World News
Vatican says no blessing gay unions, no negative judgment on gay people
Homosexual men and women must be respected and may be blessed as individuals, but any form of blessing a same-sex union is "illicit," the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said March 15, offering three reasons for the decision.
Pope names woman scholar as secretary of biblical commission
Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, 63, is an Old Testament professor in Rome and the first woman to lead the commission. She will also serve as a consultant to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Annual collection invaluable to Christians in Middle East, cardinal says
The region's small Christian communities who have been devastated by the "year of trials" of the COVID-19 pandemic rely on the support of Catholics worldwide, a Vatican official said.
Vatican says general absolution still permissible during pandemic
Offering forgiveness of sins for the faithful without first hearing their personal confession may still be done where serious levels of coronavirus infections remain, a Vatican official said.
Some Kenyan Catholic doctors say no to vaccine, but bishops push back
Days after a Catholic doctors association urged Kenyans to shun the COVID-19 vaccines, the country's bishops have told the citizens to accept the inoculations. "Those doctors cannot and should not purport to speak in the name of the Catholic Church," said Archbishop Philip Anyolo.
Vatican official concerned by populist leaders ‘hijacking’ religion
Populist leaders who have arisen recently around the world know where the pockets of disgruntled people are, and they present themselves as messiahs using religion as a "convenient way" of getting followers, said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, head of the Vatican's evangelization congregation.
Iraq visit was ‘sign of hope’ for suffering people, pope says
Despite years of suffering due to war and terrorism, the people of Iraq continue to look to the future with hope, Pope Francis said in an audience in Rome. While he saw "the opened wounds of destruction," he also saw "around me the joy of welcoming Christ's message."
St. Andrew Kim radio drama a big hit among South Korean Catholics
The topics of the 30-episode drama, amidst nationwide celebrations of one South Korea's most revered martyrs, touch on issues such as the formation of adults, connecting with artificial intelligence and dialogue between the past and the present.
Vancouver archbishop works with provincial officials to get churches open
Churches currently are allowed open for weddings, funerals and private prayer at a maximum of 10 participants. Archbishop Michael Miller is seeking indoor services at 10% of church capacity with a maximum of 50 participants by Holy Week.
Catholic, other faith groups applaud decision to grant Venezuelans TPS
The Biden administration will allow some 320,000 Venezuelans to remain in the U.S. under a temporary immigration program. Venezuela's political conflict and cratering economy has caused 5 million to flee from the once rich nation.