Religious leaders in the Central African Republic have predicted that the pope’s upcoming visit could reconcile opposing factions, three years after a Muslim-led rebellion plunged the country into civil war. “This will be a key event for all Central Africans, whatever their religious aff

The president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said on Oct. 13 that the organization’s clinics will no longer accept reimbursement for fetal tissue procured in abortions and provided to researchers. Cecile Richards said the decision was made “to completely debunk” a

Pope Francis joined Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner and Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus, in a visit to a new homeless shelter for men in Rome on Oct. 15. • In 2014, a recent high of 1,400 cases of blasphemy were registered in Pakistan, while its cou

This violence goes against Jerusalem’s vocation as a holy city, which should be open to all people of faith, he said. “We are shocked at what is happening,” Bishop Shomali said in mid-October, after two weeks of unrest. “Violence does not help. We do not accept violence by an

Greece is bracing for thousands more Syrians and other people to land on Lesbos and other key island crossings from Turkey, as those fleeing conflict remain undeterred by the worsening weather and colder autumn temperatures. “The waves were rolling fiercely with the salt water nearly choking u

During a press briefing after the report’s release on Oct. 14, Secretary of State John Kerry said these non-state actors “are now the principal persecutors and preventers of religious tolerance and practice.”“Most prominent, and most harmful, obviously, has been the rise of i

Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone of Charleston, S.C., asked for prayers on Oct. 6 for the families of those killed or left homeless by what officials called a 1,000-year storm which deluged the state. • Church leaders in Lahore, Pakistan, on Oct. 10 demonstrated for the withdrawal of legislation th

Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher of Gatineau, Quebec, said the Synod of Bishops on the family should reflect on the possibility of allowing female deacons as it seeks ways to open up more opportunities for women in church life. Where possible, qualified women should be given higher positions and decis

Pope Francis made a passionate appeal to the international community to find ways to resolve the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Jerusalem and the West Bank of the Jordan, where there is “an escalation of violence” that is bringing destruction and great sufferings to the peoples living there.S

Among the many dynamics at the synod, one could note the difference of perceptions between bishops from different cultures. Some Western prelates seem to be of the view that synod fathers from Africa are impeding progress on questions that are important in their region—for example, the church&