News/International

A family member of victims cries while praying during the reopening ceremony of St. Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 12, 2019, months after it was closed because of an Easter bombing.

Catholic aid group raises millions for persecuted Christians

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VATICAN CITY -- Aid to the Church in Need raised over 111 million euros ($125 million) in 2018 to help support persecuted Christians, particularly in the Middle East where tens of thousands of Christians have been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing war and conflicts over the last decade.

A cross-shaped World War I memorial, a landmark in Bladensburg, Md., is pictured Feb. 26, 2019. In a 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 20 in favor of preserving a historic cross-shaped memorial, saying the cross did not endorse religion.

Historic cross on public property can stay, Supreme Court rules

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WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of preserving a historic cross-shaped memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland saying the cross did not endorse religion.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, looks on at the conclusion of the second day of the spring general assembly of the USCCB in Baltimore June 12, 2019. Looking on is Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield, general secretary.

Abuse hotline gets go ahead by scandalized U.S. bishops

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BALTIMORE -- Creation of a third-party system for receiving confidential reports of complaints against bishops was approved at the spring general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam June 18, 2019, reissued an apology to the Chinese territory's people for the conflict over an extradition law amendment that has provoked mass demonstrations. Cardinal John Tong Hon, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Hong Kong, called on Lam to withdraw the bill.

Cardinal joins fight against divisive bill

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HONG KONG -- Cardinal John Tong Hon has joined with activists and religious leaders calling for the withdrawal of Hong Kong’s controversial extradition bill.

A vial of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella and an information sheet is seen at Boston Children's Hospital Feb. 26, 2015.

Vaccines preserve 'moral health' of communities, say church experts

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Measles, chicken pox and other diseases are making a comeback as more parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children out of the fear of side effects, especially with regard to the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine. Skeptics are concerned it leads to sickness autism or death.

Women walk along a street Feb. 20, 2016, in Asmara, Eritrea.

Eritrean bishops: government seized church-run health centers

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NAIROBI, Kenya -- All health facilities run by the Catholic Church in Eritrea have been seized by the government, the country's bishops said.

Members of the National Guard keep watch at a checkpoint in Mexico's Chiapas state June 16, 2019. A catechist instructor was shot dead June 15 at Immaculate Conception chapel in Acacoyagua, about 75 miles from the border with Guatemala.

Catechist instructor shot dead in southern Mexico

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MEXICO CITY -- A catechist instructor was shot dead at a chapel in Chiapas state -- another example of how the violence consuming Mexico is impacting the Catholic Church.

Attendees listen to Laraine Bennett, communications manager for the National Council of Catholic Women, during a June 13, 2019, GIVEN session at The Catholic University of America in Washington. The annual GIVEN Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum, held June 12-16 this year, is designed to help young adult Catholic women with a heart for mission and an aptitude for leadership identify their particular gifts and find practical pathways to put them in the service of the Gospel.

Young women urged to reject ego, focus on life of integrity, honesty

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WASHINGTON -- Spiritual advice was mixed with practical suggestions at the GIVEN Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum held at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

Protesters attend a demonstration June 16, 2019, demanding Hong Kong's leader step down and withdraw extradition legislation. Although chief executive Carrie Lam announced June 15 that she had suspended the bill, Hong Kong residents were not satisfied; an estimated 2 million people turned out for the march.

Bishop to remain with Hong Kong protesters 'no matter how long they stay'

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HONG KONG -- As massive protests continued in Hong Kong, the auxiliary bishop pledged to remain with those opposing a controversial extradition bill and the resignation of the Chinese territory's leader.

Southern Baptist pastors gather June 9, 2019, in Birmingham, Ala., during a conference ahead of the denomination's June 11-12 annual meeting, which drew more than 8,000 delegates. The Southern Baptist Convention has been rocked by recent media reports that revealed pastors, church employees and volunteers sexually abused more than 700 people, mostly children, over the last two decades.

Southern Baptists wrestling with sex abuse crisis of their own

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As the U.S. Catholic bishops met in Baltimore to discuss new mechanisms to hold themselves accountable on sex abuse, the Southern Baptist Convention was wrestling with the same vexing issue at its annual meeting June 11-12 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Priests carry the casket of Father Cecilio Perez Cruz during his funeral procession in Sonzacate, El Salvador, May 20, 2019. Parishioners found Father Perez dead in his residence in Juayua early May 18 with a note nearby that said he had not paid "rent," a euphemism for extortion money.

Salvadoran authorities arrest sacristan as suspect in priest killing

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WASHINGTON -- A 34-year-old sacristan is in the custody of Salvadoran authorities in connection with the May killing of a Salvadoran priest.

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