News/International
VATICAN CITY - Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Pope Francis said the sudden end to the division of Europe was prepared by the prayers and sacrifice of many people, including St. John Paul II.
When puppets meet Syrian refugees, healing begins for children
By Barb Fraze, Catholic News ServiceBEIRUT - Syrian children who have seen their houses bombed and family members killed are using string, glue, socks, beads and other odds and ends to help put their lives back together.
Backers of Tennessee abortion measure credit prayer, Church support for passage
By Andy Telli, Catholic News ServiceNASHVILLE, Tenn. - Supporters of Amendment 1 said the measure to restore Tennessee lawmakers' authority to regulate abortion passed Nov. 4 because of the backing by Catholic and other religious leaders and their churches.
Archbishop says Nigeria must find political will to stop Islamist militants
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England - The president of the Nigerian bishops' conference said his country's government could defeat the Boko Haram Islamist militant group if it could muster the same political will it found to fight Ebola.
Priest among five convicted of bishop's 2005 slaying in Kenya
By Francis Njuguna, Catholic News ServiceNAIROBI, Kenya - A Catholic priest was among five people found guilty and sentenced to death for the 2005 slaying of Italian Bishop Luigi Locati.
Church protests beating deaths of Pakistani Christian couple accused of blasphemy
By Catholic News ServiceTHRISSUR, India - Catholic leaders in Pakistan protested the Nov. 4 beatings and burning of a young Christian couple accused of desecrating the Quran.
Burkina Faso bishops urge return of civilian rule
By Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News ServiceOXFORD, England - Burkina Faso's Catholic bishops sent a "message of peace and hope" to the West African country after its 27-year president, Blaise Compaore, fled prompting a military takeover.
Christian persecution gains notice from Prince Charles, Catholic group
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News ServiceMANCHESTER, England - The heir to the British throne suggested that Islamic leaders must speak out against the persecution of Christians by Muslims if they are to guarantee freedom within their own countries.
Vatican ethicist: No dignity in Brittany Maynard’s physician-assisted death
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s top ethicist condemned Brittany Maynard’s decision to end her life, saying there was no dignity in her physician-assisted death.
NY archdiocese, one of the world’s grandest, shrinks
By David Gibson, Religion News ServiceNEW YORK - The Archdiocese of New York, with the second-largest Catholic population in the country and an unparalleled place in U.S. Church history, is shrinking: Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Nov. 2 announced that nearly a third of the archdiocese’s 368 parishes would be merging, and some would close.
Woman's suicide called tragedy, symbol of 'culture of death' in U.S.
By Catholic News ServicePORTLAND, Ore. - Brittany Maynard, a young California woman who was suffering from terminal brain cancer and gained national attention for her plan to use Oregon's assisted suicide law, ended her life Nov. 1. She was 29 years old.