World News
Constituent Assembly will ‘mortgage’ Venezuela’s future, Vatican says
In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican called on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to respect the will of the people and respect the nation's current constitution.
Excommunication could be tool for fighting corruption, organized crime
A Vatican consultation group will consider initiatives to bolster the fight against corruption and organized crime, including by looking at possibilities for excommunicating members of the Mafia and other criminal organizations.
Mexican priest stabbed at cathedral in May dies
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera said that Father Miguel Angel Machorro, allegedly stabbed by an American man at the altar while celebrating Mass May 15, has died.
Ancient order, modern times: Order of Malta focuses on renewal
For more than 900 years, the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta has seen its fair share of victories, defeats and institutional changes. However, those challenges did not prepare them for the intense media scrutiny that followed a very public crisis in the order at the beginning of the year.
U.S. Catholic communications expert is first woman to be Signis president
An internationally recognized journalist, writer and communications professional, Helen Osman is the first woman and first North American to be president of Signis.
Religious leaders unite to fight Holy Land environmental issues
Christians, Muslims and Jews are together facing a heat wave and near-record electricity usage -- where available -- even as water levels in the Tiberian Sea are low and what little water remains in the Jordan River is polluted with saline and liquid waste or sewage.
Quebec bishop gets Vatican OK for nun to officiate at wedding
The bishop of the Canadian diocese of 9,300 square miles of rugged terrain served by 16 priests, no deacons and 75 sisters said the wedding was carried out according to a long-established provision of church law.
Dutch cardinal: Bishops warned of euthanasia’s slippery slope
Recent increases in euthanasia and assisted suicide deaths among psychiatric and dementia patients reflect the concerns church officials expressed years ago, said Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, Netherlands.
Ottawa archbishop surprised by negative reaction to robotic spider on cathedral
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast said he was surprised by the negative reaction to an artistic initiative after critics called the spider's placement "sacrilegious," "demonic," and "disrespectful" of a sacred space.
Tourism should benefit both travelers and local communities, Vatican says
While tourism can broaden travelers' horizons and improve local economies, it cannot be seen as being part of "sustainable development" unless it includes respect for workers' rights, the local culture and the environment, said Cardinal Peter Turkson.