Browse › 2017 › June

June 2017

June 18

Displaced near South Sudanese border live on mangoes, sweet potatoes

June 18, 2017

RIIMENZE, South Sudan – Violence near South Sudan's border with Congo has driven 6,000 people from the countryside to shelter in the shadows of the village church, where some have been surviving on mangoes.

British Christians wonder if there is room for them in politics

June 18, 2017

LONDON – Concern is growing among British Christians about their place in the country’s public life after Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, resigned over his religious beliefs.

Saving ancient Christian cultures…one story at a time

June 18, 2017

WASHINGTON – Ancient artifacts. Centuries-old legends. Prayers dating back to the time of Christ. An enemy seeking to destroy it all. And a team of dedicated scholars trying to save the memories before it’s too late.

Charting change: Vatican statistics track church health indicators

June 18, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The health of the Catholic Church can be measured in many ways, and the Vatican has a special office just for that purpose.

June 19

Be a Good Samaritan to Christians in Syria and Iraq, bishop pleads

June 19, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS – As the U.S. bishops discussed immigration at their annual meeting this week, one Syriac Catholic bishop begged them not to forget Christian refugees in Syria and the Middle East.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow for victims of London Grenfell Tower fire

June 19, 2017

VATICAN CITY – On Saturday Pope Francis expressed his sorrow for the victims of a devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London, offering his condolences for the families of those who have died.

Eucharist is reminder of God's love, call to unity, Pope says

June 19, 2017

ROME – The Eucharist is a tangible reminder of God's love, and receiving Communion is a call to work to build the body of Christ by loving others and shunning all that sows division within a community, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis, German Chancellor discuss need to fight poverty, hunger

June 19, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Saturday, Pope Francis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met at the Vatican, agreeing on the need to dedicate special attention to the responsibility of the international community in addressing issues of poverty and hunger.

Academy for Life president defends nomination of Anglican theologian

June 19, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Pontifical Academy for Life is and always will be against abortion and is committed to involving increasing numbers of people in the defence of human life, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, academy president.

English cardinal after mosque attack: 'Repudiate hatred and violence'

June 19, 2017

LONDON – An English cardinal has condemned an attack against Muslims who had gathered close to a London mosque.

Pope Francis to visit Chile, Peru in January 2018

June 19, 2017

LIMA, Peru – The Holy See Press Office announced Monday that Pope Francis will travel to Chile from January 15 to 18 and Peru from January 18 to 21, 2018.

Lebanese cardinal praises new law that paves way for elections

June 19, 2017

BEIRUT – Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai commended Lebanon's political parties for ratifying a new electoral law.

Religious, indigenous leaders seek to save rainforests

June 19, 2017

ROME – Religious and indigenous leaders from 21 countries gathered in Norway on Monday to launch a new initiative aimed at saving the world’s tropical rainforests from the impact of deforestation and climate change.

June 20

Newark archdiocese defends welcoming of LGBT pilgrimage

June 20, 2017

NEWARK, N.J. – Last month Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark welcomed a pilgrimage of self-identified LGBT pilgrims, with an archdiocesan spokesman saying it should be seen in the context of welcoming everyone, not as archdiocese sponsorship of the event.

Manila Archdiocese collects blood to mark Cardinal Tagle's 60th birthday

June 20, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – Instead of material gifts, a priest and employees of the Archdiocese of Manila gifted Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle with their blood.

Church leaders call for dialogue after Trump changes U.S. policy toward Cuba

June 20, 2017

WASHINGTON – The retired Catholic archbishop of Havana called for dialogue between the United States and Cuba, and said it's the only way in which past and present problems can be solved.

Indonesian priests seek Vatican help in row with bishop over church funds

June 20, 2017

RUTENG, Indonesia – A group of priests in Indonesia's Ruteng Diocese appealed to the Vatican to intervene and resolve a dispute with their bishop, whom they accuse of misappropriating more than $100,000 in church funds.

Pope accepts early resignation of Vatican's first independent auditor

June 20, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Just two years after being hired to help with the Vatican's efforts in finance reform, Libero Milone – the Vatican's first independent auditor who answered only to the Pope – handed a request for his resignation to Pope Francis.

Central African Republic foes sign church-mediated peace accord

June 20, 2017

ROME – The government of the Central African Republic and 13 of the 14 armed groups in the country signed an accord aimed at ending an ethnic and religious conflict that has killed thousands of people.

Pope Francis surprises Pope Francis school with gifts

June 20, 2017

Toronto Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick suprised Pope Francis Catholic Elementary School in Kleinburg, Ont. June 16 with a special present directly from the Vatican.