world news
GOP presidential candidates debate absent Trump, gender transitions for minors
Four Republican presidential candidates participated in a Dec. 6 debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama seeking to increase their support as their party’s first contests in the primary process are scheduled next month.
Proposed referendum for Irish Constitution calls for widening the definition of family
A pro-family campaign group has warned that a proposed March referendum in Ireland to amend the country’s constitution would be a “further downgrading of the importance of marriage to society.”
Pope, Council of Cardinals discussed the role of women in the church
With the input of two women and a priest, Pope Francis and members of his international Council of Cardinals discussed the role of women in the Catholic Church.
Archbishop exhorts Advent vigilance as national shrine’s Holy Door sealed
Archbishop Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was the main celebrant of the Mass, which included his blessing and sealing the basilica’s entrance door as a Holy Door for the Catholic Church’s Holy Year 2025, which has as its theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Holy Spirit inspires creativity, simplicity in evangelization, pope says
Christians must rely more on the Holy Spirit than on their own plans and strategies if they hope to fulfill their mission to share the good news of God’s love and of salvation in Christ, Pope Francis said.
Tuberville ends hold on hundreds of military promotions over Pentagon abortion policy
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told reporters on Capitol Hill Dec. 5 that he would end his monthslong blockade on hundreds of military promotions undertaken in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy.
Sacraments, strategy help Catholics stay sober amid holidays, say experts
The Christmas season can be challenging for those in addiction recovery, but sacramental grace and practical strategies can keep those seeking sobriety on track, pastoral experts told OSV News.
FBI director spars with GOP Senators about memo on ‘radical traditionalist Catholics’
FBI Director Christopher Wray sparred with Republicans during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Dec. 5 about a leaked and withdrawn memo from the bureau’s Richmond, Virginia, field office about political extremism in some Catholic groups.
Africa’s need for ‘loss, damage’ funds to combat climate change effects called urgent
The victims are urging world leaders to immediately disburse loss and damage funds while they meet at the U.N. Climate Change Conference, or COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.
‘Do not forget’ Sahel humanitarian crisis, warns Ivory Coast bishop on U.S. visit
This December, when Catholic villagers in northern Ivory Coast are preparing for Christmas, many will be organizing Advent food and supplies for the nearly 42,000 refugees who have fled into their country from the Sahel, said the head of the Commission of Integral Human Development for the bishops of Ivory Coast.