News/International
Some Turks feel influx of Syrians hampers efforts to aid other refugees
By James Martone, Catholic News ServiceISTANBUL - Hafiz Karim fled with his family to Turkey after extremists in Iraq threatened to kill them all if they didn't sell their Baghdad restaurant and move out of the neighborhood.
Vatican laments European Court denial of conscientious objection right
By Catholic News ServiceUpdated 01/16/13
VATICAN CITY - While applauding the European Court of Human Rights' recognition of the right of a British airline employee to wear a cross on her uniform, the Vatican lamented the court's denial of the full right of conscientious objection in other cases claiming religious discrimination in the United Kingdom.
Shifts in balance of power create uneasy relations in Latin America
By Barbara J. Fraser, Catholic News ServiceLIMA, Peru - When Venezuela's bishops spoke out against postponing the inauguration of ailing President Hugo Chavez, the president's supporters accused them of meddling in politics, while government opponents praised their comments.
Syrian refugees face new enemy: winter
By Dale Gavlak, Catholic News ServiceAMMAN, Jordan - Snow, driving rain and howling winds in early January compounded the already desperate situation for Syrians caught up in 22 months of civil war seeking to oust President Bashar Assad.
C.S. Lewis inspires a new generation
By Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News ServiceOXFORD, ENGLAND - In a wooded suburb of this fabled university city, a battered typewriter sits on a desk beside a bay window that overlooks a tangled landscape of oaks and beeches. Nearby, ancient bookshelves guard a leather armchair surrounded by wall maps and pictures depicting a fantasy world.
Visiting bishops note strain recent events placed on Mideast countries
By Judith Sudilovsky, Catholic News ServiceJERUSALEM - Bishops who traveled to the Holy Land to assess the local church's needs noted the "profound anxiety" that the "dark and dramatic events" of the past year have caused in the region.
German Church ends sex-abuse research inquiry, citing lack of trust
By Catholic News ServiceBERLIN - Germany's Catholic Church has withdrawn from an inquiry into sexual abuse by clergy, citing a breakdown of trust with researchers.
U.S. Supreme Court lets stand policy on embryonic stem-cell research funds
By Patricia Zapor, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 7 let stand a lower court order allowing government funding of research involving certain embryonic stem-cell lines.
Mexico has changed, but maybe not for better, says bishop
By David Agren, Catholic News ServiceSALTILLO, Mexico - Although church-state relations have thawed in the past 25 years, Saltillo Bishop Raul Vera Lopez said he remains dissatisfied with government restrictions on religion.
Nigerian religious leaders can help followers end nation's crises
By Catholic News ServiceABUJA, Nigeria - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged religious leaders to mold the characters of their followers to help stop the current crises facing the country.
Notre Dame football's rise paralleled Irish-Americans' societal ascent
By Mark Pattison, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON - As Notre Dame prepared to play Alabama Jan. 7 in U.S. college football's Bowl Championship Series title game, it seemed like the clash of the titans.