Rainfall in late October helped disperse the choking haze overhanging several regions of Indonesia severely affected by forest and peat fires. But much more rain is needed to help put out the massive fires, Luhut Panjaitan, coordinating minister of Politics, Law and Security, told reporters. “

Pope Francis had strong words on Oct. 30 for Catholic priests and bishops who “defamed” the assassinated archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Romero. Going off script during a meeting with 500 pilgrims from El Salvador, Pope Francis said, “The martyrdom of Archbishop Romero was not fu

Catholic bishops from five continents issued a challenge to U.N. delegates who will meet in Paris in December to discuss the international framework on climate change, calling for “a just and legally binding climate agreement” to emerge from the negotiations. The bishops and cardinals is

Sarah Torre, an analyst for the Heritage Foundation, reported at a discussion in Washington on Oct. 30 that the number of cancer screenings conducted at Planned Parenthood affiliates had declined by half over the last 10 years, while the number of abortions climbed from 250,000 to 327,000. • On

Syriac Catholic bishops, meeting in Lebanon during their annual synod, called for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace in Syria and Iraq. In a statement released at the conclusion of the assembly, the bishops pleaded for an end to the civil war in Syria, now in its fifth year, and urged countries&

Rainfall this week has helped disperse haze in several regions of Indonesia severely affected by forest and peat fires. The Voice of America news service reports that the governor of Riau province in northern Sumatra said Wednesday a 90-minute rainfall cleared much of the smoke and improved visibili

The magnitude-7.5 temblor on Oct. 26 left at least 380 people dead and thousands of homes and buildings badly damaged. The number of dead and injured will likely rise as first-responders reach affected areas. Initial reports indicate significant damage to homes and infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas of Pakistan. The earthquake also cutoff communication in parts of the two countries.

While all eyes are on the continuing drama of Syrian migrants at the borders of Europe, a representative from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was in Washington on Oct. 21 reminding Congress that the United States has a similar humanitarian crisis unfolding at its southern border. “Chil

Mohammad Akhlaq, a Muslim, was murdered on Sept. 28 by a mob of Hindus angered by reports that he had eaten beef, in Dadri, India. The incident “should not be considered a spontaneous act of isolated violence, but planned barbarism by persons who enjoy impunity.” That’s the opinion

Visiting with Syrian refugees near the Macedonian border on Oct. 19, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, president of Caritas Internationalis, wondered why European powers could not make the continuing exodus “easier” on people who “already have escaped horrible, ho