News/International
The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in a 224-206 vote Feb. 25.
Lawyer: New report on abuse in Cologne will incriminate church officials
By Catholic News ServiceCOLOGNE, Germany -- The second expert report commissioned to investigate abuse in the Archdiocese of Cologne also incriminates church officials who are still alive and accuses them of mistakes in dealing with cases of sexualized violence, according to its author, Björn Gercke.
U.S. Supreme Court lifts ban on indoor worship in California county
By Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON -- A Supreme Court decision allowing indoor worship services in Santa Clara county, California, was praised by Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose, located in the county where the ban had been in effect.
At least 18 die in Myanmar coup protests
By Catholic News ServiceYANGON, Myanmar -- Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon called for patience and tolerance on a day when at least 18 anti-coup protesters were shot dead by Myanmar security forces.
Iraqi Christians continue to hope on Pope Francis' visit
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterWhile pundits in the West wonder whether Pope Francis really will brave out-of-control COVID-19 infections, shootings and bombings to visit Iraq, there’s not much doubt among Iraqis and others who know the Pope’s commitment to Christianity in the Middle East.
Sr. Ortiz: Torture victim to peacemaker
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News ServiceCLEVELAND -- Ursuline Sr. Dianna Ortiz was teaching Indigenous children as a missionary in Guatemala in 1989 when her ministry was torn apart in the midst of the country’s brutal civil war.
Toronto Catholic activist fears for her family caught in Myanmar military coup
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterAs a general strike swept across Myanmar — three weeks after a Feb. 1 military coup prevented a new, elected government from taking office — a Toronto-based Kachin Catholic activist found herself praying for the safety of her family at home in the Southeast Asian country.
Bishop ‘cleanses’ Colombian city
By Manuel Rueda, Catholic News ServiceBOGOTA, Colombia -- The bishop of a Colombian city suffering from a deadly spike in drug violence boarded a fire truck to spray the town’s main street with holy water and help to “cleanse it” of evil.
Severe weather prompts emergency response from church leaders as Lent begins
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News ServiceCLEVELAND -- Below-zero temperatures, teeth-chattering wind chills and deep snow turned the southern Plains into an Arctic landscape, forcing Catholic Charities agencies to adopt emergency measures to get people to safety.
Iraq tightens restrictions ahead of Pope’s visit
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Two days after the Iraqi government announced stringent COVID-19 precautions, including the closure of mosques and churches “until further notice,” the prime minister met with the Vatican nuncio to discuss preparations for the scheduled visit of Pope Francis.
Vaccine woes add to issues in Global South
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Pope Francis warned it could make inequalities existing around the world even worse.