News/International
Cardinal Wuerl named in grand jury report more than 200 times, responds to criticism
By Ed Condon, Catholic News Agency
WASHINGTON – Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., and the former Bishop of Pittsburgh, has been named more than 200 times in a Pennsylvania grand jury report, released Aug. 14, after an 18-month investigation into historic allegations of sexual abuse in six Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses.
Chaldean Catholic synod give alms for return of displaced Christians
By Catholic News Service
DAHUK, Iraq – The Chaldean Catholic Church concluded a weeklong synod in Baghdad offering thanks to God for the return of numerous displaced Christians to their hometowns in the Ninevah Plain and for pastoral achievements in their dioceses.
Myanmar's Cardinal Bo backs Pope's opposition to death penalty
By Catholic News ServiceMANDALAY, Myanmar – Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, hailed Pope Francis' admonition that imposing the death penalty is always inadmissible.
Australian court approves house arrest for Archbishop Wilson
By Catholic News Service
ADELAIDE, Australia – An Australian judge approved home detention for Archbishop Philip Wilson, the retired archbishop of Adelaide who was found guilty of failing to report child sexual abuse allegations in the 1970s.
'Mountaintop Mass' celebrated to honour Father McGivney draws more than 1,000
By Catholic News Service
WATERBURY, Conn. – More than 1,000 people gathered in the rain on top of Holy Land USA as Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of Hartford celebrated Mass to honour Waterbury native Father Michael McGivney, a candidate for sainthood, founder of the Knights of Columbus, and two-time seminarian in Quebec.
Priest sent second letter reporting McCarrick abuse to Cardinal O'Malley
By Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON – In a June 2015 letter to Boston's Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley obtained by Catholic News Service, a New York priest tells the prelate about "sexual abuse/harassment/intimidation" allegations he had heard concerning then-Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick and asks that if the matter doesn't fall under his purview, to forward it to the "proper agency in the Vatican."
'Appalling sexual abuse' by monks covered up at schools in England, inquiry finds
By Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England – The "appalling sexual abuse" of children as young as 7 was covered up in two leading Benedictine-run schools in England to protect the reputations of predatory monks, a government-backed investigation concluded.
Cardinal O'Malley calls for investigation at Boston seminary after social media reports
By Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON – The Archbishop of Boston said in an Aug. 10 statement that he has asked the rector of its main archdiocesan St. John Seminary to go on sabbatical leave immediately and is asking for an investigation of allegations made on social media about activities there "directly contrary to the moral standards and requirements of formation for the Catholic priesthood."
Social media plays role in breaking Church sex abuse stories
By Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON – Magazines and newspapers have long been sources to break big news stories. Now, too, social media is taking its turn.
Explainer: How Vatican abuse trials work
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN – Any member of the clergy accused of the sexual abuse of a minor is tried according to procedures outlined in the Code of Canon Law and specific norms spelled out in "Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela" ("Safeguarding the Sanctity of the Sacraments").
Argentina Senate votes down abortion decriminalization bill
By Catholic News Service
MEXICO CITY – The Argentine Senate voted against a bill that would have decriminalized abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.