Puerto Rican governor resigns amid massive protests
VATICAN CITY -- After nearly two weeks of massive protests in the fallout of scandals involving corruption and offensive private messages, Gov. Ricardo Rossello of Puerto Rico resigned from office, becoming the first governor to do so in the island's history.
Vatican women's soccer match canceled after protests
VATICAN CITY -- The members of the Vatican's women's soccer team decided not to play their first foreign match June 22 when a couple members of the opposing team lifted their shirts to reveal slogans protesting the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion.
The Diocese of Hong Kong has made a rare foray into politics, issuing a statement urging the city's government to "not to rush to amend" the city's controversial extradition treaty.
LINGAYEN, Philippines – The Catholic bishops of the Philippines have praised a cross-country march showing opposition to the restoration of the death penalty.
VATICAN CITY – As anti-government protests in Venezuela turned deadly, Pope Francis called for an end to the bloodshed.
Venezuelan Catholics face backlash for opposing government
CARACAS, Venezuela – After speaking against alleged government misconduct, human rights abuses and delay of free elections, Catholic churches and clergy around Venezuela are facing a wave of protests from pro-government supporters.
Mexican church calls for calm amid gas-price protests
MEXICO CITY – Mexican Catholic officials called for calm as angry protests over hikes in the government-set gasoline price consume the country.
Charlotte parishioners gather for prayer service, mourn protester's death
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Justin Carr's future looked bright. He had just celebrated his 26th birthday, started a new job, and was getting ready to settle down with his high school sweetheart and start a family.
MILWAUKEE – Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee called the violence that broke out in the city as part of protests over the fatal police shooting of an African-American man "a self-inflicted wound."
DALLAS – Religious and civic leaders called for peace after the July 7 slayings of five Dallas law enforcement officers when a sniper opened fire in downtown Dallas.
600 protesters rally in Toronto to oppose GSAs
An estimated 600 people packed a downtown Toronto square on May 31 before marching to Queen's Park to protest the Ontario Liberal government's Bill 13.
"We are here to make a very public statement against the absolutely totalitarian legislation called Bill 13," said Jack Fonseca of Campaign Life Catholics. "Dalton McGuinty has set before us a choice between liberty and tyranny. It's requiring the Catholic Church to violate its religious beliefs in many respects."