News/International
Pharmacist sues over dismissal for not issuing contraceptive pill
By Bob Smietana, Religion News ServiceNASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Tennessee pharmacist and a Baptist church deacon who lost his job after an ongoing dispute over selling Plan B contraception has sued his former bosses, claiming he was fired because of his religious beliefs.
U.S. nun, 84, to do hard time for nuclear plant break-in
By Amanda Murphy, Religion News ServiceAn 84-year-old nun was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Feb. 18 for breaking into a Tennessee nuclear facility in 2012.
Pope Francis, cardinal advisors study Vatican financial, administrative offices
By Cindy Wooden and Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis met for the third time in late February with his international Council of Cardinals, an eight-member group advising him on the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy and other issues.
Filipino woman who saved dozens wants to stay in Tacloban community she loves
By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News ServiceMention the name of Maria Rosevilla Margate and many of the residents of the community known as Barangay 54A nod approvingly. They know exactly where to find her.
Babe Ruth's first baseball field at Catholic school to be preserved in Baltimore
By George P. Matysek Jr. and Maria Wiering, Catholic News ServiceBALTIMORE - The baseball field where legendary slugger Babe Ruth learned to play the game is being preserved.
Spanish bishop says no abortions OK, even though conference backs bill
By Catholic News ServiceMADRID - A Spanish bishop urged medical personnel to stop performing all abortions, even though the church has backed new legislation that would still allow abortion in cases of rape.
Worldwide, Catholic bishop split on anti-gay laws
By David Gibson, Religion News ServiceThe Roman Catholic hierarchy has generally been viewed as a unified bloc in opposition to gay rights, but the emergence of especially punitive measures against gays in various countries has opened unusually stark and public fissures among bishops in different nations.
Ukraine Church leader seeks prayers of solidarity
By Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON - Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych, Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, capped a week-long visit to the United States by asking all people of goodwill to join Ukrainian Catholics in prayer to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine.
Church workers rejoice, recall challenges as India declared polio-free
By Anto Akkara, Catholic News ServiceKOTTAYAM, India - As the World Health Organization declared India "polio-free" Feb. 11, church health workers celebrated and reflected on the challenges they faced convincing parents to allow their children to get the vaccine.
Pope Francis clears way for beatification of 124 Korean martyrs
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 124 Catholics who were killed during widespread persecution in Korea in the 18th through 19th centuries.
Prayer and protest converge in Ukraine
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterCanadians are understandably disturbed that anonymous, state-supported thugs can kidnap, beat, mutilate and crucify a protest leader in Ukraine, but they should also think of the terror faced by ordinary citizens, Ukrainian Catholics told The Catholic Register.