National and international policies leave migrant children at the mercy of traffickers and sexual predators a Vatican official told the UN. Policies that involve criminalising and detaining child migrants “are an insult to human dignity” and are “the dramatic evidence of existing inequalities and failing systems,” said Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Vatican observer to UN agencies…

Calls for a peace treaty between North and South Korea were made last week as the countries are still technically at war. A symposium organised by South Korean bishops saw several speakers calling for a new peace agreement to replace a 64-year-old truce. Hak-jae Kim, a researcher at the Institute for Peace and Unification Studies…

A large majority of bishops in the Scottish Episcopal Church have voted to allow same-sex marriage. The vote removed the condition that marriage is between a man and a women, amending canon law last week. Clergy are allowed to choose to officiate at gay marriages, meaning that they would not have to act against their…

Following its own findings of severe corruption in government, the South African Council of Churches called for the dissolving of parliament and new general elections. The government “has lost its moral legitimacy” and new polls are needed, the South African Council of Churches said in a statement. The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference is a…

Civilians in Myanmar (Burma) are seeking shelter in churches following an ultimatum made by the country’s army. The military dropped letters warning residents to leave an area called Tanai, by June 15, or else they would be considered to have links with a rebel army it has been reported. Church social workers have said that…

Martial law in the southern Philippines and security forces’ clashes with a local terrorist group made a mockery of Independence Day celebrations, a bishop based in the Philippines said. “As long as there is martial law and unrest in Marawi City, the ‘independence’ of our nation is a farce,” said Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon.…

Pope Francis has defended the right of women to participate in social, economic and political life in all levels of society. The Pope was speaking to members, consultors and guests of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which was holding its plenary assembly in Rome last week. Participants discussed the role of women in teaching…

Pope Francis discussed natural disasters, refugees and jobs with the Italian president last week. With recent earthquakes causing havoc in central Italy and large amounts of refugees entering the country from the Middle East the Italian administration have been under intense pressure. There has also been a scramble to create jobs, especially for young people.…

The acidification of oceans will have drastic environmental consequences, speakers told a UN conference last week. Over 3,500 people representing countries, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations attended the conference on sustainable development. Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana said that effective regulations to safeguard the world’s oceans are being blocked by “those who are profiting most…