Churches aid refugees of Indonesian volcano eruption

Jul 20, 2011 - 10:24 am .- Christian churches have moved quickly to help the more than 5,000 people who have fled the volcanic eruption of Mount Lokon on the northern Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The desperate plight of Catholics in Vietnam – one priest’s story

Jul 15, 2011 - 05:53 am .- “If I return now, they will throw me in jail and kill me.” These are the frank words that mark an encounter with Father Peter Nguyen Khai, a 41-year-old Vietnamese priest living in Rome.

Vatican congregation: Chinese bishops 'presumed' to be excommunicated

Jul 14, 2011 - 08:00 pm .- The Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples says that a group of Chinese bishops are “presumed” to be excommunicated for participating in last month's illicit ordination, until they can provide any justification for a lesser penalty.

Vatican: Latest illicit Chinese ordination 'very negative for the unity of the Church'

Jul 14, 2011 - 11:54 am .- The Vatican has responded with dismay to the news that China has ordained another Catholic bishop without papal approval.

Date set for illicit bishop ordination in China

Jul 9, 2011 - 11:40 am .- Another Chinese episcopal ordination without the approval of Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to take place within the next week, further straining relations between the Holy See and China’s government.

Chinese bishops face excommunication for unapproved ordination

Jul 6, 2011 - 05:45 pm .- The head of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and other bishops previously in communion with the Pope are facing excommunication for ordaining a bishop without Vatican approval.

New efforts challenge Kyrgyzstan's bride kidnapping epidemic

Jun 29, 2011 - 06:13 am .- A top human rights advocate hopes that new efforts will end Kyrgyzstan's widespread and violent practice of  “ala-kachuu” or bride kidnapping.

Chinese authorities intervene in Vatican-approved bishop ordination

Jun 28, 2011 - 01:37 am .- The ordination of a Vatican-approved Chinese bishop has been postponed because of government pressure, while a government-backed illicit ordination of another man who lacks the Pope’s approval will go ahead.

Expert: China's plan to ordain bishops without Pope's approval shows disrespect

Jun 24, 2011 - 03:07 am .- The state-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association sparked intense controversy on June 23 by announcing its intent to ordain up to 40 bishops without the approval of the Pope.

Battered Christchurch cathedral damaged by new earthquakes

Jun 17, 2011 - 01:24 am .- The already damaged cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand was hit again by new wave of earthquakes that struck the country this week.

Caritas launches new program for Japan quake victims

Jun 10, 2011 - 01:46 am .- Almost three months after the devastating earthquake in Japan, the Catholic relief agency Caritas has launched a new emergency program to provide disaster survivors food, counseling and help in finding employment.

China ‘postpones’ ordination of bishop lacking Vatican approval

Jun 7, 2011 - 12:35 pm .- The proposed ordination of a Chinese bishop without Vatican approval has been postponed at the last minute. The decision comes only two days before the ordination was scheduled to take place.

Pakistani Christians shocked by proposed Bible ban

Jun 7, 2011 - 01:25 am .- A Catholic bishop in Pakistan is expressing concern about an Islamic group's petition to ban the Bible. The extremist group says the Christian scriptures contain “blasphemy” and “pornography.”

Day of prayer for Church in China met with restrictions

May 24, 2011 - 05:34 pm .- Prayers are being said around the globe today for the Church in China, but the Chinese government is reacting by restricting access to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan and canceling the celebration of Mass.

Church paper: sacked Australian bishop ‘had to go’

May 20, 2011 - 03:24 am .- The dismissed Bishop William Morris effectively promoted heresy and had to choose between following his way or the way of the Catholic Church, an editorial in the Perth archdiocesan newspaper said.

Japan works toward positive future with help of Catholic aid

May 19, 2011 - 06:02 pm .- In the wake of a disastrous earthquake and tsunami, Japan has encountered help from Catholic charities who are working around the clock to assist in rebuilding efforts across the country. 

Boxer Manny Pacquiao joins Catholic opposition to reproductive health bill

May 19, 2011 - 05:57 am .- Champion boxer Manny Pacquiao has sided with the Philippines’ Catholic bishops in a continuing controversy over a reproductive health bill that would fund access to free contraceptives.

Backing bishop’s sacking, Australian bishops cite doctrine and discipline issues

May 13, 2011 - 09:38 am .- Australia’s bishops say they back Pope Benedict’s decision to remove renegade Bishop William Morris from his post in Toowoomba, in the Brisbane region of the country.

Filipino bishops cut off talks with government over reproductive health bill

May 12, 2011 - 04:04 pm .- Bishops in the Philippines are halting dialogue with the local government as the country's president voices increasing support for a highly controversial Reproductive Health Bill.

In Toowoomba, legacy of 'Bishop Bill' is confusion and one new priest in 18 years

May 11, 2011 - 11:38 am .- Norm and Mavis Power moved to the Toowoomba back in 1959, not long after getting married. The attractions of the Queensland city were obvious for a young couple hoping for a family – good schools, a pleasant climate and so many green spaces and parks it’s known across Australia as “the Garden City.” But that wasn’t all.