News/International
Civil service purges and mass arrests in Turkey since a July 15 failed coup attempt are bad news for religious freedom in what has been one of the Muslim world’s most open and democratic societies, said Canada’s former ambassador for religious freedom.
World Vision ‘shocked’ by allegations its Gaza operative funneled money to Hamas
By Michele Chabin, Religion News ServiceJERUSALEM – World Vision, one of the world’s largest Christian humanitarian aid organizations, said it has “no reason … at this time” to believe that its operations manager in Gaza funneled tens of millions of dollars in donations to Hamas’ military wing, as Israeli security officials claimed.
Forgive others and find peace, Pope says during brief visit to Assisi
By Catholic News ServiceASSISI, Italy – Celebrating how God's mercy has been experienced for 800 years in a tiny stone church in Assisi, Pope Francis said people need to experience God's forgiveness and start learning how to forgive others.
Middle East bishops demand Western aid for Christians
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO – Most Western humanitarian aid is failing to reach the thousands of Christians who have fled their homes as Daesh (or Islamic State) fighters have swept through Iraq and Syria, three Middle Eastern bishops charged at the 134th Knights of Columbus convention in Toronto.
At World Youth Day, the Church shines on the world
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterKRAKOW, POLAND – From the outside, a church can look cold and dark. The stained glass windows don’t reveal much of what’s inside. But when you walk in, the sunlight streams through the multi-coloured glass and the church comes alive.
Go for the solidarity, Pope tells Olympic athletes
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – A more important prize than a gold medal is up for grabs at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro: a chance to experience solidarity and contribute to the realization that all people are members of one human family, Pope Francis said.
Blessed Romero an example of faith for youths attending Panama's WYD
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – For the young people who will attend World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, the life and martyrdom of Blessed Oscar Romero is a shining example of Christian faith in the midst of struggles, said several bishops from Panama.
Knights of Columbus leader says Catholics cannot vote for abortion advocates
By David Gibson, Religion News ServiceCarl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus fraternal order and one of the most influential lay Catholics in the church, has said that abortion outweighs all other issues in the presidential campaign and Catholics cannot vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights.
Iraqi, Syrian minorities discuss what they would need to return home
By James Martone, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – Security tops the list of what Christians of Iraq and Syria want before they'll consider returning to areas they fled when the Islamic State and other extremist groups took over.
Catholics urged not to give in to hatred after French priest's death
By Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON – While Catholics mourn the senseless killing of a beloved French priest church leaders have emphasized that shock and grief over this attack cannot fuel hatred against Muslims or immigrants.
Cardinal Macharski, 89, retired archbishop of Krakow, dies
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – As World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow wrapped up, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, the retired success to St. John Paul II as archbishop of the host city, died Aug. 2 at the age of 89.