World News
At synod, young people call for more involvement, representation
Young people from around the world told Pope Francis and members of the Synod of Bishops that they no longer want to remain on the sidelines but want to take an active role in the church.
Youth outreach must begin with commitment to ending abuse, bishop says
Addressing the Synod of Bishops on the lack of trust many young people have in institutions in general, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, said the synod had an obligation to address the issue of clerical sexual abuse.
Bishops say young people need to be heard, not arrogantly lectured
The Catholic Church needs to communicate the beauty and intelligence of faith to young men and women without resorting to condescending and aggressive methods, Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles told members of the Synod of Bishops.
Young U.S. religious woman talks to synod about ‘accompaniment’
The first person under 30 to address the Synod of Bishops was Sister Briana Santiago, a 27-year-old member of the Apostles of the Interior Life from San Antonio.
Archbishop urges synod to use care with language on sexuality
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput told members of the Synod of Bishops that for the church "there is no such thing as an 'LGBTQ Catholic' or a 'transgender Catholic' or a 'heterosexual Catholic,' and the terms should be avoided at the synod.
Court in India denies bail to bishop accused of raping nun
A state court in southern India has denied bail to a Catholic bishop accused of raping a nun on grounds that he could influence witnesses if released from jail.
At synod, Sydney archbishop apologizes to young people for church failures
Archbishop Anthony Fisher apologized Oct. 4 "for the shameful deeds of some priests, religious and laypeople, perpetrated upon you or other young people just like you, and the terrible damage that has done."
Toronto doctors lay out procedures for euthanasia for children
Doctors from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children have laid out policies and procedures for administering medically assisted death to children, including scenarios where the parents would not be informed until after the child dies.
Open skies: Vatican Observatory preparing public stargazing tour
The plan is to open the unique space to the public starting in the summer 2019 with visits organized by the Vatican Museums.
How the synod works: Cardinal shares statistics, working rules
The synod's working document was prepared with input from an online questionnaire for young people, responses from bishops' conferences around the world and the results of a presynod meeting of young adults in March.