News/International

The Supreme Court Monday (May 5) declared that the Constitution not only allows for prayer at government meetings, but sectarian prayer.

Vatican could face flood of torture-related abuse lawsuits

By

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican could face a wave of new sexual abuse claims dating back decades if a United Nations inquiry finds that the Roman Catholic Church has violated an international treaty against torture and inhuman treatment.

Could married priests be next on Francis’ reform agenda?

By

Pope Francis likes to say that he prefers to raise questions rather than issue edicts or change doctrine, and he has certainly generated plenty of debate with his off-the-cuff remarks about gays and his cold-call chats on topics like divorce and Communion, as happened recently with a woman in Argentina.

Irish safeguarding board plans to follow Pope and 'kick up a fuss'

By

DUBLIN - The independent watchdog that monitors child safeguarding procedures in the Irish Church pledged to follow the example of Pope Francis and "disturb the peace."

Victims demand action as Vatican abuse panel gets down to work

By

VATICAN CITY - As Pope Francis prepares to address the new Vatican panel charged with tackling the clergy sexual abuse scandal, victims are demanding the Catholic Church take immediate action to expose perpetrators and punish the bishops who protected them.

Iraqis in Jordan go to the polls, hoping for stability at home

By

AMMAN, Jordan - A steady stream of Iraqi refugees, smiling and displaying purple index fingers, emerged from a polling station in the Hashemi Shamali district, where the majority of these urban refugees live in the Jordanian capital.

Nigerian Christians begin three-day fast after schoolgirls kidnapped

By

Christians began a three-day prayer and fasting period after Islamist Boko Haram militants kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria and desperate parents joined the search in a remote forest.

Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine

By

Jews in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk where pro-Russian militants have taken over government buildings were told they have to “register” with the Ukrainians who are trying to make the city become part of Russia, according to Israeli media.

Nigerian Church condemns bombing that claimed at least 71 lives

By

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Catholic Church in Nigeria condemned the morning rush hour bombing of a bus station near the capital of Abuja that killed at least 71 people and injured dozens more April 14.

Pope offers support as Catholic agencies assist Chilean fire victims

By

With fire still raging in parts of the historic city of Valparaiso, Chile, Caritas Chile and the Diocese of Valparaiso opened a bank account to help more than 10,000 people forced from their homes.

Syrian Christian refugees fleeing to Jordan on the rise, Caritas says

By

VATICAN CITY - The influx of Syrian Christian refugees into Jordan is on the rise, said the head of Caritas Jordan.