World News

Vatican acquires archive of pope’s former archdiocesan TV station

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican Television Center has acquired and can distribute hundreds of hours of television images of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires from 2005 until his election as Pope Francis in March. The images were filmed by Canal 21, the television station owned by the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires; the […]

At Vatican, Salt and Light Television screens documentary on synod

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world Synod of Bishops in 2015, the Vatican and Canada’s Salt and Light Television thought it was time to let more people into the synod hall. The result is the documentary, “Go and Teach,” which was screened June 26 […]

European churches welcome EU move to link aid to religious freedom

OXFORD, England (CNS) — Churches in Europe have welcomed pledges by the European Union to make financial help for countries around the world conditional on their protection of religious freedom. The Brussels-based Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, COMECE, said June 25 that action was needed “given the systematic and increasing violations […]

Ireland to pay women who worked in church’s ‘Magdalen laundries’

DUBLIN (CNS) -- The Irish Government will provide lump-sum compensation between $15,000 and $130,000 to former residents of church-run institutions. An independent report released in February found "significant" state involvement in the religious-run institutions, known as Magdalen laundries, where young women, many placed by the state, worked without pay.

Pope creates commission to study activities, mission of Vatican bank

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has created a five-person commission to review the activities and mission of the Vatican bank. The new pontifical commission, which includes two U.S. members, reflects the pope’s desire to ensure the bank’s activities are in harmony with the mission of the universal church and the Apostolic See, said a […]

‘All of us’ are equally important in the church, pope says at audience

Read the full text of the Pope’s speech VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The stability of the church requires that it be built on Jesus, but its beauty and strength also rely on the contributions of each and every Christian, Pope Francis said. “If someone tells you, ‘Go home, you’re not needed,’ that’s not true,” the […]

Syrian priest killed during rebel attack on Franciscan convent

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A 49-year-old Syrian priest and hermit was killed June 23, apparently when a group of rebels attacked the Franciscan Convent of St. Anthony in Ghassanieh, a village in the north near the Turkish border.

Syrian refugees need stronger international support, CRS chairman says

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Syrian refugees fleeing their homeland’s civil war deserve support from the international community in the form of food, water, shelter and education, said Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, of Tucson, Ariz., chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services. In a nationwide webcast June 20, World Refugee Day, Bishop Kicanas also called upon […]

UK archbishop calls for wider recognition of fathers in family life

MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The love a husband demonstrates for his wife serves as an example of respect to the couple’s children, the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales said. “Committed, faithful fathers are good for their children, for their educational achievement, psychological well-being and their social behavior,” said Archbishop Vincent Nichols […]

Calling Syria conflict ‘great tribulation,’ pope asks for prayers, aid

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling the Syrian conflict “a great tribulation,” Pope Francis said tensions throughout the Middle East must give way to dialogue and reconciliation. “Once again, from the depths of my heart, I appeal to leaders of nations and international organizations, to believers of every religion and to all men and women of […]