World News
Vatican calls on Muslim leaders to condemn Islamic State
The Vatican called on Muslim leaders to condemn the "barbarity" and "unspeakable criminal acts" of Islamic State militants in Iraq, saying a failure to do so would jeopardize the future of interreligious dialogue.
Iraqi Christians beginning to die in hot, crowded camps, witnesses say
Iraqi Christians driven from their homes by Islamic State fighters are beginning to die in crowded camps, witnesses claimed.
Catholic Iraqi refugees in Lebanon recall horror of militant attacks
The memory of that brutal June evening in his home near Mosul, Iraq, brought 48-year-old Joseph, now a refugee in Lebanon, to tears.
Two Nigerian archbishops suspend sign of peace to help prevent Ebola
In an effort to curtail the spread of Ebola, the archdioceses of Lagos and Abuja instructed their priests to suspend all forms of physical contact during Mass, including the traditional sign of peace.
As Ebola deaths rise, Ghana’s bishops urge screening at seaports
As the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency in West Africa, Ghana's bishops urged their government to be extra vigilant in screening people who enter the country by sea.
Caritas official: Emotional toll in Gaza worse than physical damage
The head Caritas in Jerusalem expressed grave concern for the Gaza Strip's residents with fighting once again erupting between Israel and Hamas.
Indian novice affiliate rape story turns out to be hoax
Church officials have expressed embarrassment that a nationally publicized gang rape of a novice affiliate in southern Bangalore turned out to be hoax.
Pope to send envoy to Christians forced from their homes in Iraq
Given the "grave situation in Iraq," Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Fernando Filoni to travel to the region to meet church and government officials, but especially to meet Christians chased from their homes by militants of the Islamic State.
Aid official warns of growing humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine
The president of Caritas Ukraine called the destruction in eastern Ukraine "enormous" and said help was needed from the international community. Fighting continued between pro-Russia separatists and Ukrainian government forces in early August.
Lebanon’s Maronite bishops condemn Islamist incursions
Lebanon's Maronite Catholic bishops underscored their "full confidence" in the country's military and security forces as the Lebanese army battled Islamist militants' incursion into Lebanon near the border with Syria.