World News
On Assumption, pope says Mary is with God, listening to prayers
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Assumed into heaven, Mary is with God and is ready to listen and respond to cries for help, Pope Benedict XVI said. Joining God in heaven, Mary “does not draw away from us, does not go to an unknown galaxy,” but becomes “even closer to each one of us,” the […]
Vatican assessment discussed behind closed doors at LCWR assembly
ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Security was tight outside the doors of the ballroom at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis; no one was allowed in without the right color badge. Behind the closed doors women religious representing the majority of U.S. women’s congregations met several times during their Aug. 7-10 annual assembly to discuss their […]
Catholic congress celebrates richness of African spirituality, culture
BETHESDA, Md. (CNS) — Catholics of African descent — as well as all Catholics — are called to understand their faith, have confidence in what they believe and be willing to share the faith with others, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington told participants at the second African National Eucharistic Congress. That’s the response Pope […]
Torrential rains flood Philippine capital; 270,000 flee to safety
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Flooding caused by days of torrential rains forced more than a quarter million people from their homes in parts of the Philippine capital and surrounding provinces. The government said at least 50 percent of metropolitan Manila was under water, displacing an estimated 270,000 people, reported the Asian church news agency UCA […]
Catholic activist’s mother sets herself ablaze to protest detention
BANGKOK (CNS) — The mother of a prominent Catholic blogger died after setting herself on fire to protest her daughter’s detention for allegedly spreading anti-government propaganda, activists said. Dang Thi Kim Lieng, 64, set herself aflame near a local government office building in the southern city of Bac Lieu July 30, reported the Asian church […]
Priest’s homily reportedly lands him in Zambian jail
LUSAKA, Zambia (CNS) — Police detained and questioned a Catholic priest in Lundazi, Zambia, about the homily he delivered during Mass July 29, a fellow priest said. Father Viateur Banyangandora, pastor of the parish in Lundazi, was picked up at his residence by police at about 5 p.m., July 30, and was taken to Lusaka […]
Art and the meaning of life: Priests help visitors to Vatican Museums
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church teaches that beauty can be a path to God, and in an attempt to make that path easier for visitors to follow, the Vatican Museums have assigned two priests to guide the searching. Or just to talk. “Art and faith: A priest for you,” says the sign on […]
Papal book completed; new encyclical also possible
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has finished the third volume of his opus, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and perhaps also will publish an encyclical letter during the upcoming Year of Faith, said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The cardinal, Pope Benedict’s top collaborator, told reporters Aug. 1 that the pope had finished […]
Everyone can pray, have relationship with God, pope says at audience
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Everyone is given the grace to pray, which is the only way to have a life-giving relationship with God, Pope Benedict XVI said. Resuming his weekly general audiences after a month-long break, Pope Benedict continued his series of talks on prayer Aug. 1. (Watch a video of the audience.) The […]
Syrian refugees face ‘terrible’ situation, Catholic aid workers say
BEIRUT (CNS) — Refugees from Syria are in “complete darkness” about their future, said an official with Caritas Lebanon. Father Simon Faddoul, president of Caritas Lebanon, which has been working with Syrian refugees in Lebanon for 14 months, said there was a large influx of people during the last week of July as more than […]