Global Church News

Vietnam's newest bishop sees evangelism's potential

Oct 26, 2015

The newly appointed bishop of Vinh Long, one of two Vietnamese priests to receive appointments in early October, said he plans to use his position to improve evangelical practices in his province.
As synod closes, Pope Francis reminds 'Jesus believes in us more than we believe in ourselves'

Oct 26, 2015

Jesus believes in us more than we believe in ourselves. The Holy Father reminded the faithful of this, this morning as he presided over the closing Mass for the Synod of Bishops on the family.
Walk alongside your people, Pope Francis tells bishops at synod's close

Oct 26, 2015

Pope Francis Sunday officially brought the Synod on the Family to a close at Mass in St. Peter’s, warning against a “spirituality of illusion,” and reminding pastors of their duty to accompany the faithful and be bearers of God’s mercy especially in times of suffering and conflict.
In Myanmar, Salesians celebrate seminary's 25th anniversary

Oct 26, 2015

In the tribal hills of Myanmar’s (Burma's) far northern Shan State, Catholics celebrated an important double anniversary for two Salesian institutions.
Indian church official condemns dalit burning

Oct 26, 2015

A church official in India said the burning to death of two dalit children was the latest in a series of atrocities against the former lower-caste group.
Synod’s final report calls for ‘accompaniment’ tailored to family situations

Oct 26, 2015

Synod fathers approve 94-paragraph report at end of three-week gathering.
The final question facing the synod fathers

Oct 26, 2015

At the end of the synod’s first week, I made a local pilgrimage to the titular church of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Rome, San Giorgio in Velabro, for his October 9 feast day.
Child migrants' home countries have only grown worse, US Congress is reminded

Oct 25, 2015

The number of Central American migrants to the U.S. might be down this year, but their problems at home have grown worse, said Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso before the United States Congress on Wednesday.
Final synod document strongly backs Church teaching, beauty of family life

Oct 25, 2015

With a two-thirds majority vote, the more than 200 bishops gathered for the Vatican's synod on the family upheld Church teaching on hot-button issues such as homosexuality and communion for divorced and remarried persons.
Catholics in Cuba call on government to remove religious restrictions

Oct 24, 2015

Through one of its media outlets, the Havana archdiocese on Thursday called on the Cuban government “to definitively remove the restrictions that weigh down upon all religious institutions, and allow them to freely carry out their work.”