Workers decorate the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Nov. 26.
International News
‘We Are Counting On You’ – Abbas Tells Pope in Vatican Visit
On Monday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Pope Francis at the Vatican for a wide-ranging discussion that hit on major topics such as Christian persecution, the status of Jerusalem and a two-state solution for the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Solidarity With South Sudan Marks A Decade of Difficult Mission
An international group of Catholics has spent the last decade developing new leaders in war-torn South Sudan, but its members have paid a heavy price for their accompaniment of that country’s suffering people.
The Christian Minority: Celebrating Advent in a Buddhist Country
Along the island’s southwestern coast is the bustling beach town of Patong, where the main roads are simply two lanes filled with scooters and tourist vans hurrying to their destinations.
Advent Is the Time to Focus on Vigilance and Prayer, Pope Says
Christians can turn Christmas into a “pagan” or “mundane” holiday by focusing on the gifts and the tree rather than on the birth of Jesus and his promise to come again, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Homosexual Priests Should Be Celibate, or Leave
The Catholic Church has been slow to recognize the presence of homosexual men in the priesthood, which is why superiors must exercise care in helping gay candidates prepare for a life of celibacy or leave the seminary, Pope Francis said.
Nicaragua’s Bishops Brave Gunfire, Stand Tall in Advent Message
Amid violent persecution including Catholic bishops getting shot at, Nicaragua’s bishops’ conference is not holding back, insisting that the “tears of the people are the tears of God” in their Advent message.
Expert Says Sexual Abuse Is Everyone’s Problem
Teresa Kettelkamp, an expert in the field of child protection and a member of the papal team charged with leading anti-abuse efforts, has said a Feb. 21-24 global summit of bishops addressing the issue will force prelates to accept the problem as a global phenomenon happening on their own turf, and she voiced hope that there will be concrete follow-up.
Charity Head: Ultranationalism Threatens Believers’ Religious Freedom
Ultranationalism is the chief reason behind the growing number of countries ranked worse than before on guaranteeing citizens their religious freedom, according to Thomas Heine-Geldern, executive president of Aid to the Church in Need.
Catholics in Region Devastated by Boko Haram Have ‘Unshakable Faith’
Bishop Oliver D. Doeme of Maiduguri, Nigeria, has seen his share of death, violence and destruction in the past nine years, but he keeps his focus on his firm belief that the local church will be restored.