Suicide bombers hit predominantly Christian Lebanese village near border
IMAGE: REUTERS By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — Suicide bombers attacked a predominantly Christian village in northeast Lebanon twice in one day, and residents called on the government to support them, saying Islamic State fighters were holed up on the outskirts of town. Two separate sets of four suicide …
Brexit vote concerns European church leaders that unity may be fractured
IMAGE: CNS photo/Toby Melville, Reuters By Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) — European Catholic leaders expressed concern that the decision by United Kingdom voters to leave the European Union threatened unity across the continent, but they also cautioned the EU bloc to rethink its values and priorities. The concerns arose …
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down regulations on Texas abortion clinics
IMAGE: CNS photo/Michael Reynolds, EPA By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a 5-3 vote June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down restrictions on Texas abortion clinics that required them to comply with standards of ambulatory surgical centers and required their doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals. …
Flooding devastates West Virginia; Alderson House needs help
WHEELING, W.Va. — Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston asked for prayers for those affected by the devastating floods in West Virginia that have left 26 people dead, including a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old. As of June 27, almost 500,000 were without power and 44 counties were under a state …
Transcript: What did Pope Francis say about the church and apologizing?
During his flight from Armenia to Rome on Sunday, Pope Francis gave a press conference to the assembled journalists aboard the papal plane. He reflected on his three-day trip to Armenia, his upcoming trips to Azerbaijan and Poland, the role of the Pope emeritus, Christian unity, and the reformation. He …
SCOTUS strikes down Texas abortion regulations, Ohio likely affected
In a 5-3 vote June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down restrictions on Texas abortion clinics that required them to comply with standards of ambulatory surgical centers and required their doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals. Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati pointed out in a press …
Christians should apologize for helping to marginalize gays, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ARMENIA (CNS) — Catholics and other Christians not only must apologize to the gay community, they must ask forgiveness of God for ways they have discriminated against homosexual persons or fostered hostility toward them, Pope Francis said. “I think …
Shared faith should lead to joint action, pope and patriarch say
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden YEREVAN, Armenia (CNS) — Applying the common faith they professed publicly earlier in the day, Pope Francis and Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II urged common action on behalf of persecuted Christians, welcome for refugees and defense of the family. The pope and the Oriental …
Brotherly embrace: Pope, Armenian leader highlight Christian unity
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VAGHARSHAPAT, Armenia (CNS) — Recognizing that the church of Christ is one and that Christian divisions are a “scandal” to the world, Pope Francis and Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II offered their faithful the example of praying and working together. Approaching the end of …
Be known for your love, pope tells people of Armenia
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden GYUMRI, Armenia (CNS) — Acts of love and kindness must be a Christian’s “calling card,” the characteristic that identifies them more than anything, Pope Francis told Catholics in northern Armenia. Traveling June 25 to Gyumri, a city with a significant Catholic population and one …