Taiwan’s Cardinal Paul Shan will make a historic visit to China, the first contact between Catholics on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in 60 years.

The country now stands on the brink of achieving the “dream” of a democratic system, the patriarch of Alexandria said.

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley reportedly will tell the pope that the church in Ireland is “on the edge” of collapse because of the abuse scandals.

The federal budget crunch should not be eased by cutting programs that help the poor, refugees and the unemployed, warned church leaders.

John Sweeney, former president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., was honored along with a Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony on Feb. 15.

Representatives of Catholic organizations said that massive foreign investment in Africa is pushing small farmers off their land.