“The orders appear to enable Israel to detain, prosecute, imprison and/or deport any and all persons present in the West Bank,” said Richard Falk of the U.N.

Rio de Janeiro’s towering Christ the Redeemer statue, undergoing restoration, was spray-painted with graffiti by vandals.

Mexican priests have been transferred to other parishes or even moved to other parts of the country because of threats.

According to a new report, in the Gulf South the number of unemployed persons has more than doubled.

San Antonio’s Archbishop José H. Gómez will become head of the archdiocese upon Cardinal Roger M. Mahony’s retirement.

Only 12 percent of Americans surveyed said the pope has done an excellent or good job in handling the abuse scandal.