Global Church News

Dialogue with the Islamic State? Not likely, says Cardinal Parolin

Oct 30, 2015

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said that while interreligious dialogue is important, it’s not likely possible with fundamentalist groups because they aren’t interested in building the necessary relationships.
Cologne gang on trial for burglaries to fund Islamist fighters

Oct 29, 2015

A group of eight men has gone on trial in the western German city of Cologne. They allegedly burgled churches and schools over a period of four years to finance Islamist fighters in Syria.
Pope calls for prayers and aid after earthquake hits Pakistan and Afghanistan

Oct 29, 2015

As the death toll from an earthquake in Pakistan and Afghanistan continued to rise, Pope Francis called for prayers and practical help for survivors.
Fears mount in Vietnam as religion law nears debate

Oct 29, 2015

With Vietnam's parliament set to debate a controversial new law on religion in the coming weeks, spiritual leaders in Ho Chi Minh City are anxious the law will undermine religious growth and be used to justify harsh crackdowns.
Philippine president says his faith is stronger since papal visit

Oct 29, 2015

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said his Catholic faith is stronger and remains so, nine months after Pope Francis visited his country.
Seven killed in Muslim-Christian violence in Central African Republic

Oct 29, 2015

At least seven people have been killed in attacks perpetrated by Muslim and Christian factions in the Central African Republic, according to reports.
A tour of Saint John Paul II's Poland

Oct 29, 2015

St. John Paul II had just celebrated the closing Mass of his historic trip to his home country of Poland in 1979 when he turned to survey the crowd of more than a million Poles.
Princeton love and marriage event expects record-breaking attendance

Oct 29, 2015

College students from across the country will gather in record-breaking numbers to attend a high-powered conference on love, marriage and fidelity this weekend – and a free webcast means anyone can follow along.
Advocates chide US – stop ignoring religiously-motivated violence

Oct 29, 2015

The U.S. must recognize all causes of religious freedom abuses around the world – including religious motivations where they exist, experts told members of Congress Tuesday.
New cases of persecution of Christian women in Pakistan’s Punjab

Oct 28, 2015

n Pakistan’s Punjab province, a Christian woman suffers gang rape, while another was set on fire and nearly burned to death after she refused to marry her former boyfriend.