News/International
WESTPHALIA, Texas -- The Church of the Visitation in Westphalia, a nearly 125-year-old wooden church with bell towers on each side, burned to the ground July 29.
Abortion rate falling in South Carolina
By Christina Lee Knauss, Catholic News ServiceCOLUMBIA, S.C. -- The number of abortions occurring annually in South Carolina continues to fall, a trend welcomed by advocates who credit pro-life legislation and increased public awareness for the decline.
Polish bishop condemns 'worsening attacks' on clergy, churches
By Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News ServiceWARSAW, Poland -- The president of the Polish bishops' conference condemned attacks on clergy and places of worship in the traditionally Catholic country as the church countered media accusations of inciting violence against LGBTQ groups.
Jesuits publish inquiry results, confirm abuses by famed priest
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- While deceased Jesuit Father Renato Poblete Barth was known publicly as a champion of the poor in Chile, an internal investigation funded by the Jesuits revealed that the famed clergyman abused more than a dozen women over a span of nearly 50 years.
N.J. assisted suicide law an 'utter failure' of government
By Catholic News ServiceMETUCHEN, N.J. -- New Jersey's new law allowing assisted suicide, effective Aug. 1, "points to an "utter failure" on the part of government and indeed all society, said Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen.
Judge dismisses Covington Catholic student's suit against newspaper
By Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON -- A federal judge July 26 dismissed a $250 million lawsuit against The Washington Post by a Kentucky Catholic high school student, ruling the newspaper's articles and tweets about the student's actions after the annual March for Life in January were protected by the First Amendment.
Philippine bishop appeals for help for hundreds of earthquake victims
By Catholic News ServiceMANILA, Philippines -- A Catholic bishop in the northernmost island of the Philippines has appealed for prayers and help for victims of twin earthquakes that rocked Batanes province July 27.
Release of abuse allegations 'painful,' but 'right thing to do'
By Julie Asher, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON -- As the Archdiocese of St. Louis released a list of names of archdiocesan clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor July 26, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson acknowledged that seeing the names "will be painful" and publishing them "will not change the past."
Texas faith leaders say chaplains shouldn't be banned from executions
By Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON -- More than 180 faith leaders in Texas, including 18 Catholics, signed a statement sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice July 23 asking the agency to change its policy banning prison chaplains from execution chambers.
Catholic leaders object to reinstatement of federal death penalty
By Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON -- The July 25 announcement by the Justice Department that it is reinstating the federal death penalty for the first time in 16 years was unwelcome news for Catholic leaders who have advocated against capital punishment.
Irish parish shares in Lowry’s Open win
By Chai Brady, Catholic News ServiceCLARA, Ireland -- After Mass-goers’ prayers for golfer Shane Lowry were answered, there was “tremendous excitement” in his rural parish, said Fr. Joe Deegan, the local priest.