreme Court hears arguments in AG’s attempt to shut down Catholic ministry to migrants

VICE PRESIDENT: How will JD Vance’s newly found Catholic faith affect his vice presidential role?


‘The Rosary in a Year’ podcast: ‘Poco a poco’ to the Lord

“The Rosary in a Year” chart-topping podcast is a step-by-step journey to a deeper relationship with the Lord, its host told OSV News. “You don’t have to become a desert monk tomorrow, but can you take the next best step towards slowing down, cultivating your interior life, and experiencing the peace that only Christ can give,” said Father Mark-Mary Ames, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and director of both the order’s communications and priestly studies. 


Report: 20 years of data shows clerical abuse allegations down in US

A new report confirms OSV News’ previous finding that U.S. Catholic dioceses and eparchies have paid more than $5 billion to settle abuse claims filed over the past two decades — but credible allegations have declined significantly over the same period, with the majority of cases preceding a landmark set of anti-abuse protocols established by the U.S. bishops in 2002.

USCCB: US bishops report flags 5 top areas of ‘critical concern’ on religious liberty


Catholics turn to Mary and saints amid Los Angeles wildfires

As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, Catholics are seeking divine intervention through prayer to Mary and the saints. Some are calling specifically for the intercession of Our Lady of Champion, who miraculously protected a Wisconsin shrine during the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871.

EASTERN CATHOLICS: LA’s Armenian Catholics offer support, sacrifice amid wildfires, says pastor

EATON FIRE: ‘God does things for a reason,’ says pregnant mom of 4 who lost home in LA’s Eaton Fire

EUCHARIST: Fire captain makes way through ruins of incinerated church to find tabernacle intact


What responses to the LA fires can teach us in the Year of Hope

“The act of sustaining hope in our sisters and brothers when they are in need is no easy thing.” Elizabeth Scalia reflects on the California fires and enkindling hope.


Pope looks back on his life, urges people to look to future with hope

CNS ROME: “Hope: The Autobiography” was written with the Italian editor Carlo Musso beginning in 2019. Pope Francis’ autobiography was released Jan. 14 in its original Italian and in 17 other languages in about 100 countries. 

DICASTERIES: Pope appoints three US experts, two of them women, as dicastery members

NICAEA: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to focus on Creed

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Vatican City State puts AI guidelines in place

POPE: Pope injures arm in a fall, wears sling at audiences

VATICAN CITY STATE: Pope gives bonus to employees with three or more children

JUBILEE: Cuba to release 553 prisoners for Jubilee at pope’s request

FEAST Cardinal blesses livestock and pets at Vatican celebration

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE: Rome rabbi accuses pope of ‘selective indignation’ about Gaza


Paris has a new minor basilica — Notre Dame de Boulogne

After Notre Dame Cathedral’s splendid reopening, the attention of Paris Catholics turned to the nearby Church of Notre Dame de Boulogne Jan. 12 as it was solemnly elevated to the rank of minor basilica, following a decree from Pope Francis, signed June 29. 

NETHERLANDS: Christian persecution on the rise worldwide, new report says

NICARAGUA: Bishop Álvarez gives first interview since exile as Nicaragua cancels another Catholic group

NIGERIA: Kidnapped Nigerian nuns released unconditionally, congregation says

MIDDLE EAST: Holy Land church leaders welcome ceasefire with relief, urge delivering critical aid

SPAIN: Sister Clare Crockett, who lived ‘exceptional, holy life,’ begins road to sainthood as cause opens

SUDAN: US declares genocide in Sudan as country undergoes ‘unimaginable’ suffering


Embarazada y madre de 4 hijos que perdió su casa en el incendio de Eaton: ‘Dios hace las cosas por una razón’

Días después de que un incendio forestal destruyera su apartamento y todas sus pertenencias terrenales, Raúl y Claudia De La Rosa sólo tienen una cosa en la que apoyarse ante la adversidad: su fe católica.

Alianza dedicada a erradicar el tráfico humano: ‘Ha habido progresos’ en la lucha contra la trata de personas

Biden otorga al Papa Francisco la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad, el más alto honor civil de EEUU

Católicos invocan la intercesión de María y de los santos en medio de los devastadores incendios en Los Ángeles

El Papa reza por las personas afectadas por los incendios en Los Ángeles

Entre los escombros de una iglesia, un capitán de bomberos de Los Ángeles encuentra el sagrario intacto

Israel y Hamás alcanzan un acuerdo para un alto el fuego

Obispo: El Año Jubilar brinda nuevas esperanzas para acabar con el aborto y para la sanación


“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” (Lionsgate)

MOVIE REVIEW: Gerard Butler reprises his role as an unorthodox Los Angeles police detective. Dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation chronicled in the original film, he’s once again on the trail of one of the criminals he previously hunted, who has now joined a Serbian gang plotting a massive diamond theft in the South of France. The OSV News classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted.

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