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News/International

A man in Jinhua, China, lies in a coffin March 27, 2019, during an event organized by the local government to promote "Tomb Sweeping Day." Christian funerals outside of churches have been banned in some areas of China as the communist government begins to enforce a new regulations on religious practices.

Chinese government places restrictions on Christian funerals

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HONG KONG -- Christian funerals outside of churches have been banned in some areas of China as the communist government begins to enforce new regulations on religious practices.

Auxiliary Bishop Karlheinz Diez of Fulda speaks Jan. 31, 2020, with synodal assembly participants in Frankfurt.

Germany's synodal assembly draws praise, criticism from participants

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FRANKFURT, Germany -- The first synodal assembly on the future the Catholic Church in Germany drew both praise and some criticism, with many of the 230 participants lauding what they called a special atmosphere in the debates on key reforms.

People from Buffalo, N.Y., participate in the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y., who is apostolic administrator of the Buffalo Diocese, said Jan. 30 that a decision will be made soon about whether the Buffalo Diocese will file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. Pope Francis named the Albany bishop to temporarily head the Buffalo Diocese Dec. 4 after accepting the resignation of Bishop Richard J. Malone as head of the diocese.

Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., considering bankruptcy filing

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WASHINGTON -- Citing consequences from the abuse scandal, a financial statement from the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, lists a $5 million loss for fiscal year 2019 and in an interview with the diocese's newspaper, the apostolic administrator says a decision will be made soon about whether to file for bankruptcy and reorganize under Chapter 11.

Khaled and Mariam pose during a Jan. 7 visit to the newly opened Catholic-run clinic in Beirut for a checkup for their two-month-old son, Mohammad. The family is homeless. The clinic serves the poor and needy in response to Lebanon’s severe economic crisis. Some 20 doctors have committed to serve on a rotating basis, giving their time for free.

Lebanese rely on Catholic health clinic amid economic crisis

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BEIRUT -- In a clinic adjoining a Catholic church, Samira Roncaglia cheerfully welcomed the young couple with their newborn, guiding them to the pediatrician.

In this 2018 file photo, Pope Francis walks with family members of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan, during a private audience at the Vatican."My heart broke when I had to leave without saying goodbye to my father or other members of the family," Bibi said in a new autobiography.

In autobiography, Asia Bibi speaks of iron collar, 'depths of darkness'

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Asia Bibi, the Catholic woman acquitted of blasphemy after spending eight years on death row in Pakistan, described herself as "a prisoner of fanaticism" in her newly published autobiography.

French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon arrives at the courthouse Jan. 7, 2019, in Lyon. Cardinal Barbarin has welcomed an appeal court judgment overturning his suspended jail sentence for failing to report abuse by one of his priests, but confirmed he will now ask Pope Francis to allow him to resign.

French cardinal to offer resignation, despite abuse acquittal

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LYON, France -- A French cardinal welcomed an appeal court judgment that overturned his suspended jail sentence for failing to report abuse, but confirmed he will ask Pope Francis to allow him to resign.

A New Orleans Saints player is seen holding his helmet during the second half of a game in 2019. In a Jan. 24, 2020, story, The Associated Press claimed the Saints' owner, a devout Catholic, has aided the New Orleans Archdiocese in trying to shield emails related to the sex abuse crisis. The archdiocese in a statement called the story false, saying its only advice on the matter was to "be direct, open and fully transparent."

New Orleans team responds to story it helped cover up abuse claims

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NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints said in a Jan. 24 statement that the football team has "no interest in concealing information from the press or public" in any matter related to clergy sex abuse.

Father Kene Onwukwe, assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Mosman, Australia, poses as he and other men prepare to cut down a tree damaged by a bushfire in Wonboyn Jan. 13, 2020. Father Onwukwe is a chaplain with the army reserve currently working full time alongside soldiers supporting exhausted firefighters in the bushfire relief efforts.

Swapping collars for camo: Priests help fight fires in Australia

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SYDNEY -- Three Sydney priests have swapped clericals for camouflage to join the 3,000 Australian Defence Force reservists providing support to firefighters and communities in the grip of the bushfire crisis.

A medical official takes the body temperature of a man Jan. 27, 2020, at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus. The virus has spread to almost every province in mainland China during Lunar New Year.

Churches outside China take preventative measures as coronavirus spreads

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HONG KONG -- The Chinese respiratory coronavirus has spread to almost every province in mainland China, which extended its Spring Festival holiday by three days to delay travel by up to 500 million people.

Retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed Jan. 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. The two Catholics are pictured during the WNBA all-star game in Las Vegas July 27, 2019.

Bryant relied on Catholic faith in difficult times

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CALABASAS, Calif. -- As the world mourned the loss of basketball great Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a tragic helicopter crash Jan. 26, many recalled how Bryant gave much credit to his Catholic faith for seeing him through the bad times and strengthening his marriage and family.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses thousands of pro-life supporters during the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. He is the first sitting president to address the pro-life event in person.

Trump delivers in-person address at March for Life in Washington

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WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump credited attendees at the 47th annual March for Life for their commitment to protect the life of unborn and born children.

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