News/International
A report launched Nov. 21 in the Canadian parliament by Benedict Rogers, the British co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, raised several red flags about the insidious but dangerous erosion of religious freedom in Hong Kong.
Latin patriarch: Political leaders must seek diplomatic solution to Israel-Hamas conflict
By Rick Snizek, OSV NewsThe current war between Israel and Hamas may finally force a diplomatic solution to the long intractable tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Holy Land, said the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.
Proposed referendum for Irish Constitution calls for widening the definition of family
By Michael Kelly, OSV NewsA pro-family campaign group has warned that a proposed March referendum in Ireland to amend the country's constitution would be a "further downgrading of the importance of marriage to society."
Explosion at university in southern Philippines kills four people during morning Mass
By Maria-Pia Negro Chin, OSV NewsA deadly bomb that exploded during a Mass Dec. 3 killed at least four people and injured dozens at a university in a predominantly Muslim city in southern Philippines.
Bishop criticizes ‘rethinking’ morality teaching
By Maria Wiering, OSV NewsBishop Robert E. Barron said he is in “frank disagreement” with a section of a report from the Synod on Synodality indicating that scientific advances could prompt “rethinking” of the Church’s teaching on sexual morality.
Pope Francis says he has serious bronchial infection
By Catholic News ServiceAt the brief meeting with participants in a seminar on the ethics of health care management, the pope said he was suffering from a "bronchial condition. Thank God it was not pneumonia," but he said it was a very serious bronchial infection.
'Les Misérables' bishop on sainthood path
By Caroline de Sury, OSV NewsThe real bishop behind Victor Hugo’s famous Les Misérables character is likely to be beatified. The French bishops, gathered in Lourdes Nov. 3-8 for their plenary assembly, voted in favour of opening the diocesan process for his beatification.
For hostages’ families, the painful wait continues
By Rick Snizek, OSV NewsIt’s a nightmare scenario that no parent would ever want to experience. Fifty days after her children were taken hostage, Hadas Kalderon did not see their names on the list of the first three rounds of released hostages.
On third day of cease-fire, more Hamas hostages freed; Israel releases more Palestinians
By Judith Sudilovsky, OSV NewsThe Hamas militant group Nov. 26 released a third group of hostages numbering 17, who include 12 Israelis, one American woman and an Israeli-American child and three Thai nationals, according to The Associated Press, and Israel confirmed it freed another 39 Palestinians.
Pope Francis holds separate meetings with Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceWith hopes growing for a temporary, humanitarian cease-fire, Pope Francis met at the Vatican Nov. 22 with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Sagrada Familia a step nearer completion
By Begoña Aragonese, OSV NewsIt seemed like one of Antonio Gaudí's dreams come true.
On Nov. 12, the papal nuncio to Spain, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, blessed the towers of the Evangelists of the famous Sagrada Familía basilica in Barcelona. Gaudí, a legendary Catalan architect, started working on the now-iconic basilica 140 years ago. Five generations now have watched the temple’s progress.