News/International

WASHINGTON – The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, in a position statement issued earlier this spring, said some of its drugs are not meant to be used for executions and that it would restrict those drugs' availability to government agencies that might use them to make compounds for lethal injections.

U.K. Catholic priest who fled sex abuse allegations arrested in Kosovo

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A British Catholic priest has been arrested in Kosovo, five years after fleeing the U.K. following allegations of child sex abuse.

Obama directive on transgender access to bathrooms 'deeply disturbing'

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WASHINGTON – The Obama administration's May 13 directive on transgender access to bathrooms "that treats 'a student's gender identity as the student's sex' is deeply disturbing," said the chairmen of two U.S. Catholic bishops' committees.

Biden receives high Catholic honour despite pro-abortion stance

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Vice President Joseph Biden stood at the University of Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony on Sunday (May 15) with a medal signifying American Catholicism’s highest honor slung on a blue velvet rope around his neck.

Pope’s visit to Armenian genocide memorial may strain tensions with Turkey

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VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will visit the Armenian Genocide memorial complex during a three-day visit to the country in June, a move that may strain the Vatican’s diplomatic relations with Turkey.

Increasing Jewish settlements cause unease in Jerusalem's Old City

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JERUSALEM – On a tidy residential street of the Christian Quarter of the Old City, boys still play with marbles along the cobblestones, and neighbours call out to one another from balconies abloom with red carnations.

Bishop ordains father, son as deacons in a first for Green Bay Diocese

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PULASKI, Wis. – When David Parker informed his eldest child, Legionary Brother David Parker Jr., that he was pursuing the diaconate again, the son had a question for his father: "How many years do you have in formation?"

Economy of exclusion, inequality caused growth of poverty, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – An economic vision geared solely toward profit and material well-being has led to an economy of exclusion and inequality that has increased poverty and the number of people discarded "as unproductive and useless," Pope Francis said. 

Order in the court: 'VatiLeaks' trial testifies to unique legal process

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VATICAN CITY – The latest "VatiLeaks" trial seemed to have all the makings of a classic courtroom thriller: financial scandal, secrets leaked by an insider and journalists defending their right to blow the whistle on allegations of corruption within a state that is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope did not say he'd ordain women deacons, spokesman says

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VATICAN CITY – After some news outlets reported the Pope was considering ordaining women deacons and comments were made about women deacons leading to women priests, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi clarified the Pope’s comments May 13.

Cardinal Pell: Laypeople a bridge between Church and the world

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VATICAN CITY – Laypeople are called to be a bridge between the Church and the world, particularly in matters of finance where "clerics simply do not have that high level of expertise that can only come from highly competent and dedicated professionals," said Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.