News/International

Pope Francis greets Canada's synod observer, Julian Paparella, during the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 28.

The Church will not abandon young people, despite clerics' failings, synod fathers say

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VATICAN – Writing to the world's young people, members of the Synod of Bishops said they wanted to encourage them and help them fulfill their dreams, and they prayed that their own failings would not drive the young from the church.
People mourn the loss of life as they hold a vigil for the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh Oct. 27. Pope Francis at his Sunday Angelus prayed for those affected by the attack inside the Pittsburgh synagogue.

Deadly attack on synagogue an inhumane act of violence, Pope says

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VATICAN – Pope Francis prayed for those affected by a deadly attack inside a Pittsburgh synagogue, calling it an act of inhumane violence.
The Tree of Life Synagogue, the site of a deadly shooting, is pictured in Pittsburgh Oct. 27. Pope Francis at his Sunday Angelus prayed for those affected by a shooting attack inside the Pittsburgh synagogue.

Cardinal DiNardo condemns shooting at Pittsburgh synagogue, all 'acts of hate'

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WASHINGTON  – The U.S. Catholic bishops stand with "our brothers and sisters of the Jewish community," the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said Oct. 27 after a horrific shooting earlier that day in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Synagogue, described as a hub of Jewish life in that city.
Pope Francis attends a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct. 18.

Synod document focuses on listening to youth, women, welcoming their contributions to Church

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VATICAN – The Catholic Church and all its members must get better at listening to young people, taking their questions seriously, recognizing them as full members of the church, patiently walking with them and offering guidance as they discern the best way to live their faith, the Synod of Bishops said.
A woman prays Oct. 1 outside St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beijing.

Chinese authorities destroy two Marian shrines despite Vatican-China deal

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BEIJING, China – As part of an ongoing crackdown on religious practice in the country, Chinese authorities demolished two Catholic Marian shrines this week. The move comes just one month after the Chinese government signed an agreement with the Vatican regarding the appointment of bishops.
Children cry next to their mother after a caravan of Honduran migrants trying to reach the U.S. stormed a border checkpoint Oct. 19 in Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico.

God will reward those helping migrant caravan, Mexico bishop says

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TAPACHULA, Mexico – Bishop Jaime Calderón Calderón of Tapachula, Mexico praised the generosity of lay people and priests aiding migrants in his diocese.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, signs a joint statement Oct. 26 at the Vatican's Sala Marconi calling on the international community to take immediate action against climate change. Also pictured in the signing are Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Lubango, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, left, Cardinal Jose Luis Lacunza Maestrojuan of David, Panama, president of Latin American bishops' council's economic committee, Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich, president of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union, right.

Bishops sign document calling for action against climate change

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VATICAN – Six bishops representing episcopal conferences on five continents issued a joint statement calling on the international community to take immediate action against climate change.
Bishops attend a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct. 23.

'Synodality' a chance for bishops, faithful to be involved in Church governance

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VATICAN – Synodality is about more than just bishops participating in the governance of the church; it encourages the involvement of all the faithful in a spirit of collaboration, said Archbishop Hector Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte of Trujillo, Peru.
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired bishop of Hong Kong, speaks to members of the media during a news conference in Hong Kong Sept. 26 concerning Pope Francis' landmark agreement with China over bishop nominations.

Vatican-China deal will lead to 'annihilation' of Church in China, Cardinal Zen says in NYT op-ed

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HONG KONG – The recent agreement between the Vatican and China is a step towards the “annihilation” of the Catholic Church in China, Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Kong, wrote in a New York Times op-ed published on Wednesday.
Pope Francis greets Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia before a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct. 16.

Synod missed chance to apologize for sex abuse, Archbishop Chaput says

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VATICAN – The more than 250 Catholic bishops from around the world meeting at the Vatican in October missed an opportunity to confront the global sex abuse crisis, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Anchorage, Alaska, is pictured at the Pontifical North American College in Rome during a reception after a Vatican Mass marking the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29, 2019.

New abuse commission to review personnel files of Anchorage clergy, sisters

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Anchorage has appointed an independent commission to review all personnel files of clerics and religious men and women who have served in the Archdiocese of Anchorage since its canonical establishment in 1966.
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