World News
Nun’s canonization delays vote on Brazil’s social security reform bill
On Oct. 13, Blessed Maria Rita Lopes Pontes, known to Catholics around Brazil as Sister Dulce, will be canonized by Pope Francis at the Vatican. The canonization is expected to be transmitted live on TV to the entire country.
Catholics need to recognize ‘ecological sins,’ synod members say
Synod members said that an "ecological conversion" was necessary to ensure that Christians understand the "gravity of sin against the environment as a sin against God, against one's neighbor and against future generations."
Cardinal Sarah: To oppose the pope is to be outside the church
Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, said the people who portray him as an opponent of Pope Francis are being used by the devil to help divide the church.
The Christian battle is against evil, not people, pope says
When Catholics attack other members of the church, they are hurting Christ, Pope Francis said.
Caribbean lay consecrated missionaries building regional church
A move toward local missionaries after the Second Vatican Council has transformed into consecrated laypeople serving territories within the Caribbean region.
Synod members call for greater role of women, laity in ministry
Synod participants offered several proposals to address the lack of priests in the Amazon region, including revising the formation program for candidates to the priesthood and instituting new ministries for lay men and women.
Haitian bishops’ justice commission calls on president to step down
As Port-au-Prince began its fourth week of paralysis due to serious social unrest, the Haitian bishops' justice and peace commission called on President Jovenel Moise to step down.
First synod talks look at climate, priests, inculturation, Vatican says
A few presentations also focused on the question of ordaining married "viri probati," or men of proven virtue, as one possible way to help Catholics access the sacraments in very remote locations.
Bishops call on European citizens to wake up, rejoice
Church leaders from 45 European countries met in the run-up to Britain's Oct. 31 projected departure from the European Union and the Nov. 1 inauguration of a new European Union governing commission.
Indigenous bring needed diversity of expression to synod, speakers say
People in Western countries need to see the different cultural expressions of faith that exist in other parts of the world, said some participants at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.