world news
Ukrainian pilgrims gather at Lourdes to pray for peace in homeland and in the world
As Russia’s war on Ukraine approaches its 11th year, thousands of Ukrainians from all over the world gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France to pray for peace in their homeland and throughout the world.
Vatican statistics show decline in baptisms, clergy, religious, worldwide
The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2022, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms declined, according to Vatican statistics.
British court convicts army veteran for silent prayer in front of abortion clinic
A court has convicted a British army veteran of violating a “buffer zone” around an abortion clinic after he prayed silently within the boundary.
Synod delegates discuss empowering local churches
As the Synod of Bishops on synodality engaged in conversation on the church’s hierarchy, synod delegates examined the relationship between the local and universal church during a public theological and pastoral forum.
Pope meets former Israeli and Palestinian officials promoting peace
Pope Francis met a former prime minister of Israel and a former Palestinian foreign minister who believe they have a workable peace plan for the Holy Land.
Los Angeles Archdiocese to settle more than 1,300 historic abuse claims in new agreement
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached an agreement in principle worth $880 million to compensate more than a thousand decades-old claims of childhood sexual abuse.
Synod members look at how synodality relates to papal primacy
ncouraging greater “synodal” practices in the Catholic Church should help the church find a greater balance between the power of the pope and the power of local bishops in their dioceses, said theologians participating in the Synod of Bishops.
Consensus among members plays major role at synod, theologians say
Members of the synod on synodality are only moving along the paths where there is consensus, said a group of theologians assisting the synod.
World Mission Sunday reminds Catholics of ‘our connection’ to faithful around globe, priest says
Each year, churches around the world commemorate World Mission Sunday to highlight, encourage and promote the Catholic Church’s missions around the world.
Wester: Nobel Peace Prize for Japanese atomic bomb survivors ‘fitting’ amid global tensions
The naming of a Japanese atomic bomb survivors group as this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient is “fitting … during this time of heightened geopolitical tension,” said Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, N.M., who has traveled to Japan on several peace pilgrimages and also released a 2022 pastoral letter on nuclear disarmament.