World News
After school shooting, Mexican bishops stress family unity
Thirteen years of drug cartel-driven violence in Mexico has left more than 200,000 dead. It had yet to erupt in schools until Jan. 10 when a boy killed a teacher and wounded six students before killing himself.
Retired pope backs away from book on priestly celibacy
At the request of retired Pope Benedict XVI, his name will be removed as co-author of a book defending priestly celibacy. He had written only its first chapter, his aide said.
Deal to build trust lauded in Northern Ireland
Religious leaders welcomed a Jan. 10 political agreement that restores the suspended democratic institutions set up in the peace process that collapsed three years ago due to a lack of trust between the Irish and British governments.
Retired pope, Vatican cardinal write book defending priestly celibacy
Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah released "From the Depths of Our Hearts" after an exchange of "ideas and concerns" related to the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, where several called for the ordination of married elders.
French bishops’ OKs removing gender IDs on baptism certificates
The head of a bishops' council said the changes were made to bring baptismal practices into line with new gender-equality laws. The reformulation refers to "parents or other holders of parental authority."
Indian Court ruling on madrassas to affect Catholic schools
India's Supreme Court has allowed the government to screen teacher candidates in publicly funded Muslim religious schools. Church leaders say it violates their right to manage some 54,000 Catholic schools.
Government secularization in Spain worries church leaders
Spanish church leaders voiced concern for their country's future after the government pledged to legalize euthanasia, secularize education and strip the church of "improper assets."
Catholic leaders say Congo risks being broken apart by violence
Despite a new president, the African nation remains torn by conflict after two decades of war, with clerics lamenting a "traumatized and morally enfeebled population" that has been "bruised by atrocities."
German bishop dampens hopes of shared Communion
Bishop Gerhard Feige said a recent proposal by German theologians for Catholics and Protestants to reciprocally participate in the sacrament could fuel unrealistic expectations ahead of a major 2021 ecumenical conference.
Pope sets Jan. 26 as special day to study, share the Bible
The newly established "Sunday of the Word of God" has officially been dedicated to sacred Scripture because "we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures," Pope Francis said.