News/International
NAIROBI, Kenya – A Slovak nun shot and wounded in Yei, South Sudan, died May 20 at a hospital in Nairobi.
Vatican approves election of Italian Franciscan as 'custos' of Holy Land
By Judith Sudilovsky, Catholic News ServiceJERUSALEM – The Holy See has approved the election of Franciscan Father Francesco Patton as the new "custos" of the Holy Land, replacing Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who held the position for 12 years.
Prominent French priest and Vatican adviser accused in sex scandal
By David Gibson and Tom Heneghan, Religion News ServiceFor years, seminaries and monasteries around France sent students and novices to Monsignor Tony Anatrella, a prominent French priest and therapist who has written disparagingly of gays, if their superiors decided the young men were struggling with homosexuality.
Pope to visit Ireland for 2018 meeting of families
By Catholic News ServiceDUBLIN – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin confirmed that Pope Francis, or his successor, will visit Ireland in 2018 for the World Meeting of Families.
Swine flu leads to changes to Brazilian churches Sunday practices
By Lise Alves, Catholic News ServiceSAO PAULO – Due to the swine flu outbreak in several parts of Brazil, parishes all over the country have adopted changes in liturgical practices. These changes include suspending hand-held prayers by the congregation and the traditional sign of peace and placing the Eucharist in the parishioners' hands instead of in their mouths during Communion.
Church of Scotland to consider online baptisms, Communion
By Trevor Grundy, Religion News ServiceCANTERBURY, England – The Church of Scotland will launch a two-year investigation into the possibility of introducing online baptisms, Communion and other Christian sacraments.
Do not give in to fear in helping migrants, Pope tells diplomats
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence and persecution as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said.
Indian couples frustrated as Missionaries of Charity stop adoptions
By Saadia Azim, Catholic News ServiceCALCUTTA, India – Seventeen-month-old Anirban Mukherjee playfully touches his mother's face with his fingers at Shishu Bhavan, the Missionaries of Charity children's home.
Mexican bishop calls for compassion for people growing opium
By David Agren, Catholic News ServiceMEXICO CITY – A Catholic bishop in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero has called for compassion toward the impoverished populations harvesting opium poppies out of necessity, saying such people are not sinners and are neglected by the government.
Cardinals, papal almoner will not testify at Vatican trial
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – The Vatican court denied a request by a defendant in the so-called "VatiLeaks" trial to have three Vatican officials to testify.
In French interview, Pope talks about religious freedom, abuse crisis
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY – Governments work best when they are secular, not confessional, but they must give ample space for people to express their religious beliefs, including by respecting the right of conscientious objection, Pope Francis told the French Catholic newspaper La Croix.