One of the dangers of a “sterile” form of celibacy is bitterness and gossip, Pope Francis said July 26 during a meeting with 123 priests working in the Diocese of Caserta and 19 bishops from Italy’s Campania region.
International News
Pope’s Garden Offers Peace and Tranquility
The gardens of the papal villas at Castel Gandolfo, which were planted in the 1930s, are a meticulously maintained historic, artistic and botanical treasure — and Pope Francis has opened them for the public to enjoy.
Ebola Negates Sign of Peace in Nigeria
In an effort to curtail the spread of Ebola, the archdioceses of Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria instructed their priests to suspend all forms of physical contact during Mass, including the traditional sign of peace.
Bishop in Paraguay Is Told to Stop Ordaining
The Vatican has told the bishop in the Diocese of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, to stop ordaining priests amid ongoing allegations of sexual abuse committed by a high-ranking diocesan official.
Laity Is the Strength of The Church in Korea
When Pope Francis travels to South Korea, Aug. 14-18, he is ready to find a Catholic Church that exemplifies much of what he hopes for the Church around the world, including a highly active laity.
Korea Welcomes Pope Francis
Pope Francis is visiting South Korea Aug. 14-18 and will celebrate Mass at Asian Youth Day, beatify Korean martyrs and preside at a Mass for national reconciliation. You can see the highlights on NET-TV.
Lebanese Bishops React to Islamist Militants’ Incursion
Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic bishops underscored their “full confidence” in the country’s military and security forces as the Lebanese army battled Islamist militants’ incursion into Lebanon near the border with Syria.
Iraqi Christians Recall Nightmare of Terror
At the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center in Beirut, Lebanon, Catholic News Service spoke to Catholic Iraqi refugees about the traumatic experiences that led to their exodus from Iraq.
No War in the Name of God
Pope Francis condemned the actions of Islamic State militants in Iraq, saying that persecuting Christians and other minorities “seriously offends God and seriously offends humanity.”
Q&A on Reform of Vatican Finances
Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, spoke to Catholic News Service about a range of issues, including Vatican financial scandals; the need for transparency, “checks and balances,” efforts to internationalize the Vatican bureaucracy and more.