World News
Pope makes new rules to strengthen charities’ Catholic identity
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Warning that Catholic charitable activity must not become “just another form of organized social assistance,” Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules to strengthen the religious identity of Catholic charities and ensure that their activities conform to church teaching. The pope’s apostolic letter on the “service of charity,” (see the full text […]
Pope Benedict’s apostolic letter, ‘The Service of Charity’
The following apostolic letter of Pope Benedict XVI issued "motu proprio" on "The Service of Charity," dated Nov. 11, was issued by Vatican Information Service Dec. 1.
Faith-based groups seek protection for countries hit by climate change
DOHA, Qatar (CNS) — Representatives of faith-based development networks participating in the U.N. climate change conference urged governments to put aside national interests and protect the common good, especially those most vulnerable to climate change. Emilie Johann of the international alliance of Catholic development agencies, CIDSE, said the arrival of government ministers Dec. 4 should […]
Pope calls for world authority as ‘moral force’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world authority envisioned by two popes as a way to ensure global peace and justice would not be a superpower, but primarily a moral force with limited jurisdiction, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope made his remarks Dec. 3 to a plenary session of the Pontifical Council for Justice and […]
Reading Vatican II as break with tradition is heresy, prefect says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Traditionalist and progressive camps that see the Second Vatican Council as breaking with the truth both espouse a “heretical interpretation” of the council and its aims, said the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. What Pope Benedict XVI has termed “the hermeneutic of reform, of renewal in […]
World Youth Day vigil, Mass to be in neighborhood known for its beaches
SAO PAULO (CNS) — World Youth Day organizers have chosen a spot in Rio de Janeiro’s Guaratiba neighborhood, nearly 60 miles from the city center, for the vigil and closing Mass July 27-28. Rio Archbishop Orani Tempesta announced the venue Nov. 28 during a preparatory meeting for World Youth Day, which will run July 23-28. […]
Vatican praises new UN status for Palestine, urges full sovereignty
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican praised a United Nations vote making Palestine a non-member observer state but called for full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty as necessary for peace in the region. One hundred thirty-eight member states voted Nov. 29 to boost Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state” — the same status held by […]
Bishop, pro-lifers concerned that abortion may widen in Ireland
DUBLIN (CNS) — An Irish bishop and pro-life activists insisted that any legislation to provide abortion in limited situations would inevitably lead to widespread abortion. “If abortion is introduced, even on a very limited basis, it becomes widespread,” Bishop William Murphy of Kerry said during a radio interview Nov. 29. Days earlier, Irish Prime Minister […]
Britain opens inquiry into allegations involving end-of-life protocol
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — The British government has opened an independent inquiry into allegations that an end-of-life protocol is operating as a euthanasia pathway. It said the inquiry would investigate complaints raised by families who say that relatives have died after they were placed, without their knowledge, on the Liverpool Care Pathway. The framework, intended […]
Lebanese church agency helps refugees from Syria navigate UN system
BEIRUT (CNS) -- When Syrian refugees arrive in Lebanon, help begins with a phone call to the U.N. refugee agency -- if they can get through. In most refugee areas, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees has no fixed office; its staffers make only sporadic visits for which refugees make appointments over the phone. It's that phone call that is the problem.