News/International
Some Colombians see papal visit as chance to examine Church role in war
By Paul Jeffrey, Catholic News ServiceBOGOTA, Colombia – When Pope Francis visits Colombia early next year, his visit may become a celebration of peace in a country with the longest-running war in the Western Hemisphere.
‘Defusing Hate’: Holocaust museum publishes a handbook
By Lauren Markoe, Religion News ServiceWASHINGTON – Hoping to make the world safer, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has published a guidebook on countering dangerous speech, authored by a young American who helped quell intertribal conflict in Kenya during its 2013 elections.
Patriarch urges refugee repatriation as long-term solution in Middle East
By Beth Griffin, Catholic News ServiceNEW YORK – Poor, destitute refugees now comprise half the people living in Lebanon, according to Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church.
Did same-sex marriage issue help sway regional elections in Mexico?
By David Agren, Catholic News ServiceMEXICO CITY – Mexicans turned out in droves to oust the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party in June 5 regional elections. Exit polls showed voters citing crime and corruption for removing the party of increasingly unpopular President Enrique Pena Nieto in seven of the 12 states holding gubernatorial elections.
California bill would limit colleges’ religious exemptions
By Kimberly Winston, Religion News ServiceA bill wending its way through the California Legislature would limit religious colleges’ ability to claim an exemption from federal Title IX regulations that bar discrimination against LGBT students and faculty.
Duterte sworn in as Philippine president, vows to listen to the people
By Catholic News ServiceMANILA, Philippines – Rodrigo Duterte, a controversial town mayor dubbed "Dirty Harry" and "The Punisher" for his tough stance on crime, was sworn in as the 16th president of the Philippines June 30.
U.S. bishops speak out against attack in Turkey
By Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – Following the June 28 terrorist attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport in Turkey, the president of the U.S. bishops' conference and Chicago's archbishop issued statements emphasizing the need to find comfort in faith and show support the suffering with prayer and generosity.
Action on gun violence is a respect life issue in the eyes of some
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – In the first 181 days of 2016, there have been 163 mass shootings in the United States, data gathered by the Washington-based nonprofit Gun Violence Archive show.
Pope Francis prays for peace following Turkey terrorist attack
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis led pilgrims in praying for peace and for the victims of a terrorist attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport in Turkey.
English bishops condemn rise in xenophobic attacks after Brexit vote
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England – Catholic bishops condemned a sharp rise in xenophobic and racist attacks following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.
Suicide bombers hit predominantly Christian Lebanese village near border
By Doreen Abi Raad, Catholic News ServiceBEIRUT – Suicide bombers attacked a predominantly Christian village in northeast Lebanon twice in one day, and residents called on the government to support them, saying Islamic State fighters were holed up on the outskirts of town.