Bitter Winter

1 week ago | bitterwinter.org | Massimo Introvigne

by Massimo IntrovigneOn June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Wisconsin is barred from discriminating against the Catholic Charities Bureau of the Diocese of Superior and its faith-based assistance for the poor, elderly, and people with disabilities. Wisconsin denied Catholic Charities certain benefits offered to religious organizations based on the argument that, since it also helps non-Catholics, the charity cannot be deemed religious. In “Catholic Charities Bureau v.

2 weeks ago | bitterwinter.org | Massimo Introvigne

by Massimo IntrovigneJournalist Patrick McGee has published an alarming book called “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” (New York: Scribner, 2025). The book goes beyond business and explains why no one in the United States and elsewhere will confront China on its crimes against humanity (an expression used by the usually cautious United Nations about Xinjiang), despite the generous efforts of human rights activists.

2 weeks ago | bitterwinter.org | Massimo Introvigne

by Massimo IntrovigneOn June 3, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, criticized a modification to Article 47 of Law 22/85, which governs Italy’s financial support for religions. Zuppi stated his “disappointment at the government’s unilateral decision to alter the purposes and allocation methods of the eight per thousand tax revenue.

3 weeks ago | bitterwinter.org | Massimo Introvigne

by Massimo IntrovigneForget about Turin, Italy’s so-called “city of magic.” Instead, focus on Naples. The intriguing book “Partenope degli spiriti” (Rome: Viella, 2024), edited by Francesco Paolo de Ceglia, persuasively argues that Naples is the heart of Italian miracles, spiritualism, and esotericism. This volume explores the city’s rich spiritual heritage and wonders, addressing topics ranging from religion and esotericism to magic and social history.

3 weeks ago | bitterwinter.org | Marco Respinti

by Marco RespintiRecently, two videos emerged from Pakistan featuring sermons by clerics linked to the ultra-fundamentalist organization Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), to which “Bitter Winter” devoted a series of articles. These speeches chillingly call for the killing of Ahmadis.