World News

Vatican finances ‘much healthier’ after millions found ‘tucked away’

A brighter financial picture emerged after "hundreds of millions of euros" were discovered in accounts that did not appear on balance sheets, said Cardinal George Pell, named by Pope Francis to oversee the Vatican's financial reforms.

Church needs more women theologians, their insights, pope says

Pope Francis said he was pleased that five of the 30 members of the International Theological Commission are women, but the body that advises the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as the church in general, need more women theologians.

Manila cardinal: Seek forgiveness for not taking care of environment

Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle told churches to pray for safety and forgiveness for not taking care of the environment ahead of a powerful typhoon approaching the Philippines.

Investigation of U.S. women religious wraps up, report due soon

The final report of a five-year, Vatican-ordered study of religious communities covering nearly all of the roughly 60,000 sisters in the United States will be released by the Vatican Dec. 16.

Filipinos batten down hatches as typhoon takes aim on islands

Catholic agencies prepared for another potentially devastating storm in the Philippines as Typhoon Hagupit continued to gain strength and approached the same region devastated 13 months ago.

Hong Kong cardinal surrenders to police to help end street protests

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired bishop of Hong Kong, joined the civil disobedience movement organizers who surrendered to police Dec. 3, with a hope to end the present occupation campaign that has lasted more than two months.

Irish bishops: Marriage between man, woman is matter of justice

Irish bishops have warned that presenting same sex-partnerships as equivalent to marriage would be akin to saying that the union of man and woman is no longer the foundation of society.

Faith groups ‘key’ to fighting Ebola, says U.N.

More cooperation is needed between the international community and faith leaders in stemming the ongoing Ebola epidemic, said a joint communique issued by the United Nations and the World Council of Churches.

Ignoring God, not glorifying him, leads to violence, pope says

It is the complete disregard for God, not his glorification, that leads to violence in this world, Pope Francis said.

Truth must prevail in abuse case against former nuncio, pope says

Pope Francis expressed his hope that truth prevail and justice be served in the Vatican investigation and trial of Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop and papal nuncio, who has been accused of sexually abusing young boys.