World News

Synod groups on sexuality: Church welcomes all, calls all to conversion

Reports published by the Vatican Oct. 20 refer to a need to help young people who struggle with church teaching on sexuality or, more explicitly, those who experience "same-sex attraction."

Ukraine’s war forms young Christian leaders, archbishop says

A young person that has suffered, that has gazed into the eyes of death on the field of battle or who has braved bombs to save the life of civilians, understands the value of human life better than an arrogant priest or kleptocratic politician," Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk told the Synod of Bishops Oct. 18.

Bishop: Sudanese diocese strained with influx of South Sudanese refugees

"The total number of South Sudanese refugees has now passed 2 million; it is the largest refugee crisis in Africa, and the third-largest in the world," said the website of the UN Refugee Agency.

Indian diocese near China border sees faith increase, violence decrease

In one remote corner of India, a nation where Hindu nationalists control the government and have been accused of stoking intolerance and violence against religious minorities, the Catholic Church is faring quite well.

Vietnam releases, then exiles jailed Catholic blogger

Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh was freed after 2 years and 7 days in jail in Vietnam. A new stage in the life of a woman who fights tirelessly for human rights, national sovereignty and environmental protection will begin."

St. Paul VI’s legacy in Holy Land showcases a desire to build community

For Holy Land Christians, St. Paul VI left behind a legacy of Catholic institutions to serve and strengthen the community.

Church shelter in Guatemala swamped by Hondurans heading north

A Scalabrini shelter has served 1,700 Hondurans in a caravan seeking to reach the U.S. border. Staff is exhausted managing the "chaos," while migrants traveling on foot through the rain are sleeping outside.

Doctrine won’t change, but LGBTQ Catholics need care, U.S. observer says

One group's discussions at the Synod of Bishops concerning the LGBTQ community focused on how the Catholic Church could best minister to people who already feel attacked by the church itself.

‘Battlefield’ of polemics in writing ‘Humanae’ clouded stress on mercy

A scholar studying the development of the church's landmark teaching on human life 50 years ago says the politics of the past are present today, and they obscure St. Paul's respect for women and families' modern problems.

Church must reach out to young non-Catholics, Venezuelan says

A young leader from Venezuela proposed creating local "youth networks" where all young people can talk about their lives and grow in friendships in order to "discover the face of Jesus in friends and in those who most in need."