World News
Putting interreligious dialogue in action on predominantly Muslim island
It was the poverty and sense of isolation that drew the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary to Zanzibar in the first place. But when the violence started, even destroying their own church, it was their commitment to peace that made them stay.
Pope says Vatican rules on hiring, compensation still in force
In a letter to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, Pope Francis said that until a new apostolic constitution outlining the complete reorganization is prepared, St. John Paul II's 1988 document on the Curia remains in force as does the "General Regulation of the Roman Curia."
Philippines to host International Eucharistic Congress in January
Just over a month into the Year of Mercy, Catholics from around the world will gather in Cebu, Philippines, for the International Eucharistic Congress, an opportunity to remind Catholics that reaching out to all with the Gospel is a key act of mercy.
In a world at war, chaplains must help traumatized soldiers, pope says
As members of the armed forces endure physical and emotional scars from conflicts raging around the world, Pope Francis called on military chaplains to apply the healing balm of the sacraments.
‘Nostra Aetate’ at 50: The ‘Magna Carta’ of interreligious dialogue
Representatives of the world's religions gathered in Rome to commemorate and reflect on the 50th anniversary of "Nostra Aetate," the Second Vatican Council's declaration on relations with other religions.
Wanted: More exorcists to meet demands in Philippines
"These days we have around 80 to 100 cases at any given time," Father Jose Francisco "Jocis" Syquia, chief exorcist at the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism, told Catholic News Service.
What does the Philippine church look for in a potential exorcist?
Dominican Father Winston Cabading, a Manila exorcist, said in early training sessions with potential exorcists, they found priests from provincial dioceses had brought in psychics whose gifts for detecting spirits did not appear to have come from the Holy Spirit.
Peruvian-based Catholic movement pledges inquiry after claims of abuse
The allegations were described in a new book, "Mitad Monjes, Mitad Soldados" ("Half Monks, Half Soldiers"), by Pedro Salinas, a former member of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, who interviewed about 30 other former members.
Bishops from around the world plead for climate change action
The presidents of the U.S. and Canadian bishops' conferences joined leaders of the regional bishops' conferences of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania and Europe in signing an appeal for government leaders to reach a "fair, legally binding and truly transformational climate agreement" at a summit in Paris.
Time is now to end centuries of prejudice against Gypsies, pope says
Treated to music, dance and songs reflecting a unique mix of cultures and languages, Pope Francis called for greater respect, integration and care of Gypsy communities.