International News

HOUSTON, Texas (CNA) -- The president of the U.S. bishops’ conference has been accused of mishandling an allegation of sexual coercion made against his former vicar general.

WASHINGTON -- On May 28, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing Aug. 22 as the Day to Commemorate Victims of Violence Based on Religion.

WASHINGTON -- For centuries, the Catholic Church has maintained that what a penitent says to a priest in the confessional is strictly confidential, but in 2019 that rite continues to be challenged by governments.

CHICAGO -- Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich June 1 said the Illinois Senate's passage of a bill "eliminating even minimal limitations on abortions under previous law marks a sad moment in our history as a state."

DUBLIN -- In the midst of a bitter gangland feud in the Irish capital, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has moved to ensure that funerals of those killed are not used as overt shows of wealth or perceived influence.

ROME -- The Italian ministry for culture has revoked a license it granted to the Dignitatis Humanae Institute to manage a state-owned historic monument south of Rome, citing irregularities in the bidding process and a breach of contract.

Bishops’ conferences from Francophone West Africa have pledged solidarity with Christian communities after a spate of Islamist attacks and urged governments and religious leaders to do more to counter “unlooked-for menaces, tragedies and catastrophes.”

HANOI, Vietnam -- Police in Vietnam have been accused of abducting a Catholic advocate for social and charitable activities.

BRUSSELS -- Catholic church leaders welcomed the outcome of key European Union elections as endorsing their continent's unity, but also called for stronger dialogue in European politics.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Should an appeals court uphold his conviction for child sexual abuse, Australian Cardinal George Pell appears to have come to terms that his spectacular fall from grace could be complete in upcoming days.