News/International

Bishop Berhaneyesus Souraphiel of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is one of the leading voices among Africa’s Catholic bishops.

African bishop expects Synod to introduce new flexibility to Church

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ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA - One of the leading voices among Africa’s bishops predicts a new flexibility in Catholic teaching at this October’s Synod on the Family, allowing bishops and bishops’ conferences in different parts of the world to adapt Church teaching on the family to the culture, economic situation and political landscape in their part of the world.

Bishop-designate Paolo Bizzeti poses for an undated photo. The Vatican announced Aug. 14 that the Italian Jesuit will be bishop of Anatolia, Turkey, where the previous bishop was killed in 2010.

Pope names Italian Jesuit to succeed bishop killed in Turkey in 2010

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VATICAN CITY - More than five years after the murder of Bishop Luigi Padovese, Pope Francis has named an Italian Jesuit to succeed him as apostolic vicar of Anatolia, Turkey.

Hong Kong’s clergy called on the Zhejiang provincial government to halt a cross-removal campaign from Christian churches. Chinese authorities discounted rumours on social media reporting that over 1,200 crosses were removed. The Zhejiang province is located southwest of Shanghai.

Hong Kong cardinal urges Chinese Communist chiefs to end cross removals

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HONG KONG - Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong has issued an "urgent appeal" to Communist Party chiefs in Beijing, calling on them to order a halt to an ongoing cross-removal campaign from Christian churches in Zhejiang province.

A boy stands with cross outside Sacre Coeur basilica in Paris April 3. Catholic churches in France have been placed under police protection and urged to take extra security measures against possible Islamist attacks before the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption.

French churches get increased security before feast of Assumption

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PARIS - Catholic churches in France have been placed under police protection and urged to take extra security measures against possible Islamist attacks before the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption.

Community leaders, politicians and administration officers pour contents of an illicit brew during a crackdown in July 2015.

Kenyan clergy joins battle against deadly homemade brews

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NAIROBI, Kenya - Clerics in Kenya are backing a presidential decree banning homemade brews, largely blamed for a recent spate of deaths in the East African nation.

A mother kisses her 3-month-old son during Mass in Huntingtown, Md., May 3. An Italian priest is offering more than $2,000 to Catholic couples who have three or more children under certain conditions.

Italian Catholic priest offers 'baby bonus' -- with strings attached

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ROME - A Tuscany priest is offering a baby bonus of more than $2,000 to Italian Catholic families who have three or more children. But there are strings attached.

A boy eats a free meal during a July 20 feeding program at a slum area in Manila, Philippines. The head of the Philippine bishops' conference said helping the poor and getting rid of political dynasties should be front and center in the months leading up to the country's May elections.

Poor, political dynasties should be issues in Philippine election, says archbishop

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MANILA, Philippines - The head of the Philippine bishops' conference said helping the poor and getting rid of political dynasties should be front and centre in the months leading up to the country's May elections.

Afghan children are seen in late May at a temporary shelter in an internally displaced persons camp on the outskirts of Balkh province, Afghanistan. To promote a reflection on the need for a "conversion of mind and heart" open to the needs of others, Pope Francis has chosen "Overcome indifference and win peace" as the theme for the church's celebration of the World Day of Peace 2016.

Papal message for World Peace Day to focus on overcoming indifference

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VATICAN CITY - Selfishness and fear keep too many people ignorant of the suffering of others and prevent them from finding creative ways to express solidarity and to promote peace, said a statement from the Vatican's justice and peace office.

A burned-out section of the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, Israel, is seen after an arson fire in late June. The Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land filed an official complaint to Israeli police against the leader of a radical Israeli movement over his remarks supporting and encouraging the burning of churches.

Jewish extremist poses threat to Holy Land Christians, church body says

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JERUSALEM - The church body authorized by the Vatican to oversee the Catholic Church’s property in Israel has asked Israel’s attorney general to indict a Jewish extremist who, it says, recently incited violence against Israel’s Christian churches.

Children paddle in water in Navotas City, Philippines, May 10.

Pope declares Sept. 1 ‘World Day of Prayer’ for environment

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VATICAN - The Vatican announced a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, the latest move by Pope Francis to push environmental issues up the global agenda Aug. 10.

A Los Angeles protester with arms raised participates in a Nov. 25 march following the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.

Forgiveness at heart of healing after Ferguson violence, says archbishop

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ST. LOUIS - Forgiveness. Such a simple word, a mere 11 letters but it's at the heart of the Catholic faith, along with love, peace and justice, said the archbishop of St. Louis.

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