News/International

Pope Francis sent well-wishes to Queen Elizabeth II as the reigning British monarch began the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of her coronation as well as the public celebration of her birthday.

German Catholics discuss church reforms, war at 102nd Katholikentag

By

Peace, justice, climate justice, the war in the Ukraine and its global impact and the ongoing crisis in the German Catholic Church were some of the themes Catholic laity, bishops and politicians and activists discussed during the five-day 102nd German Katholikentag.

Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz installs new pro-life sculpture in Rome

By

If "beauty will save the world," as Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky said, then "perhaps beauty can also save the unborn," said Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz.

New Oklahoma law bans nearly all abortions from fertilization stage

By

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law one of the nation's most restrictive abortion bills May 25, saying he has kept his promise to voters to "sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk."

Cordileone 'courageous' for Pelosi statement according to some bishops

By

A number of U.S. Catholic bishops praised San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone for his "courageous" action in declaring May 20 that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is not "to be admitted" to Communion because of her stand on legalized abortion.

Cardinal Zen charged with improperly registering fund, pleads not guilty

By

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and several others pleaded not guilty in a Hong Kong court to charges of failing to properly register a now-defunct fund to help anti-government protesters.

Chinese bishop's whereabouts remain unknown a year after his arrest

By

A Vatican-approved Chinese bishop remains in detention more than one year after his arrest for allegedly violating the communist country's repressive regulations on religious affairs.

Military burns houses, destroying villages in northwest Myanmar

By

At least 320 of the estimated 350 households in the historic Catholic village of Chaung Yoe were burned during a military raid May 20, local sources told ucanews.com.

Vatican foreign minister visits Ukraine in sign of solidarity, support

By

Seeing scenes of a war on television is one thing, "touching this reality is another," Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, said in Ukraine.

New South Wales becomes last Australian state to pass assisted dying law

By

The Parliament of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, has passed a law allowing people to choose assisted dying under certain circumstances. It was the last of the country's six states to enact such legislation.

Vatican's foreign minister travels to Ukraine

By

Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister, was set to visit Ukraine May 18-20, meeting with church and government officials, people displaced by the war and towns destroyed by Russian bombings.