World News
Philippine bishops’ head warns Catholics against fake news
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said misinformation is hampering sound decision-making, "many times with disastrous long-term consequences to persons and to communities."
South Sudan churches decry warring factions for ignoring people’s needs
The heads of the member churches of the South Sudan Council of Churches criticized the country's political leaders "on all sides" for placing political and personal interests above the needs of ordinary people, which they said has led to economic decline, famine and ongoing violence.
To ease tensions, Indonesian Catholics help Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Jakarta's recent tumultuous election -- which saw hard-line Muslim groups orchestrate the defeat of a Christian governor -- as well the discovery of several terror plots have increased fears of growing intolerance in the country.
Auza: At heart of human rights is respecting inherent dignity of all
Archbishop Bernardito Auza said, "the right to life of the unborn, of migrants in search of safety, of victims of armed conflicts, of the poor, of the handicapped, of the elderly and the right to life of those facing the death penalty continues to be ignored, dismissed and debated rather than prioritized."
Don’t fear ridicule, persecution from sharing the Gospel, pope says
Christians must never be afraid and must keep on going since "Jesus never leaves us on our own because we are precious to him," the pope said before praying the Angelus June 25.
Vatican calls on China to let bishop exercise his ministry
Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin had been coadjutor bishop of Wenzhou and should have taken over leadership of the diocese in September when his predecessor died. Instead, officials took him to northern China "on a trip."
God loves, chooses, is faithful to those who are meek, pope says
"He fell in love with our smallness and it is for this reason he chose us. He chooses the smallest, not the greatest, the smallest, and reveals himself to the little ones," not the wise and learned, the pope said.
Venezuela risks becoming Caribbean ‘North Korea,’ former leaders say
Two former Latin American presidents said the world is running out of time to find a solution to the crisis in Venezuela as President Nicolas Maduro aims to consolidate power over the country.
Living the Gospel is risky, embrace challenges with courage, pope says
"When Christians go about their daily lives without fear, they can discover God's constant surprises," Pope Francis told Serra International.
U.K. pharmacy regulator abandons proposal to strip conscience protections
The General Pharmaceutical Council has backed away from controversial proposals to abolish the right of people with religious convictions to conscientiously object to dispensing the morning-after pill, contraceptives and hormone-blocking drugs used by transsexual patients.