World News
German Catholic lay groups voice frustration with slow pace of reforms
On the last day of the German bishops' annual meeting, lay Catholics demonstrated and marched to demand "tangible concrete change" and credibility in the Catholic Church after they claim bishops have asked them for years to be patient.
German cardinal contributed to ‘crisis of trust’ on abuse, will take leave
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne will take a "spiritual sabbatical" after a Vatican investigation found his handling of clerical sex abuse allegations was not illegal, but he made major mistakes, along with other German bishops accused of covering up abuse.
Catholics in Africa celebrate Congo Basin, call to fight climate change
Conference speakers reiterated support for Indigenous people as custodians of the area's rich but diminishing biodiversity, and opposed rapid deforestation. The Congo "is very important not only for Africa but the entire world," said the head of a Catholic movement.
U.K. faith leaders urge action ahead of U.N. climate conference
Dozens of leaders from the major faiths in the United Kingdom urged government leaders to address climate change and promised their congregations would do likewise. The declaration was signed Sept. 20, looking to the U.N. Climate Change Conference, known as COP26.
German bishops’ meeting begins with appeals on church reform
While the head of the German bishops called for radical, visible changes that he said were needed soon and which could be a "door opener" for the worldwide process launched by Pope Francis, a fellow prelate urged the bishops to tap the brakes and follow the pope's directives.
Pope calls on Christians to build bridges of unity over division
"We can no longer live apart," Pope Francis said during his recent European trip. He used the metaphor of bridge-building to address issues including vaccine skepticism, migration, same-sex couples, denial of Communion and worldwide political polarization.
Public schools can display crucifix, Italian court rules
Italy's highest court ruled that all religious symbols can be "welcomed" as long as it is decided in a democratic, civil and "gentle" manner by students and faculty together, and not from a "tyranny" of the majority in the school community.
Pope: Bishops must handle Communion debate as shepherds
The debate about denying Communion to politicians who support abortion must be handled in a pastoral way, not by public condemnations that seek to "excommunicate" Catholics who are not in line with church teaching, Pope Francis said.
Eucharist heals from idolatry of ‘self,’ pope says at Mass in Budapest
After meeting with Hungary's leaders, Pope Francis presiding over the closing of the International Eucharistic Congress Sept. 12. He urged people to make time for eucharistic adoration. He said Jesus can "free us from the paralyzing slavery of defending our image."
Horrors of Holocaust must not be forgotten, pope tells Slovak Jews
Pope Francis spoke to the Jewish community at a memorial in Bratislava on a site where a synagogue once stood before it was destroyed by communist authorities in 1969 to make way for a bridge. He called the Holocaust "the worst form of blasphemy."