NEWS

VATICAN CITY - At the request of a man allegedly abused by a priest in 1965, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed his case claiming the Vatican was the priest's employer and could be liable for damages.

OTTAWA - Bishop Charles Valois, Bishop emeritus of Saint-Jérôme, died on Aug. 4 at the age of 89.

VATICAN CITY - After more than a week with no word from Jesuit Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, an Italian priest who worked for decades in Syria, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said, "it seems he has been kidnapped by an Islamist group" that is a "local version of al-Qaida," the terrorist group.

I spent two weeks in June in the Republic of Congo representing the Canadian Religious Conference as part of a five-person delegation called The Women of Courage. The delegation’s name was deeply inspiring and humbling.

While many Canadians will start a relaxing long weekend on Aug. 30, Marilyn Korzekwa will dive into the waters of the Pacific Ocean to begin her swim across California’s Catalina Channel in support of the Good Shepherd Centre in Hamilton, Ont.

VATICAN CITY - In an effort to shake its image as a secretive, scandal-ridden institute and improve its relationship with the media, the Vatican bank has launched its own website.

VATICAN CITY - The war in Syria is like a factory churning out nothing but death, destruction and suffering, said Archbishop Mario Zenari, Vatican nuncio to Syria.

DUBLIN - Irish pro-life campaigners vowed to work to repeal a new law that permits abortion in limited circumstances.

VATICAN CITY - At least 38 pilgrims were killed on their way home from the Padre Pio shrine when their bus plunged off an elevated highway.

OTTAWA - Veteran pro-life MP Maurice Vellacott has announced he will not seek a seventh term in the House of Commons in the next federal election.