by Jonathan Luxmoore WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — Calls for an Olympic boycott because of a Russian law banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” have become “highly politicized,” said an official of the Russian bishops’ conference. Msgr. Igor Kovalevsky, secretary-general of the bishops’ conference, said the Catholic Church would not be adopting an official stance on […]
International News
Egypt’s Copts Trace History Back to Jesus
by James Martone CAIRO (CNS) – The Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary sits in a tiled courtyard a few miles outside Cairo, on the left bank of the Nile as the river bends south toward Upper Egypt. The structure’s front doors overlook the famed river, which Egyptian Christians who pray and worship here […]
In Egypt, Christians Fear to Buy Food
(CNS) — A Catholic bishop in Luxor, about 400 miles south of Cairo, said Muslims and Christians are afraid to leave their homes; because the shops are closed and no one is venturing outside, many are running out of food. Coptic Catholic Bishop Youhannes Zakaria of Luxor told Fides, the news agency of the Congregation […]
Bolivia the Site of Korean Apostolate’s Mission
by Katherina Hwang The Korean Apostolate of the Brooklyn Diocese held its sixth annual Bolivia Mission Trip. The volunteers had helped the Cristo Salvador parish – Father Francisco Ma, pastor – located in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, from July 1-13, mainly by building a chapel in Brecha Dies, a countryside region that lacks electricity. The volunteers […]
Pope to Approve JPII Canonization
(CNS) – Pope Francis will host a meeting of cardinals Sept. 30 to formally approve the canonization of Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII; the date for the canonization will be announced at that time, said Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The cardinal told Vatican Radio Aug. 20 that […]
Pope Asks Soccer Players to Be ‘Models of Inclusion’
by Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) – With admiration and big smiles all around, the lifelong soccer fan Pope Francis met the star players and coaches of the Argentine and Italian national soccer teams hoping to compete for the World Cup in 2014. The teams were led to the Clementine Hall in the Apostolic Palace Aug. […]
Pope Restricts Use of Old Mass by Franciscans
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ order restricting the use of the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass in communities of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate addresses problems within the religious order and does not contradict retired Pope Benedict XVI’s permission for wider use of the old Mass throughout the Church, the Vatican […]
Into the Deep with Ships of Holy See
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – One could say it all started with St. Peter’s fishing boat. One day, that humble vessel turned into a powerful pontifical fleet, particularly during the life of the Papal States. While St. Peter’s boat was clearly used for fishing and helping Jesus preach to the crowds on shore, […]
Still No Sign of Priest ‘Kidnapped’ in Syria
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – After more than a week with no word from Jesuit Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, an Italian priest who worked for decades in Syria, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said, “it seems he has been kidnapped by an Islamist group” that is a “local version of al-Qaida,” the terrorist group. […]
Pope Outlines Temptations In Latin American Church
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – Reducing the faith to a worldly ideology, prizing administrative efficiency over missionary zeal and exalting the role of clergy to the detriment of the laity are some of the major “temptations” undermining evangelization in Latin America, Pope Francis told Church leaders from the region. “The decision for missionary discipleship will […]