World News
Church credibility ruined by silent hypocrisy, sister tells summit
The hypocrisy of Catholic leaders who claimed to be guardians of morality yet remained silent about clerical sexual abuse has left the church's credibility in shambles, an African woman religious told bishops at the Vatican summit on abuse.
Text: At abuse summit, Sister Openibo calls for complete transparency
Here is the prepared text of the presentation given Feb. 23 by Nigerian Sister Veronica Openibo, leader of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, at the Vatican summit on child protection. Sister Openibo was one of 10 women religious participating in the summit.
Tensions grow along Venezuelan borders
UPDATED - Tensions were high along Venezuela's borders after clashes protesting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's decision not to allow humanitarian aid into the country for millions of vulnerable citizens.
Vatican official urges reconsidering ‘pontifical secret’ in abuse cases
The secret ensures cases are dealt with in strict confidentiality. Vatican experts have said it was designed to protect the dignity of everyone involved, including the victim, the accused, their families and their communities.
Harming a child must be ‘line in the sand’ for removal, cardinal says
For the Catholic Church, there is a "line in the sand," which can never be crossed, and that is to not allow anyone who harms or would harm a child to exercise public ministry, said Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston.
‘We have failed,’ Indian cardinal tells bishops at Vatican summit
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India spoke of bishops' accountability, repentance and following God's will on the path ahead for the church regarding responses to the sexual abuse crisis.
Cardinal Cupich asks for new structure to ensure bishops’ accountability
The Catholic Church needs "new legal structures of accountability" for bishops accused of sexual abuse or of negligence in handling abuse allegations, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago told the Vatican summit on safeguarding.
French bishops urge mobilization against increasing anti-Semitism
In Paris Feb. 19, some 20,000 people rallied against anti-Semitism, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to announce new measures against extremism.
Clericalism, abuse of power, at heart of sex abuse crisis, cardinal says
The abuse crisis in the Catholic Church is a call for bishops to unmask the deep-seated clericalism that placed protection of the institution of the church above the sufferings of victims, Cardinal Salazar said.
Bishops at summit consider 21 action items to handle, prevent abuse
Pope Francis handed bishops and religious superiors points to consider for discussion in confronting the clerical sexual abuse crisis and the need to protect children in the church. Some survivors were unhappy with the list.