World News
Bishop links respect for environment to church’s sacramental life
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The link between respecting the environment and the sacramental life of the church is inseparable for one bishop overseeing a diocese that encompasses a collection of small islands in the South Pacific. Bishop Bernard Unabali of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, considers the link so unfaltering that when he baptizes a new member […]
Vatican official hopes fake papal tweets stop once official site opens
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Once the Vatican launches Pope Benedict XVI’s official Twitter feed before the end of the year, it’s hoped all the fake papal tweets will cease and desist, said a Vatican official. There are dozens of unofficial @PopeBenedict handles and usernames in a number of different permutations and languages on Twitter; many […]
Ambassador says tensions did not prevent US-Vatican cooperation
ROME (CNS) — Miguel Diaz, preparing to leave his post as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, acknowledged tensions between the Obama administration and the U.S. Catholic bishops, but said his goal always was to build bridges between the U.S. government and the Vatican. Meeting a small group of reporters Nov. 8, Diaz said he […]
CRS to work with Guatemalan partners after Pacific earthquake
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Catholic Relief Services will work with its partners in Guatemala and will offer whatever assistance is necessary after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck the country, said the agency’s country director. Anne Bousquet told Catholic News Service from Guatemala City that the agency contacted its partners Nov. 7 and would be working in […]
Pope sends $1 million in aid for Syria, cardinal delegate to Lebanon
Pope Benedict XVI appealed for dialogue to end the Syrian conflict, saying: "We have to do everything possible because one day it could be too late."
Don’t be satisfied with achievements; pursue greater good, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI called on people to never be satisfied with their earthly achievements because true happiness entails seeking out the greater good. He said people should “not be discouraged by fatigue or by obstacles born of our sins,” because striving for the greater good is demanding and cannot be built or […]
Latin Americans ponder abortion laws, safety and exceptions
SAO PAULO (CNS) — Maria Lucia Tavares, 43, works as a maid in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The mother of three girls is four months pregnant and hoping for a boy this time. “Although I don’t know how me and my husband will make ends meet with the extra […]
Dispute over $2.3 million water bill could hurt Jerusalem holy site
JERUSALEM (CNS) — A dispute over an unpaid water bill reportedly running to $2.3 million could threaten the daily functioning of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of Christendom’s most holy sites. The dispute stems from a unilateral cancellation of a long-term agreement — dating to Turkish rule — which exempted the Church of […]
Christians, Hindus must educate young to be peacemakers, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christian and Hindu parents, teachers and religious leaders must educate young people to recognize and resist ideologies that teach disrespect for certain groups of people and sow divisions in society, said the leaders of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Extending their best wishes to the world’s 1.1 billion Hindus for […]
Faith, science must cooperate to protect people, planet, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Dialogue and cooperation between faith and science are urgently needed for building a culture that respects people and the planet, Pope Benedict XVI told his own science academy. Without faith and science informing each other, “the great questions of humanity leave the domain of reason and truth, and are abandoned to […]