World News
Mexican bishop rebukes government for crackdown on self-defense groups
NUEVA ITALIA, Mexico (CNS) -- A Mexican bishop has rebuked the federal government for sending soldiers to grab the guns of the self-defense groups formed to fight off violent drug cartels and criminal gangs in the western state of Michoacan.
Bishops visiting Holy Land call for help for ‘shocking scandal’ in Gaza
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Bishops from North America, Europe and Africa called on international leaders to act immediately so people living in the Gaza Strip can have access to basic necessities.
Rabbi says his friend, the pope, will face challenges in Holy Land
ROME (CNS) -- A rabbi who has known Pope Francis for almost 20 years and counts him as a close personal friend said the pope's May trip to the Holy Land will be a challenging balancing act because of the high expectations of Israelis and Palestinians and of Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Jerusalem patriarch thanks CRS for 50 years of presence in Holy Land
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Catholic Relief Services' work in the Holy Land has been an authentic expression of the Christian faith, encouraging a love of God and a move to action, said Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem.
Pope encourages ecumenism in response to secularism
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said the evangelization of secular society requires focusing on the essentials of Christianity in collaboration with other Christian churches.
Scandal, defeat come when clergy, lay refuse to let God transform them
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Priests, bishops and lay Catholics who cause scandal are living lives cut off from God, and their corruption ends up poisoning others, Pope Francis said.
Vatican representatives testify before U.N. committee looking at abuse
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Testifying before the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child, a Vatican representative acknowledged the horror of clerical sexual abuse and insisted the Vatican was serious about protecting children.
Pope replaces cardinals serving on Vatican bank oversight commission
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis replaced four cardinals serving on a five-person commission overseeing the Vatican bank.
Ukrainian Catholic Church accuses government of Soviet-era repression
KIEV, Ukraine (CNS) -- The Ukrainian Catholic Church has accused the government of Soviet-style repression after it was threatened with new restrictions for backing demonstrators protesting the country's withdrawal from a deal with the European Union.
Pope: Persecuted Christians must hunker down, hold tight to God, hope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians facing difficulties and discrimination, especially in the Middle East, can learn a valuable lesson from Japanese Christians who survived by clandestinely baptizing, praying and hiding during 250 years of harsh persecution, Pope Francis said.