World News
Ethnic minority army expels 8 priests, nuns, teachers from Myanmar
Catholic clergy and laypeople have been expelled from Myanmar's northern Shan state by a China-backed ethnic minority army.
Latin American bishops say young want a sincere, welcoming church
Bishops from Chile and Puerto Rico told the Synod of Bishops that the church must do more to help young people live out their faith and involve them in the life of the church rather than leaving them to find guidance elsewhere.
‘Watering down’ church teaching won’t attract young people, cardinal says
Just because some young people disagree with Catholic moral teaching, including in the area of sexuality, does not mean the church's teachings are unclear or should change, Cardinal Robert Sarah told the Synod of Bishops.
Synod groups focus on need for qualified accompaniment
The second week of discussions centered on discernment, vocations and accompaniment, and the 14 working groups, which are divided by language, each came up with a number of suggestions, critiques and recommendations for the synod's final document.
Lack of progress fighting hunger is shameful, pope says
At a time of technological and scientific progress, "we ought to feel shame" for not having advanced in "humanity and solidarity" enough to feed the world's poor, Pope Francis said.
Indian court grants bail, with limits, to bishop accused of raping nun
The Kerala High Court granted bail Oct. 15 on condition that the bishop, based in northern Jalandhar City, should not enter Kerala state other than to report once a fortnight to investigating police.
Superiors general see no reason why women shouldn’t have vote at synod
UPDATED - Although bishops should make up the majority of voting members at a Synod of Bishops, the fact that the body is only consultative means women should be included as full members just as priests and religious brothers are, said three priests who are voting members.
L’Arche founder Jean Vanier receives spiritual solidarity award
Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, is the recipient of the Spiritual Solidarity Award from Adyan, a foundation for interreligious studies and spiritual solidarity based in Lebanon.
Salvadoran archbishop asks pope to make Romero ‘doctor of the church’
Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas's request was met with cheers and applause from an estimated 5,000 Salvadoran pilgrims during an audience with the pope the day after the martyred St. Romero became El Salvador's first saint.
Religions that do not pursue peace are a contradiction, pope says
Religions, which are meant to build bridges, contradict their very nature if they stop pursuing the path of peace, Pope Francis said.