News
Suit challenges government’s lockout of contracted military chaplains
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- While a bill asking the U.S. defense secretary to address the situation worked its way through Congress, contracted military chaplains were being prevented from offering Catholic religious services during the government shutdown, argued a lawsuit filed in District Court in Washington Oct. 14.
Vatican II continues to mark ecclesial life today, says archbishop
ERIE, Pa. (CNS) -- Archbishop Piero Marini, a Vatican official, recalls watching bishops day after day pour out of the Vatican hall where they gathered 50 years ago to formulate the constitutions, decrees and declarations that brought historic change to the Catholic Church.
For Internet rulers, the Vatican is officially .catholic
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As top-level Internet domain names are being rolled out and up for grabs, the Vatican has scored control of .catholic.
Foreign intervention against al-Shabaab necessary, church leader says
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- Foreign intervention in the fight against al-Shabaab militants in Somalia is necessary, but not an absolute requirement, said the leader of the Catholic Church in Somalia.
Church leaders assess damage after strong quake in central Philippines
BOHOL, Philippines (CNS) -- Bishop Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran said the church in central Philippines was still assessing damage after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake left dozens dead.
At least 13 dead as boat carrying pilgrims capsizes in Amazon
SAO PAULO (CNS) -- At least 13 people died and five were reported missing after a boat carrying devotees of Our Lady of Nazareth capsized in the Amazon River.
In Spain, more than 500 Civil War martyrs move closer to sainthood
TARRAGONA, Spain (CNS) -- A Vatican official moved more than 500 Spanish Civil War martyrs closer to sainthood during a special beatification Mass in Tarragona, the archdiocese that suffered most under "the Red Terror."
Malaysian court rules Catholic newspaper cannot use ‘Allah’
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CNS) -- A Malaysian court said a Catholic newspaper may not use the word "Allah" to refer to God in its Malay-language edition. A judge in the three-member appeals court said use of "the word Allah is not an integral part of the faith in Christianity. ... The usage of the word will cause confusion in the community."
German bishops’ conference investigating multimillion building project
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The president of the German bishops' conference said he is following with "great attention and great concern" the case of a bishop accused of making false statements in court and under fire for allegedly spending close to $40 million in renovations and new construction on his residence and diocesan offices.
Outgoing Vatican secretary of state stresses continuity between popes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican secretary of state drew rising criticism for failures of the Vatican bureaucracy he oversaw, stepped down Oct. 15 with a speech praising the pontificate of retired Pope Benedict XVI and stressing its continuity with that of Pope Francis.