World News
Good news from synod: God’s mercy and forgiveness are for all
The heart of the Synod of Bishops on the family is the challenge of discerning ways to reach out with God's mercy to people, who might not be perfect, and to help them move closer to perfection, said Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington.
Family life isn’t all bad, synod members say
The first week of the Synod of Bishops on the family ended with near unanimous calls to be more positive in describing family life today. There were also widespread questions among participants about the work they are expected to produce.
Archbishop Chaput joins in synod observation
At the Synod of Bishops on the Family currently underway in Rome, bishops have come together in small groups to study the working document that presents the issues under discussion. Archbishop Charles Chaput issues the following report critiquing the document's first section.
Syrian archbishops support Russian military intervention in civil war
Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo said that the bombing of rebel positions by Russian jets was "a source of hope" for Syria.
Pope, synod join in prayers for peace in Middle East
Gathered with a worldwide representation of bishops, including patriarchs and other bishops from the Middle East, Pope Francis dedicated the morning prayer of the Synod of Bishops on the family to pleas for peace in the Middle East.
Pope’s remarks seen as a road map of urgent actions for U.N. to take
Speakers at an Oct. 7 side event hosted by the Holy See's permanent observer to the U.N. said the organization's top priorities must be nuclear disarmament and the protection of civilians in conflict areas.
Philippines latest Asian nation to stand in for Australia on refugees
Asia's most Catholic country, the Philippines, is poised to burnish its reputation as the most refugee-friendly nation in Asia as it prepares to ink a deal with Australia to take in as many as 1,000 refugees from the controversial Manus Island detention center in Papua New Guinea.
Families need homilies connecting Gospel to real life, observer says
Catholics, she said, want their priest "to cover real facts of what's happening in the family and how important the family is today."
Ugandan bishops ask Catholics to prepare spiritually for papal visit
"The nature of this visit is primarily pastoral and spiritual," the bishops said in a letter signed by Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu, president of the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
French court dismisses genocide charges against priest; Rwanda not happy
"This decision lays bare a French court which claims to be independent, but merely serves as protector of a political and military class whose role led to the genocide," it said.