News/International

Pope Francis greets a youth delegate before a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct. 4.

Some married men would answer a call to priesthood, Belgian bishop says

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VATICAN – Speaking to the Synod of Bishops on behalf of Belgium's bishops' conference, a bishop said he was sure some young married men would become priests if they were asked.
Daniel and Amy McArthur, owners of Ashers bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland, leave the Supreme Court in London Oct. 10. The court upheld their right to refuse to make a cake emblazoned with a slogan in support of same-sex marriage.

U.K. court upholds bakers' right to refuse making same-sex themed cake

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MANCHESTER, England – The United Kingdom's Supreme Court has upheld the right of a bakery to refuse to make a cake emblazoned with a slogan in support of same-sex marriage.
A portion of a destroyed Catholic school is seen Oct. 10 after an Oct. 6 earthquake in Gros Morne, Haiti.

Catholic, grassroots groups work with survivors after Haiti earthquake

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – As Haitian authorities confirmed the toll from the Oct. 6 earthquake at 17 dead and 333 injured, Caritas and other grass-roots organizations working with the victims highlighted the critical humanitarian situation facing survivors, who now lack shelter.
Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg attends a news conference to discuss the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct. 10.

Synod of Bishops can make 'deep and profound change', Luxembourg archbishop says

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VATICAN – At a Synod of Bishops where "cultural shift," "epochal change" and "massive challenge" are almost buzz phrases, Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg said, "I'm very optimistic."
Chinese Bishops Joseph Guo Jincai of Chengde and Coadjutor Bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaoting of Yan'an depart the opening session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct 3.

Who are the excommunicated Chinese bishops received back into ecclesial communion?

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BANGKOK – Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai, one of two Chinese participants attending the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, concelebrated Mass with St. John Paul II twice in 1995. Although he was a member of the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association – not recognized by the Vatican – it was only after his illicit ordination as a bishop of the Chinese-designated Diocese of Chengde that he was automatically excommunicated.
Cardinals wait for Pope Francis' arrival at a gathering with young people and members of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 6.

Vatican releases list of twelve synod members drafting final report

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VATICAN – Twelve synod members have been named to a commission to draft the final report summarizing the discussion at the Synod of Bishops on young people. The report will be given Pope Francis.
Pope Francis embraces Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec after celebrating morning Mass in the chapel of his residence at the Vatican Jan. 30, 2017.

Young people, clerics, need better formation on sexuality, Cardinal Lacroix says

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VATICAN – Young Catholics, particularly clerics, need better formation on sexuality, affectivity, and the body, Canada's Cardinal Gérald Lacroix told reporters Tuesday, speaking about the 2018 Synod of Bishops.
Bishops pray at the start of a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct. 9.

First formal synod reports focus on sex abuse, sexuality, friendship, mission

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VATICAN – In their first formal reports to the entire Synod of Bishops, many of the gathering's working groups reported that they had discussed the clerical sexual abuse crisis and, especially, its impact on young Catholics.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends an event in Pyongyang Sept. 3, 2017, to celebrate the latest nuclear test.

Kim Jong Un invites Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, South Korean spokesman says

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SEOUl, South Korea – North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, a South Korean spokesman said Tuesday.
A woman holds a malnourished child Oct. 6 at a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen. Aid agencies and Catholic officials are sounding the alarm on Yemen's spiraling humanitarian crisis, calling on the combatants to end the war and make badly need assistance available.

Aid groups, bishop sound alarm over humanitarian crisis affecting 21 million in Yemen

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AMMAN, Jordan – Aid agencies and Catholic officials are sounding the alarm on Yemen's spiraling humanitarian crisis, calling on the combatants to end the war and make badly need assistance available.
Pope Francis speaks during a gathering with young people and members of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 6.

Sex abuse crisis, role of women recurring discussions at synod, members say

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VATICAN – Despite many positive and joyful moments during the Synod of Bishops on young people, bishops also have set aside the agenda to discuss the serious scandals and unfolding allegations affecting the church, two synod fathers said.
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