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August 2016

August 1

Counterterrorism expert warns of radicalization in British prisons

August 1, 2016

CANTERBURY, England – A counterterrorism expert charged by the British government with investigating the spread of Islamist extremism warned of a threat to national security if a group of unnamed imams continues circulating hate books to young Muslims in prison.

Papal academy convenes summit to tackle world refugee crisis

August 1, 2016

VATICAN CITY – A papal think tank is convening a summit to tackle the threat to global stability posed by today's refugee crisis.

Bill aimed to protect #LGBT students' rights said to target religious colleges

August 1, 2016

WASHINGTON – A small independent Catholic college in Escondido, California, has joined the opponents of a state law aimed at banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by depriving colleges of state and federal student-aid funds.

Two conventions, two nominees, and a whole new culture war

August 1, 2016

PHILADELPHIA – Since the late 1970s, the political battle lines in the culture war have been clearly drawn and easily understood.

Slain French priest was attack on 'all of us,' imam said

August 1, 2016

WASHINGTON – Father Jacques Hamel's gruesome murder in northern France July 26 – by men claiming allegiance to the Islamic State – prompted sorrow and outrage from Muslim leaders around the world.

It's not right to equate Islam with violence, Pope says

August 1, 2016

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM KRAKOW, Poland – An economy that focuses on the God of money, not human beings, is the foundation of terrorism, Pope Francis said.

August 2

Pope Francis will await judgment on Cardinal Pell over sex abuse claims

August 2, 2016

ROME – Pope Francis says he will not address sexual abuse allegations against the Vatican’s finance minister, Cardinal George Pell, until Australian judicial authorities complete their investigation.

Witnessing Poland’s Transformation for Krakow 2016

August 2, 2016

“SDM Krakow 2016” flags flying from every street lamp, banners with Pope Francis’ picture above the doors of numerous churches, and groups of youth from all over the world singing hymns from every corner of Poland- this is just a small portion of the incredible transformation I had the pleasure of witnessing over my past month here.

Panama's bishops see World Youth Day 2019 as bridge, 'fiesta Latina’

August 2, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – Panama, which will host World Youth Day in 2019, is a small country, but the head of its bishops' conference has no doubts the church will be able to organize the event.

World Youth Day 2016 closing Mass

August 2, 2016

Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass in Krakow, Poland, on Sunday - World Youth Day - for a crowd of pilgrim faithful estimated at upward of one million people. The theme of the Holy Father's remarks to the gathered youth was how to overcome obstacles to building a real relationship with Jesus - whether they be obstacles that arise in one's own soul or obstacles one will inevitably encounter in the world and in society.

Pope names six women, six men to panel to study women deacons

August 2, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has appointed six men and six women to a commission to study the issue of women deacons, particularly their ministry in the early church.

At Father Hamel's funeral, Rouen archbishop urges forgiveness

August 2, 2016

ROUEN, France – During the Aug. 2 funeral Mass for Father Jacques Hamel, killed a week earlier by men claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen stressed the need for forgiveness.

Cardinal Macharski, 89, retired archbishop of Krakow, dies

August 2, 2016

VATICAN CITY – As World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow wrapped up, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, the retired success to St. John Paul II as archbishop of the host city, died Aug. 2 at the age of 89.

Catholics urged not to give in to hatred after French priest's death

August 2, 2016

WASHINGTON – While Catholics mourn the senseless killing of a beloved French priest church leaders have emphasized that shock and grief over this attack cannot fuel hatred against Muslims or immigrants.

August 3

Iraqi, Syrian minorities discuss what they would need to return home

August 3, 2016

WASHINGTON – Security tops the list of what Christians of Iraq and Syria want before they'll consider returning to areas they fled when the Islamic State and other extremist groups took over.

Knights of Columbus leader says Catholics cannot vote for abortion advocates

August 3, 2016

Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus fraternal order and one of the most influential lay Catholics in the church, has said that abortion outweighs all other issues in the presidential campaign and Catholics cannot vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights.

Jesus I trust you

August 3, 2016

Two weeks ago I left my home in Mission, BC, about an hour outside of Vancouver, and embarked on my pilgrimage to Kraków, Poland. There I would meet with two million other Catholics, Pope Francis and Christ Himself in the Eucharist. The prospect of seeing old friends at Kraków Airport and spending the next two weeks with them in a foreign country was enough to get me excited and yet there was something else that was calling me there. I was going to Poland, and I would spend two weeks in hard core prayer mode with the big guy asking Him all the big questions I needed answers to. Yes, I was finally going to get it all figured out. But no. That didn’t happen. Not even close.

Blessed Romero an example of faith for youths attending Panama's WYD

August 3, 2016

VATICAN CITY – For the young people who will attend World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, the life and martyrdom of Blessed Oscar Romero is a shining example of Christian faith in the midst of struggles, said several bishops from Panama.

Cardinal Ouellet tells Knights to re-read Pope's exhortation on family

August 3, 2016

TORONTO – Cardinal Marc Ouellet, once strongly identified with conservative resistance to any change to the ban on communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, has given a ringing endorsement to Amoris Laetitia, the controversial exhortation by Pope Francis that sums up two synods on the family.

Go for the solidarity, Pope tells Olympic athletes

August 3, 2016

VATICAN CITY – A more important prize than a gold medal is up for grabs at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro: a chance to experience solidarity and contribute to the realization that all people are members of one human family, Pope Francis said.