News/International
Church charities augment tattered school system in quake-wracked Nepal
By Anto Akkara, Catholic News ServiceKATHMANDU, Nepal - Like thousands of Nepalese homeowners, Sobha Laksmi Maharjan lost her residence in the devastating earthquake that rocked Nepal April 25. But she remains busy and cheerful at work despite the hardship.
African clergy to protest Obama’s gay-rights ‘agenda’ on trip
By Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News ServiceNAIROBI, Kenya - Anti-gay activists, including conservative clerics, traditional elders and politicians, are threatening to resist any push by U.S. President Barack Obama for gay rights during his Kenya visit this week, with tactics that range from throwing rotten eggs to marching naked and boycotting his speeches.
World's mayors head to Vatican, vow to tackle climate change, poverty
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - After decades of world leaders trying to set global goals to address climate change and extreme poverty, city mayors gathered at the Vatican to pledge they will take real action and lead the fight on their streets.
Fr. Robert Barron, one of three auxiliary bishops named for Los Angeles
By Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON - Pope Francis has named three auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles including Fr. Robert Barron, creator of the Catholicism television series.
Priest finds frustrations build among Christians in Iraq camp
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England - When the Islamic State overran the Iraqi town of Qaraqosh last August, one of the priests there jumped into his car and joined the exodus of Christians on the road east in the hope of reaching the safety of Kurdish-controlled territory.
Philippine archbishop: Protecting environment benefits poorest nations
By Simone Orendain, Catholic News ServiceMANILA, Philippines - The president of the Philippine bishops' conference called climate change a matter of social justice and said that caring for Earth should not just be a goal to benefit this generation but also future generations.
German cardinal says arson attacks on immigrant hostels 'sow hatred'
By Catholic News ServiceMUNICH - A German Catholic Church leader condemned an arson attack that destroyed a reception centre for asylum seekers.
California governor says Laudato Si' was necessary wake-up call
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceROME - Elections, like profit reports, have regular short-term rhythms, which is why Pope Francis' encyclical letter on the environment was so "appropriate and absolutely essential" for waking people up to the dangers of climate change, said California Gov. Jerry Brown.
Cardinal Pell takes a swing at Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s financial chief, Cardinal George Pell, has taken the unusual step of criticizing Pope Francis’ groundbreaking environmental encyclical, arguing the Catholic Church has “no particular expertise in science.”
Francis’ South Korean trip still bearing fruit, says Korean Bishop
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - A year later, Pope Francis' visit to South Korea continues to bear fruit in the Asian nation, said Daejeon Bishop Lazzaro You.
Christians grow weary over rising threat of kidnapping in Syria, Iraq
By Dale Gavlak, Catholic News ServiceAMMAN, Jordan - Arab Christians are viewing with growing concern and revulsion an uptick in kidnappings of both their clergy and civilians as violence worsens in Syria and Iraq.