News/International

WASHINGTON - The creation of the Office for Engagement with Faith-Based Communities at the U.S. State Department, announced Aug. 7, follows long-
standing criticism that U.S. diplomacy has been too separated from the realities of the importance of religion.

JERUSALEM - Coveted as a spiritual and political capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, the status of the city of Jerusalem has stood out as one of the pivotal topics in their ongoing peace negotiations.

NEW DELHI - Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, Sri Lanka, expressed "shock and distress" in accusing the military of storming a Catholic church and firing on residents who had sought refuge there.

VATICAN CITY - At the request of a man allegedly abused by a priest in 1965, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed his case claiming the Vatican was the priest's employer and could be liable for damages.

VATICAN CITY - After more than a week with no word from Jesuit Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, an Italian priest who worked for decades in Syria, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said, "it seems he has been kidnapped by an Islamist group" that is a "local version of al-Qaida," the terrorist group.

VATICAN CITY - In an effort to shake its image as a secretive, scandal-ridden institute and improve its relationship with the media, the Vatican bank has launched its own website.

VATICAN CITY - The war in Syria is like a factory churning out nothing but death, destruction and suffering, said Archbishop Mario Zenari, Vatican nuncio to Syria.

DUBLIN - Irish pro-life campaigners vowed to work to repeal a new law that permits abortion in limited circumstances.

VATICAN CITY - At least 38 pilgrims were killed on their way home from the Padre Pio shrine when their bus plunged off an elevated highway.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis sent condolences to the archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, after a train crash left at least 80 dead and more than 100 injured.