News/International
Australian government revising religious discrimination legislation
By Michael Sainsbury, Catholic News ServiceSYDNEY -- The Australian government has decided to revisit its religious discrimination legislation after key religious groups -- including the Archdiocese of Sydney -- said they would withdraw their support.
Indonesia to deploy 160,000 security personnel to protect churches for Christmas
By Catholic News ServiceJAKARTA, Indonesia -- Nearly 160,000 security personnel will be deployed to try to make Christmas and New Year celebrations in Indonesia safe, reported ucanews.org.
Governments urged to shed fear of working with churches on persecution
By Anto Akkara, Catholic News ServiceBUDAPEST, Hungary -- Speakers at the second International Conference on Christian Persecution called upon governments to shed the "fear of working with the churches."
Early resignation of Bishop Malone accepted by Pope Francis
By Catholic News ServiceBUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone told Catholics Dec. 4 he asked Pope Francis to allow him to retire early so the people of the diocese "will be better served" by a new bishop who is "perhaps better able" to bring about "reconciliation, healing and renewal" in addressing the abuse crisis.
Beatification for Archbishop Sheen postponed
By Catholic News ServicePEORIA, Ill. -- Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria said Dec. 3 Vatican officials have told him that the upcoming beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has been postponed.
Catholic leaders urge Israel to investigate hate crimes in Arab villages
By Judith Sudilovsky, Catholic News ServiceJERUSALEM -- The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land condemned vandalism attacks in two Arab villages and called on Israeli authorities to "investigate seriously" what they termed hate crimes.
Mideast Catholic leaders call for peace, stability in region
By Doreen Abi Raad, Catholic News ServiceCAIRO -- Amid deadly protests in Iraq, a people's uprising in Lebanon and continued suffering in Syria, Catholic leaders of the Middle East called upon officials of their homelands to "ensure safety, peace and tranquility and stability for their citizens."
Alleged abuse victim files lawsuit against McCarrick
By Catholic News ServiceNEWARK, N.J. -- A day after a New Jersey victims' rights law went into effect, a 37-year-old man represented by Minnesota attorney Jeff Anderson has filed a lawsuit against Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal who was Newark's archbishop from 1986 to 2000.
British bishops urge voters to question candidates on life issues
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England -- British bishops have made the right to life a priority for Catholics ahead of a general election in which two major political parties have promised to liberalize abortion laws.
Former Pentecostal minister to be ordained priest
By Dino Orsatti, Catholic News ServiceSTEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- Deacon Drake McCalister, a former Pentecostal minister, has been given approval by the Vatican to be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Steubenville.
Bishop asks predecessor to repay $792,000 to diocese
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON -- Bishop Mark E. Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, has asked the former bishop of the diocese to pay back more than $792,000 to cover the "inappropriate expenditure of diocesan funds to support a luxurious lifestyle."