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.
International News
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.
Evil Incarnate
This past week, we have witnessed things not seen in such scale since the horrors of World War II, a genocide so tremendous, it was described by New York Times writer Peter Baker, quoting Ambassador Ryan Crocker, as “This is evil incarnate.”
The Chatter Is No Longer About Peace
In unusually strong language, the Vatican is asking the world to intercede to prevent the genocide being carried out in Iraq by the terrorists who make up the Islamic State.