Catholic News Service

Catholic News Service

MIAMI – A weakened Hurricane Irma churned in Florida after ripping through southern portions of the state and the Caribbean islands, flooding cities, knocking out power to millions, destroying homes and businesses and killing more than 20 people.

CARTAGENA, Colombia - Church leaders prayed for Mexicans and Guatemalans affected by the magnitude 8.2 earthquake that struck the Pacific Coast.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Hurricane Irma cut a deadly path through the Caribbean, leveling entire islands as it moved toward Florida Sept. 7, while Haiti prepared for a potential disaster.

VIENNA – Many people become more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation when safe, legal and affordable opportunities for immigration or asylum are lacking, a Vatican official told global leaders.

MANILA, Philippines - Clergy, academics, lawyers, journalists and artists launched a broad coalition against the "autocratic rule" of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

MACAU – Parishes in Macau Diocese held special Masses Aug. 28 for those killed and affected by a super typhoon that struck in late August.

BANGUI, Central African Republic - Catholic priests whose villages have been attacked have taken to Facebook to express outrage and appeal for help.

ROME – One of the two women who died when an earthquake struck the Italian island of Ischia was killed by falling debris from a 19th-century church. The other died in her home, which was destroyed by the quake Aug. 21.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of a terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain, that left at least 12 people dead and injured dozens of others.

WASHINGTON - The Franciscan Action Network called on all Americans, "especially ourselves and those who have benefited from white privilege," to look within themselves "and confront America's original sin -- the sin of racism."