A girl receives Communion during Mass at the Steubenville NYC youth conference at St John’s University in Jamaica, New York. More than 1,700 teenagers and youth ministers from 11 states and Canada participated in the event. Photo: CNS
Category: World Report
Pope Francis prays for Venezuela as referendum sparks more violence
The Pope is renewing his prayers for the embattled people of Venezuela, after a reported seven million people voted in an unofficial referendum against government changes to their constitution. The referendum was organised to put pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, in order to further weaken his legitimacy as a leader. “I express a special greeting…
A US vote could repeal assisted suicide law in Washington DC
New steps have been taken to repeal Washington DC’s assisted suicide law, as the House of Appropriations Committee voted to repeal the legislation last week. The day before the vote, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan sent a letter to members of the committee urging them to “nullify the DC City Council’s deceptively named ‘Death with…
UN told religious leaders need help in battling atrocity crimes
Religious leaders play a major role in preventing atrocity crimes by promoting peace around the world – but don’t have the resources to combat it themselves. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See Mission to the UN, said that “religious leaders have much to contribute”, but ultimately it was the responsibility of…
Tomb of Christ re-opens to pilgrims
Christian pilgrims can once again visit one of the Faith’s holiest sites. The restored tomb in which Jesus’ body is believed to have been buried following his crucifixion has been reopened following extensive restoration and conservation work. Housed in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, it was closed for the nine-month…
Victim of Venezuelan clashes
A child receives medical attention after being aff ected by tear gas during clashes at a July 9 protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas. The country’s bishops have warned that the government is attempting to establish a military dictatorship. Photo: CNS
Calling for federal Europe, Pope warns of US-Russia alliance
The US and Russia have a distorted global vision, Pope Francis has said, warning that an alliance between the two could be dangerous for the world’s poorest and weakest. Interviewed by the Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari for Repubblica against the background of the G-20 summit in Hamburg, the Pope reportedly said: “I fear there are…
Accused bishop in Guam ‘should not return to diocese’
A prelate accused of abuse should not be allowed to return to head his diocese regardless of the outcome of his Vatican trial, the bishop currently running the diocese has said. Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes of Agana in the US territory of Guam has said it would be “a disaster” if Archbishop Anthony Apuron were…
US execution of mentally ill man criticised by bishops
US Bishops have criticised the execution of a man who was said to be mentally ill. William Morva was executed in Virginia, after being convicted of killing a hospital security guard and a sheriff’s deputy after escaping from custody several years ago. He was killed by lethal injection last week, causing the Virginia Catholic Conference…
US and European bishops call for end to nuclear arsenals
European and American bishops have called for all nations to develop a plan to eliminate nuclear weapons from their military arsenals. A joint declaration from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions called upon the US and European nations to work with other nations to “map out…