News/International
VATICAN CITY -- Christian family life is a vocation and, when lived with fidelity, it is a path to holiness, said the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life.
Pope allows pilgrimages to Medjugorje
By Cindy WoodenVatican City -- Parishes and dioceses are now allowed to organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it must be clear that the Catholic Church has not recognized as authentic the alleged Marian apparitions there.
No more silence on abuse
By Carol GlatzVatican City -- Sweeping new Church laws issued by Pope Francis to protect minors and hold bishops accountable reinforce the message that the days of covering up or ignoring abuse allegations are over, said the Vatican’s top abuse investigator.
Pro-life leaders applaud passage of bill to ban most abortions in Alabama
By Catholic News ServiceBy passing a bill to ban abortion in nearly all circumstances, the Alabama Legislature has recognized that abortion is "the extinguishing of a unique human life," said the president and CEO of Americans United for Life.
Pope's Marian pilgrimage to Transylvania shines light on ethnic Hungarians
By Victor Gaetan, Catholic News ServiceWhen Pope Francis visits Romania May 31-June 1, he will helicopter to Sumuleu Ciuc, site of the country's only major Marian shrine and an important place of pilgrimage for Hungarian Catholics.
Pope sends cardinal to Lesbos as refugees continue to arrive
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceMYTILENE, Greece - When a Greek priest suggested that if Greece found a home for all the migrants and refugees in its camps, Turkey would just let more come over, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski balked.
Church leaders worldwide mourn, offer prayers following Vanier's death
By Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON - The death of Jean Vanier, whose ministry helped improve the lives of developmentally disabled people in dozens of countries, drew prayers and words of condolence from church leaders around the world.
Aid workers struggle to reunite kids, families after Mozambique cyclones
By Bronwen Dachs, Catholic News ServiceCAPE TOWN, South Africa - Helping children who lost their parents when a pair of cyclones hit Mozambique is among the most difficult work in the aftermath, an aid worker said.
Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, dies at 90
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterIt is not a cliché to say Jean Vanier practised what he preached.
Early evacuation in India spares more than 1 million from deadly cyclone
By Catholic News ServiceNEW DELHI - A powerful cyclone ripped through eastern India and sideswiped Bangladesh, leaving a trail of destruction and more than 30 deaths.
Churches in Sri Lanka closed for second week in fear of new attacks
By Catholic News ServiceCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Catholic leaders canceled Sunday Masses as Sri Lanka’s churches remained closed for a second week for fear of new terrorist attacks after the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people.