News/International

BEIRUT – Maronite Catholic bishops from around the world warned against plans to partition the Middle East and urged Christians to stand firm and to preserve co-existence with Muslims.

Renew efforts to build peace, help refugees, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – Assist and accompany refugees while working to build peace in the world, Pope Francis urged on the eve of World Refugee Day.

Martyrs are witnesses of faith, not just victims of genocide, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – Using the word "genocide" to describe the persecution of Christians in the Middle East risks downplaying the courage and witness of those who boldly profess faith in Jesus Christ even in the face of death, Pope Francis said.

Pope offers prayers as pan-Orthodox council opens on Crete

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VATICAN CITY – As the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church opened with only 10 of the 14 Orthodox churches represented, Pope Francis offered his prayers.

Muslim attitudes about LGBT are complex, and far from universally anti-gay

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As one of a tiny number of openly gay imams in the world, Daayiee Abdullah has felt the sting of rebuke from fellow Muslims. No good Muslim can be gay, they say. And traditional schools of Islamic law consider homosexuality a grave sin.

Orlando shooting victim described as compassionate young man

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ORLANDO, Fla. – As a youth minister, Michelle Murphy has established strong bonds with many of her youths, especially the ones she met during her first year working at All Souls parish in Sanford. She lovingly refers to them as her "cornerstone youths."

Francis builds on ecumenical progress with Armenians

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TORONTO – In a country that is more than 90-per-cent Orthodox, the biggest event  in Armenia this year will be a three-day visit by Pope Francis.

Parish reaches out to Nebraska family after deadly alligator attack

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OMAHA, Neb. – Members of St. Patrick parish in Elkhorn prayed June 16 for Lane Graves, a two-year-old boy killed in an alligator attack in Florida, his father and mother, Matthew and Melissa, and sister, four-year-old Ella, during a regularly scheduled morning Mass and special rosary.

Patriarch urges Orthodox leaders to attend Holy Council

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ROME – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople called on his brother patriarchs and primates of the Orthodox churches to honour their commitments and join him for the Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church.

Youngest Orlando shooting victim just graduated from Catholic high school

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PHILADELPHIA – Akyra Murray, who just recently graduated from West Catholic Preparatory High School, was the youngest victim of the Orlando nightclub shooting June 12.

Nuncio praises progress made on HIV/AIDS, warns against complacency

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Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations, applauded recent progress made around the world to end the AIDS epidemic and warned against complacency on efforts to end the disease.