World News

French cardinal reiterates innocence in abuse cover-up trial

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin and others are on trial for failing to discipline a local priest who allegedly abused children while running a Scout group in the 1980s.

‘Nationalistic tendencies’ threaten world peace, pope tells diplomats

As it did prior to the Second World War, the rise of nationalism in the world poses a threat to peace and constructive dialogue among nations, Pope Francis said.

Seek Jesus, adore him, serve him and others, pope says on Epiphany

People find Jesus only through humble love, and once they find him, they are called to offer him the gifts of their prayer, their adoration and their care of others, Pope Francis said.

Vatican: Investigation underway of bishop accused of abuse, misconduct

The Vatican press told reporters in a note Jan. 4 that accusations of sexual abuse against Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta, 54, emerged in the "autumn" of 2018.

British report scolds Indian government over religion-based violence

The Dec. 31 report, titled "Commentary on the Current State of Freedom of Religion or Belief" said anti-conversion laws in seven of India's states are used to threaten Muslims and Christians.

Irish bishops urge Catholics to ‘resist’ country’s new abortion law

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Northern Ireland, who also is president of the Irish bishops' conference, said in a message to mark the legislation that the new law "in good conscience cannot be supported."

German cardinal urges change in tradition ahead of celibacy discussion

In his homily at New Year's Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Munich, Cardinal Reinhard Marx said the church must, "in light of the failure" surrounding the clergy sex abuse crisis, modify tradition in response to changing modern times.

Filipino bishop tells Catholics to ignore Duterte anti-church tirades

In his New Year message, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said those who call God stupid and teach that it is useless to go to church are "anti-Christ."

Pope to U.S. bishops: Abuse crisis requires conversion, humility

The clerical abuse crisis and the "crisis of credibility" it created for the U.S. bishops have led to serious divisions within the U.S. church and to a temptation to look for administrative solutions to problems that go much deeper, Pope Francis told the U.S. bishops.

Hysterectomy can be morally licit in limited situations, Vatican says

The Catholic Church teaches that sterilization is morally unacceptable, but a hysterectomy could be morally acceptable if the uterus could not sustain a pregnancy, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.