News/International
European bishops welcome EU classification of Islamic State 'genocide'
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England - A European bishops' commission has welcomed a move by the European Parliament to classify atrocities and religious cleansing by the Islamic State as genocide.
Honduran cardinal warns against abortion for Zika fetuses
By David Gibson, Religion News ServiceCardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras, a top adviser to Pope Francis, has denounced the idea of “therapeutic abortions” — which are carried out because of fetal abnormalities — as a response to birth defects caused by the mosquito-borne Zika virus that is setting off alarms throughout Latin America.
Obama pleads for tolerance in first visit to U.S. mosque
By Lauren Markoe, Religion News ServiceCATONSVILLE, Md. - In times of rising Islamophobia, U.S. President Barack Obama made a plea for religious tolerance during his first presidential visit to an American mosque.
Jordan says it cannot continue to bear brunt of Syrian refugee crisis
By Dale Gavlak, Catholic News ServiceAL-KHALDIYA, Jordan - As a donors conference to stem the Syrian refugee crisis opens in London, Syria's neighbors, which have hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees for the past five years, say they cannot continue to bear the brunt of the burden.
Haitian bishops call for quick, negotiated solution to pending political crisis
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News ServicePORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Haiti's Catholic bishops urged political leaders to reach a negotiated solution to the country's looming political crisis as President Michel Martelly's term ends Feb. 7 and elections to find a successor have been indefinitely delayed.
Salvadoran priests: Government can't tell women when to get pregnant
By Edgardo Ayala, Catholic News ServiceSAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - The Salvadoran bishops have made no comment on a government recommendation to women to delay pregnancy because of the Zika virus, and priests contacted by Catholic News Service gave varied responses on their reaction.
Italy: 'Family Day' rally draws hundreds of thousands
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceROME - Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Rome's Circus Maximus to protest against a proposed bill that would grant legal recognition to nonmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples and give them the right to adopt children.
Covering nude statues in Rome for Iran head draws Catholic leader’s scorn
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceROME - Controversy over Italy’s decision to cover nude statues during the visit of Iran’s president continued to spark debate as the leader of the Syrian Catholic Church criticized the episode, saying it pains persecuted Christians in Syria who feel forgotten.
Germany, Austrian bishops say keep doors open to refugees
By Catholic News ServiceBERLIN - Catholic bishops in Germany and Austria have urged their countries to continue accepting refugees, despite demands for new restrictions after New Year's Eve violence in Cologne and other cities.
Pro-life law firm defends California centre in Planned Parenthood suit
By Mike Nelson, Catholic News ServiceLOS ANGELES - A Chicago-based law firm known for supporting pro-life causes will defend the Centre for Medical Progress in a federal racketeering lawsuit filed Jan. 14 by Planned Parenthood against the centre.
Bishop warns Lord’s Resistance Army re-emerging in Central African Republic
By Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News ServiceA senior Roman Catholic bishop in the Central African Republic is warning that the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel force that killed more than 100,000 people in northern Uganda in the 1980s and ’90s, is rising up again in his country.