News/International

Pope Francis is pictured during the opening session of the Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican in this Oct. 5, 2015.

Pope Francis says teachings of 'Amoris Laetitia' will mature, not rupture

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VATICAN – Everything in the document "Amoris Laetitia" on marriage and family life is based on Catholic Church teaching "always in continuity -- without ruptures -- yet always maturing," Pope Francis said.
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, speaks July 22 at the 2018 National Diaconate Congress in New Orleans.

Nuncio says U.S. bishops committed to addressing cover-up, abuse scandal

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VATICAN – The U.S. bishops are "deeply committed" to facing the reality of clerical sexual abuse and the history of covering it up, said the Vatican nuncio to the United States.
Pope Francis, in an open letter to Catholics regarding clerical sexual abuse, said the "heart-wrenching pain of these victims, which cries out to Heaven, was long ignored, kept quiet or silenced."

Pope Francis makes 'urgent' appeal to prevent clerical sex abuse

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VATICAN – "No effort must be spared" to prevent future cases of clerical sexual abuse and "to prevent the possibility of their being covered up," Pope Francis said in a letter addressed "to the people of God."

Rescue workers evacuate people from flooded areas Aug. 16 after the opening of a dam following heavy rains on the outskirts of Cochin, India. The Catholic Church has joined relief efforts as unprecedented floods and landslides continue to wreak havoc in India's Kerala state, killing at least 75 people within a week.

Indian church joins relief efforts as floods, landslides wreak havoc in Kerala

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COCHIN, India – The Catholic Church has joined relief efforts as unprecedented floods and landslides continue to wreak havoc in India's Kerala state, killing about 370 people within a week.
Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington prepares to exchange the sign of peace with Pope Francis as the Pope celebrates Mass in Washington Sept. 23, 2015.

Cardinal Wuerl drops out of World Meeting of Families appearances

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WASHINGTON – The Archbishop of Washington has cancelled his scheduled participation at the Church’s World Meeting of Families, which will be held this week in Dublin, Ireland.
'Homosexual subculture' is source of sex abuse 'devastation' in the Church, Bishop Morlino says

'Homosexual subculture' is source of sex abuse 'devastation' in the Church, Bishop Morlino says

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MADISON, Wis., – In response to recent sexual abuse crises, the Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin, has said that the Catholic Church must renew its conviction to identify and reject sin, and admit that a homosexual culture among some clerics has caused great harm in the Church.
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., listens to speakers Nov. 16 during the opening of the 2015 fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.

Indiana bishop to release names of priests accused of rape, abuse

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. – At an Aug. 17 news conference, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, said that in response to the release of the grand jury report on abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses over a 70- year period, he will collect and release a list of the names of priests in the diocese he currently heads who committed similar offenses.
Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of Erie, Pa., speaks during a meeting in late January at the headquarters of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. In an Aug. 16 interview on EWTN, he said the church needs "complete transparency" in addressing abuse "if we're going to get the trust of the people back."

Bishops who covered up sex abuse should resign, Pennsylvania prelate says

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WASHINGTON – In an Aug. 16 interview with Eternal Word Television Network, Erie Bishop Lawrence T. Persico said the only way to regain the trust of the laity after decades-long claims of sexual abuse by priests and others at six Pennsylvania dioceses is by deeds and one of those deeds may mean getting rid of bishops who hid abusers.
Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, is seen with Pope Francis aboard the flight from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Rome Dec. 2, 2017.

Vatican wants accountability for abusers, those who orchestrated sex abuse cover ups

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VATICAN – In the wake of a grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse in six dioceses in Pennsylvania, a Vatican spokesman called the abuses described in the report as being "criminal and morally reprehensible."
Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh addresses the media Aug. 14 at the pastoral center in Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania attorney general released a grand jury report that day on a months-long investigation into abuse claims spanning a 70-year period in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and five other Pennsylvania dioceses.

Pennsylvania bishop apologizes, explains diocese's 30-year record dealing with abuse

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PITTSBURGH – Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh expressed sorrow and apologized to young victims of clergy sexual abuse, while explaining his diocese's 30-year record of working to remove offenders, assist victims and prevent further abuse.
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, concelebrates the closing Mass at the 2017 convocation in Orlando, Fla. Cardinal DiNardo announced Aug. 16 three key goals and a comprehensive plan to address the "moral catastrophe" of the new abuse scandal. The plan "will involve the laity, lay experts, the clergy and the Vatican," he said.

Cardinal DiNardo lays out three steps on dealing with the 'moral catastrophe' of abuse scandal

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WASHINGTON – The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Aug. 16 announced three key goals and a comprehensive plan to address the "moral catastrophe" of the new abuse scandal hitting the U.S. church.
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