News/International

Pope Francis is pictured with U.S. bishops from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican Feb. 10, 2020. The bishops were making their "ad limina" visits to report on the status of their dioceses.

U.S. bishops ask Pope Francis about Amazon synod

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VATICAN CITY -- Talking about debates, differences and discernment, Pope Francis told a group of U.S. bishops that people focused on the possibility of ordaining some married men and women deacons for service in the Amazon will be disappointed in his apostolic exhortation.

Cuban President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez speaks during the General Assembly's 73rd session at the U.N. headquarters in New York City Sept. 26, 2018. New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is set to meet with Diaz-Canel during a Feb. 7-12, 2020, trip to the island nation, which includes a visit with the cardinal of Havana and other Cuban prelates.

Cardinal Dolan to meet with Cuban president, church leaders during visit

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WASHINGTON -- New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is set to meet with the president of the Republic of Cuba during a Feb. 7-12 trip to the island nation, which includes a visit with the cardinal of Havana and other Cuban prelates.

Fr. John Mack.

Priest waits and prays for liver donor

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WASHINGTON -- Fr. John Mack, a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., needs a liver transplant — from a living donor.

Couples receive Communion during a mass wedding in 2015 at St. Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri Church in Makati City, Philippines. A Philippine Catholic official expressed surprise over the speedy acceptance of legislation that would legalize divorce in the Philippines.

Lawmakers in Philippines move to legalize divorce

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MANILA, Philippines -- A Philippine church official has expressed surprise over the speedy acceptance of a bill in the country's parliament that would legalize divorce.

Migrants from Central America trying to reach the United States react as police approach them near Frontera Hidalgo, Mexico, Jan. 21, 2020. At least 138 Salvadorans have been murdered after being deported back to country from the United States, according to a report released Feb. 5 from Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch says deportees killed after return to El Salvador

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MORELIA, Mexico -- At least 138 Salvadorans have been murdered after being sent back to their violent Central American country from the United States, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

Christ the King Seminary in the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., is seen in an undated photo. Albany Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo, said Feb. 4, 2020, that the seminary's board of trustees decided the seminary would "cease operations" after determining that a decade of losses averaging $500,000 per year could no longer be sustained.

Buffalo Diocese to close seminary

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Citing annual operating losses and declining enrollment, the Diocese of Buffalo announced it will close its seminary at the end of the academic year.

Police walk near along a London street Feb. 3, 2020, following the terror attack in the city believed to be orchestrated by Sudesh Amman, 20, who was shot dead by armed police following what police declared a terrorist-related incident.

Terrorist attack in London condemned by local bishop

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LONDON -- An archbishop has called a terrorist attack in London in which three people were stabbed "saddening and shocking."

A man in Jinhua, China, lies in a coffin March 27, 2019, during an event organized by the local government to promote "Tomb Sweeping Day." Christian funerals outside of churches have been banned in some areas of China as the communist government begins to enforce a new regulations on religious practices.

Chinese government places restrictions on Christian funerals

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HONG KONG -- Christian funerals outside of churches have been banned in some areas of China as the communist government begins to enforce new regulations on religious practices.

Auxiliary Bishop Karlheinz Diez of Fulda speaks Jan. 31, 2020, with synodal assembly participants in Frankfurt.

Germany's synodal assembly draws praise, criticism from participants

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FRANKFURT, Germany -- The first synodal assembly on the future the Catholic Church in Germany drew both praise and some criticism, with many of the 230 participants lauding what they called a special atmosphere in the debates on key reforms.

People from Buffalo, N.Y., participate in the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y., who is apostolic administrator of the Buffalo Diocese, said Jan. 30 that a decision will be made soon about whether the Buffalo Diocese will file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. Pope Francis named the Albany bishop to temporarily head the Buffalo Diocese Dec. 4 after accepting the resignation of Bishop Richard J. Malone as head of the diocese.

Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., considering bankruptcy filing

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WASHINGTON -- Citing consequences from the abuse scandal, a financial statement from the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, lists a $5 million loss for fiscal year 2019 and in an interview with the diocese's newspaper, the apostolic administrator says a decision will be made soon about whether to file for bankruptcy and reorganize under Chapter 11.

Khaled and Mariam pose during a Jan. 7 visit to the newly opened Catholic-run clinic in Beirut for a checkup for their two-month-old son, Mohammad. The family is homeless. The clinic serves the poor and needy in response to Lebanon’s severe economic crisis. Some 20 doctors have committed to serve on a rotating basis, giving their time for free.

Lebanese rely on Catholic health clinic amid economic crisis

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BEIRUT -- In a clinic adjoining a Catholic church, Samira Roncaglia cheerfully welcomed the young couple with their newborn, guiding them to the pediatrician.

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