News/International
New earthquake hits Turkey and Syria, killing 6; death toll from earlier quake rises to 47,000
By Dale Gavlak, OSV NewsA new earthquake struck the border area between Turkey and Syria the night of Feb. 20, sparking fear and anxiety for people already bereft and for those helping them since the Feb. 6 temblor. Six people were reported killed in the new quake.
LA Bishop found fatally shot in his home; death ruled a homicide
By Pablo Kay, OSV NewsLos Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O'Connell, a native of Ireland who spent most of his four decades as a priest ministering in LA's inner city, was shot and killed Feb. 18 in his Hacienda Heights home, a neighborhood east of LA.
Ohio Catholic pastor prays for his town struck by toxic train
By Gina Christian, OSV NewsAn Ohio Catholic priest told OSV News "it will be a long time" before he and his parishioners feel secure in their surroundings, following a train derailment that dumped toxic chemicals into the environment.
Pew: Only 1 in 3 Catholic parents say it's 'very important' children share parents' religious beliefs
By Katie Yoder, OSV NewsCatholic experts are expressing concern after a recent Pew Research Center survey found that only 35% of U.S. Catholic parents say that it is extremely or very important to them that their children grow up to hold similar religious beliefs.
Earthquake another blow for Christian communities in Syria, Turkey
By Michael Swan and Susan Korah, The Catholic RegisterFour Canadian Catholic organizations have joined forces to deliver aid and support to Turks and Syrians who have lost family, their homes and their livelihoods to the massive earthquake that rumbled near Turkey’s southern border with Syria.
4,800+ children abused in Portuguese Church: report
By Jonathan Luxmoore, OSV NewsA final report on abuse of children in Portugal’s Catholic Church has revealed more than 4,800 children had been victims of clergy sexual abuse in the country from 1950 to 2022.
Nicaraguan bishop receives 26-year prison sentence
By David Agren, OSV NewsBishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa was convicted and sentenced by a Nicaraguan court to 26 years in prison Feb. 10 — barely a day after the outspoken prelate defied President Daniel Ortega by refusing to go into exile.
Holy Land tourism begins to return to normalcy after pandemic, but Ukraine war presents other setbacks
By Tom Tracy, OSV NewsLast December's Christmas tree lightings in many towns and cities in Jerusalem finally pointed to a return toward normalcy for Holy Land pilgrim visits and tourism to Israel following the global pandemic and lockdowns beginning in 2020.
Brazilian church provides aid to the Yanomami, call for justice upon "genocide"
By Eduardo Campos Lima, OSV NewsThe severe health care and hunger crisis affecting the Yanomami indigenous people in Roraima state prompted the Brazilian church to coordinate help and to work side by side with government agencies and indigenous organizations to provide food and medical attention to the sick.
Over 2,800 dead as 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Turkey, Syria
By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV NewsA powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Syria in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, killing hundreds and leaving thousands more wounded.