World News
Jesuit says U.S. war on drugs undermines Honduran democracy
SEATTLE (CNS) -- A priest from Honduras says the United States is repeating the same errors in Central America as it did in the 1980s, and his country is suffering as a result. Jesuit Father Ismael Moreno, who directs Radio Progreso, a feisty activist station on the Caribbean coast of Honduras, recently told several gatherings in Oregon and Washington that U.S. intervention in his country, supposedly focused on drug trafficking, has undermined democracy and fostered corruption.
Drop debate over arming Syria; forge efforts for peace, says patriarch
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Unless western nations immediately find ways to bring peace to Syria instead of debating whether to arm opposition forces, the country will continue to be in turmoil and a victim of the West’s indecision, said a Syrian patriarch. “It’s truly a pity, a great pity to not think in terms other […]
Battle with the devil: Pope Francis frames the fight in Jesuit terms
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the teaching of Pope Francis, the devil has a more dastardly agenda than just convincing people to break one of the Ten Commandments; “the enemy” wants them to feel weak, worthless and always ready to complain or gossip. In his first month in office, Pope Francis continually preached about God’s […]
Korean-American Catholics worried about relatives in South Korea in face of threats of war
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) — While North Korea marked the April 15 anniversary of its founder’s birth with flowers and remembrances, rather than more threatening rhetoric and missile tests, concerns about a nuclear attack on the U.S. continued to loom. Following weeks of war threats, April brings two significant anniversaries for North Korea. One was April […]
Chinese couples planning larger families as China rethinks one-child policy
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Young Chinese adults born under the nation’s one-child policy are planning their families based on personal experience as Chinese government officials debate the future of the state’s population control strategy. Many cite issues such as loneliness growing up and pressure as an adult to take care of elders as reasons to […]
Failure to evangelize makes ‘mother church’ a ‘baby sitter,’ pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — All of the baptized and not just the clergy are called to spread the Gospel, even in times of persecution, Pope Francis said in his morning homily April 17. The pope spoke at Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse where he has been living since […]
Best defense against sin, temptation is Jesus, pope says at audience
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Surrounded by the devil’s temptations and being susceptible to sin, people can always find help, support and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said at his weekly general audience. (In Spanish) “My dearest brothers and sisters, we have this advocate; we’re not afraid to go to him and ask him for […]
Pope’s G-8: Troubleshooters, outspoken leaders will help reform curia
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The eight cardinals named by Pope Francis to begin work on ways to reorganize the Roman Curia are predominantly active archbishops of very large archdioceses, but they also have a wide range of pastoral and organizational experiences and skills. The Vatican announced the members of the group April 13.
Pope names international panel of cardinals to advise on Vatican reform
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Amid rising concerns about corruption and mismanagement in the central administration of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis named an international panel of cardinals -- including Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley -- to advise him on the latest reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.
Adult stem cells offer ethical, effective cures, speakers say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Finding safe and effective cures to disease and illness does not have to go against moral and ethical principles; that was the message of a three-day conference at the Vatican on adult stem-cell therapies.