Wearing his traditional red shuka and holding a spear, Issac Loilet sat outside his Tanzanian mud hut to ponder his fate, as the government continued evicting his tribespeople from their northern ancestral land in the name of wildlife protection.
International News
Religious Sisters Who Fight Human-Trafficking Are Honored For Their Work
On Oct. 31 in London, the spotlight was on the exceptional contribution of Catholic religious sisters to the anti-trafficking movement at the inaugural Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards, or SATAs.
Pope Confirms Trip for UN Climate Summit, Calls Synod of Bishops ‘Positive’
In a wide-ranging new interview, Pope Francis confirmed plans to visit Dubai for a U.N. climate summit in early December, addressed current global conflicts, and weighed in on several hot-button issues touched on during last month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality, including women’s ordination and priestly celibacy.
25 Years After International Religious Freedom Act, Limits on Religion Rise Worldwide
In the 25 years since the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act became law, “restrictions on religious freedom have been steadily increasing for several years” around the globe, said the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ religious liberty and international policy committees.
Vatican Nativity Scene to Honor 800th Anniversary of St. Francis’ Creche
On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter’s Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223.
Ouija Boards ‘Dangerous, Dangerous’ Tools of Evil That Deny God’s Love, say Catholic Experts
Thinking of having a little “fun” on Halloween by grabbing an Ouija board and ringing up Aunt Edna in the afterlife? Think again.
Rome’s Chief Rabbi Warns Prayer for Peace Must Not ‘Cancel Moral Evaluations’
In response to Pope Francis’s repeated pleas for an end to the war in Gaza and his recent day of prayer for peace, Rome’s chief rabbi has said that while armed conflict is always “an offense against human dignity,” at times it’s necessary to defeat evil.
Assembly Suggests Steps to Increase ‘Synodality’
While some of the issues discussed at the synod on synodality were judged to require further study, members came up with a list of things that can or should happen immediately and others that should be considered.
Pope Closes Synod Urging Detachment From ‘Personal Agendas’
Pope Francis closed this month’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality on Oct. 29 by telling participants that the process is not yet over, and urging them to prioritize love of God and others, things he said would free them from selfishness and attachment to personal agendas.
Synod Members Deny ‘Authentic Divisions,’ but Acknowledge Missing Voices
Participants in Pope Francis’ Synod of Bishops on Synodality have reiterated that there are no hostile divisions in the process despite differences of opinion, while also calling for a greater participation of women in leadership and for stronger ecumenical efforts to be made.