News/International
Pope Francis condemns attack on Gaza parish killing 2 Christian women
By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV NewsFollowing the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem's denouncement of a series of attacks on Christians in Gaza by Israeli forces Dec. 16, including the killing of a mother and daughter at a Catholic parish, Pope Francis and numerous bishops across the globe also condemned the attack, calling for peace.
Guide makes Fatima personal
By Susan KorahA pilgrimage is a source of spiritual enrichment, and the dream of a lifetime for many Catholics. And Andreia Lopo, 47, takes “pure delight,” as she says, in helping to make that dream come true.
Pope Francis downplays Argentine president's comments as Javier Milei assumes office
By David Agren, OSV NewsPope Francis has downplayed the discourteous comments toward him from Argentine President Javier Milei -- who previously accused the pope of preaching "communism" -- attributing the remarks to electioneering in his home country.
Ireland plans to dramatically cut welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees
By Michael Kelly, OSV NewsPlans to dramatically cut welfare benefits for refugees from Ukraine who flee to Ireland to avoid Russia's war are causing anxiety, according to a priest who works with the new arrivals. Officials in Dublin say that they want to "slow" the number of people arriving from Ukraine.
Ukraine's war-torn Christians look ahead to first Christmas shared with West
By Jonathan Luxmoore, OSV NewsWhen Ukraine's embattled citizens gather this Christmas, their rich festivities will feel symbolically different -- as the festival is celebrated for the first time on Dec. 25, in line with the Western calendar.
Nebraska priest dies after attack during apparent rectory break-in
By Gina Christian, OSV NewsA Nebraska priest has died after being attacked in the rectory of his parish in the early morning before he was to celebrate Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent.
Church fights Uganda’s child marriage ‘plague’
By Tonny Onyulo, OSV NewsLala Mbabazi, who is three months pregnant, sat on a sofa in her one-bedroom mud house on the outskirts of Soroti, a town in eastern Uganda.
Senate Republicans block Ukraine-Israel emergency aid over border, raising Catholic concerns
By Kate Scanlon, OSV NewsSenate Republicans Dec. 6 blocked an emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel while calling for strict new policies at the U.S.-Mexico border opposed by some Catholic immigration advocates.
Russia bans Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Catholic ministries in occupied region of Ukraine
By Gina Christian, OSV NewsRussian occupation authorities have banned the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and other Catholic ministries in occupied areas of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to the church's main communications office in Kyiv.
Bishops seek dialogue as French anti-Semitism rises
By Caroline de Sury, OSV NewsThe Oct. 7 killing of about 1,200 people in Israel by armed Hamas militants represented the biggest killing of Jews since the Holocaust. It also started the war that has killed nearly 16,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run health ministry, followed by massive pro-Palestinian protests around the globe. What it also did was spark unprecedented instances of anti-Semitism.
Hong Kong churches under threat: report
By Susan KorahA report launched Nov. 21 in the Canadian parliament by Benedict Rogers, the British co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, raised several red flags about the insidious but dangerous erosion of religious freedom in Hong Kong.