News/International

Australian Cardinal George Pell is seen in this Oct. 6, 2014 file photo at the Vatican.

Cardinal tells Australian abuse hearing he won't defend indefensible

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SYDNEY - The Vatican's Prefect for the Secretariat of the Economy, Cardinal George Pell, told a special hearing of Australia's Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that he was not trying "to defend the indefensible."

Girl Scout Julia Ocasio, 13, and Boy Scout Thomas Perotta, 10, use collection baskets during a Scout Sunday Mass Feb. 7 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of the New York borough of Brooklyn.

St. Louis archbishop pushes for switch to Girl Scout alternatives

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ST. LOUIS - The Archdiocese of St. Louis has formed a new Catholic Committee for Girls Formation that is being charged with ministry to all girls in the archdiocese.

A refugee woman from Syria carries food while other displaced people sit near a border gate in Kilis, Turkey, Feb. 9. More than 30,000 people are stranded in northern Aleppo province after Turkish government forces closed border crossings.

Ministry in Aleppo is about keeping hope alive

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VATICAN CITY - Even in the midst of constant bombing, Jesuit and Salesian priests remain in war-torn Aleppo, Syria, trying to create a sense of normalcy for those unable to leave.

People gather to demonstrate in favor of the law on civil unions in Florence, Italy, Jan. 23. After months of public debate and protests, the Italian Senate passed a bill that grants legal recognition to nonmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Italian Senate passes civil unions bill

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ROME - After months of public debate and protests, the Italian Senate passed a controversial bill that grants legal recognition to non-married heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Retired cleric the Rev. Patrizio Benvenuti was put under house arrest in Italy earlier this month.

Businessman arrested in Ponzi scheme that police say priest abetted

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ROME - Police in Spain have arrested a fugitive businessman accused of swindling pensioners from the U.S. and elsewhere out of millions of euros with the backing of a Catholic priest who worked at the Vatican before retiring to the Canary Islands.

Bishop Douglas Crosby

Western Hemisphere bishops seek ways to boost 'encounter with Christ'

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TAMPA, Fla. - Fourteen bishops from Canada, the United States and Latin America explored ways to invite the faithful into what Pope Francis has called "an encounter with Jesus Christ" during three days of prayer and discussion.

A Mozambican refugee walks towards his mother in Mwanza, Malawi, Feb. 7. Malaria and cold nights add to the suffering of the increasing number of Mozambicans arriving at a makeshift camp in Malawi to escape violence at home, said a church worker in Malawi.

Disease, cold add to suffering of Mozambicans who fled to Malawi

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Malaria and cold nights add to the suffering of the increasing number of Mozambicans arriving at a makeshift camp in Malawi to escape violence at home, said a church worker in Malawi.

Activists dressed in orange jumpsuits representing detainees in the U.S.-run detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, rally in front of the White House Jan. 11 asking President Barack Obama to close the facility and release or charge the dozens of men being held there.

Plan to close Guantanamo leaves unanswered questions for advocates

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WASHINGTON - As U.S. President Barack Obama offered a long-awaited plan to close the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, organizations advocating for the closure welcomed the news and called for an end of the policy of holding remaining detainees without charges.

Flowers are placed at a makeshift memorial Feb. 22 near the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Kalamazoo, Mich., where one person died in a random shooting. Five other people also were killed and two others were wounded during the Feb. 20 shootings.

Bishop Bradley decries shootings in Kalamazoo, Michigan, prays for victims

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Expressing shock and sadness, Bishop Paul J. Bradley of Kalamazoo offered prayers for the six people who were killed and two others who were injured by a gunman in the western Michigan city.

Sister Porferia Ocariza, a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, holds a book on the People Power uprising in the Philippines 30 years ago to oust dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She is still recognized today for her stunned expression, left image, as military tanks approached.

Philippine nuns, priests say role in revolution affected their faith

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MANILA, Philippines - Religious and clergy in the Philippines say their experiences in the People Power Revolution 30 years ago have had a lasting impact on their faith and vocations.

Australian Cardinal George Pell is seen in this Oct. 6, 2014 file photo at the Vatican. The Australian cardinal called for an inquiry into the leaking of accusations that he is under police investigation for the alleged abuse of minors.

Cardinal Pell calls for inquiry into press leaks accusing him of abuse

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VATICAN CITY - Australian Cardinal George Pell called for an inquiry into the leaking of accusations that he is under police investigation for the alleged abuse of minors.

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