World News
Nicaraguan authorities block priest, families from attending Mass
A Nicaraguan priest has denounced intimidation by the police, who surrounded his parish in the city of Masaya, cut power and water to the building and prevented family members of political prisoners from attending a Mass in their honor.
Catechism will be updated to include ecological sins, pope says
Following through on a proposal made at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, Pope Francis said there are plans to include a definition of ecological sins in the church's official teaching.
Kenya bishops, pro-life groups reject Nairobi population summit document
Kenya's Catholic bishops joined with international pro-life groups in rejecting the final document from an international summit on health rights for women and girls because it supported practices contrary to African cultures and religious beliefs.
As baptisms drop, Quebec church rethinks children’s spirituality
Responding to a 28% decline in baptisms in five years in the Canadian province, church officials are studying how children experience faith and developing programs just for young kids.
Chile bishops urge talks to end protests, injustice country faces
Their pleas to end the violent protests came in two messages after demonstrators sacked the Assumption of Mary Parish in Santiago, the Chilean capital, Nov. 8, burning pews and statues. Other parishes also were attacked, including one in the southern city of Valparaiso.
Minority mission: Pope to encourage Thailand’s small Catholic community
The theme of Pope Francis' visit to Thailand is focused on mission, but in the Asian country where Catholics are a tiny minority, that mission is less about proclamation and more about witness, service and dialogue.
Spanish Jesuit will lead Vatican’s economy office
Pope Francis named Jesuit Father Juan Antonio Guerrero, who has a background in economics, to lead the Holy See's Secretariat for the Economy, which had been led by Australian Cardinal George Pell.
Belgium proposal aims to make abortion ‘normal procedure’
Belgium's Catholic bishops have criticized legislation to liberalize abortion by extending it to 18 weeks' gestation, from the current 12 weeks, with just 48 hours of obligatory reflection.
Find solace in St. Peter, cardinal urges New York bishops
With rumors swirling around about two of their members, the bishops of New York state during their visit to Rome heard encouragement from Cardinal Timothy Dolan at St. Peter's tomb.
Australian High Court to hear arguments in Cardinal Pell’s case
The most senior Roman Catholic official to be convicted of sexual offenses will now have a final chance to argue against his conviction on five counts of abuse.