Jonathan Luxmoore writes for OSV News from Oxford, England.
Catholic clergy from Egypt have warned that ties with Orthodox and Islamic leaders are being derailed by a Vatican decision to allow the blessing of same-sex couples, after the country's influential Coptic Orthodox Church suspended dialogue over the issue.
"The pope and Vatican
Catholic bishops in Slovakia have apologized to victims after publishing their first report on sexual abuse, while cautioning that much more must be done to tackle the problem in the local church. "We are aware the number of victims is certainly much
Prominent Hungarian Catholics have defended their church's record on tackling sexual crimes by clergy after a top-level government abuse scandal led to the appointment of a new national president of the country.
"This sin exists here, as everywhere in the world -- we
Thousands of mourners gathered in nearby streets, despite tight police cordons, chanting Navalny's name and slogans against President Vladimir Putin, while the dissident's small entourage headed for his grave at Borisovsky Cemetery in Moscow. Media reported dozens of mourners had been arrested
Greece's minority Catholic Church has deplored a parliamentary vote to allow same-sex marriage and child adoption, the first in a predominantly Orthodox country.
"Our reaction is clear -- the church doesn't accept same-sex marriage, and we're surprised the government pressed ahead so quicky
In an OSV News interview, a senior Russian said fellow Catholics in Russia had long feared Navalny's end was being "brought closer" by his harsh detention conditions, which included 27 punitive spells in solitary confinement over three years.
She added that some church
"We face a struggle -- what they're planning is deeply worrying," said Ewa Kowalewska, vice president of the Polish Federation of Pro-Life Movements.
"Despite efforts to persuade young women it's something positive and good, easy-access abortion has long been opposed here. But the
Priests and lay Catholics from Belarus said they still hope their church's situation will improve, despite the continued arrests of clergy and new religious restrictions that are imminent.
"Priests are being targeted on various pretexts, and many Catholics feel pressured and harassed," explained
The age-old curse of leprosy can be finally wiped out if church leaders join others worldwide in a greater commitment against it, according to a veteran Polish Catholic doctor and missionary.
"Here in India, there've been fewer cases recently and a reduced social
Poland's bishops have pledged dialogue with their country's new liberal government, but leading Catholics warned that government plans for rapid secularizing change could spark conflict as the ruling coalition plans to limit religious classes in public schools and abolish the state Church