Announcing his desire to visit Iraq in 2020, Pope Francis called for a peaceful resolution to crises in the Middle East.
International News
Argentine Bishop at Heart of Phone Scandal Charged With Abusing Seminarians
On Friday, the public prosecutor’s office said that the prelate had remained silent during Thursday afternoon’s hearing, and that Zanchetta will undergo a psychological evaluation on June 12 as part of the investigation.
Cardinal Pell Returns to Prison to Await Ruling on Appeal
Cardinal George Pell was taken back to prison June 6 at the end of a two-day hearing on his appeal of his conviction on five counts of child sexual abuse.
Scale of Worldwide Christian Persecution ‘Deeply Disturbs’ UK Foreign Secretary
By Charles Collins LEICESTER, United Kingdom (Crux) – Britain’s foreign secretary said he was “deeply disturbed” by the fact that 215 million Christians faced persecution in 2018, one of the many instances of religious intolerance highlighted in a new survey published by the UK government. The 2018 Human Rights and Democracy report, issued every year […]
In Recalling Soldiers’ D-Day Sacrifice, Archbishop Prays for World Peace
In remembering the estimated 4,400 Allied troops who died storming the beaches of Normandy, France, 75 years ago on D-Day, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said that “Jesus Christ reminds us there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Cardinal Kasper Says Francis Will Allow Married Priests, If Bishops Request It
German Cardinal Walter Kasper, considered a close theological adviser to Pope Francis, said that if during an upcoming meeting of bishops on the Amazon region the prelates asked for the ordination of married men, the Argentine pontiff would grant the request.
French Sex Abuse Commission Gets to Work
France’s first ever independent commission set up by the Catholic Church to examine claims of clergy abuse has now launched its appeal for witnesses to offer testimony.
Pope Francis Beatifies Seven Martyred Romanian Bishops
On the last leg of his visit to Romania, the pope June 2 celebrated a Divine Liturgy during which seven Eastern-rite Catholic bishops, who died during a fierce anti-religious campaign waged by the communist regime in Romania, were beatified.
USCCB Releases Pope’s Book on Devil, Spiritual Tools to Combat Evil
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a new book of Pope Francis’ teachings on the history of the devil, “his empty promises and works” and “how we can actively combat him.”
Pell Seeks to Appeal Abuse Convictions in Australia State Court
Australian Cardinal George Pell, who was convicted of sexually abusing two choir boys more than 20 years ago, began his court appeal of the conviction on Wednesday June 5.