Catholic News Service
MELBOURNE, Australia -- China's ruling Communist Party continues to persecute at least half of China's more than 12 million Catholics despite last September's agreement with the Vatican on the appointment of bishops.
MANILA, Philippines -- A Filipino teenager who died could be on his way to sainthood after the Vatican declared him a Servant of God, the first step in the process toward sainthood.
CHICAGO -- Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich June 1 said the Illinois Senate's passage of a bill "eliminating even minimal limitations on abortions under previous law marks a sad moment in our history as a state."
HANOI, Vietnam -- Police in Vietnam have been accused of abducting a Catholic advocate for social and charitable activities.
BRUSSELS -- Catholic church leaders welcomed the outcome of key European Union elections as endorsing their continent's unity, but also called for stronger dialogue in European politics.
Missouri may be first abortion-free state
ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has told Planned Parenthood officials it will not renew its St. Louis clinic's license expiring May 31 unless the clinic makes changes to comply with various state health regulations.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- In a 64-50 vote May 28, the Illinois House passed an abortion bill the Catholic Conference of Illinois called "an extreme measure" that allows "for the abortion of unborn life at any stage of pregnancy and for any reason."
Missouri governor signs new bill to ban abortions
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signing into law a bill that bans abortions on or beyond the eighth week of pregnancy, the state's lawmakers" have taken a giant step forward for the pro-life movement," said St. Louis Archbishop Robert J. Carlson.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso -- Suspected Muslim extremists attacked another Catholic church in Burkina Faso, killing four people and raising the death toll among Christians to 20 in wave of violence in the West Africa nation.
COCHIN, India -- A financial controversy involving an Indian cardinal has taken another turn after his archdiocese demanded a federal investigation into allegedly fake documents it said are aimed at defaming him.