International

Italian court blocks referendum on euthanasia

By Michael Otto | February 17, 2022 | 0 Comments

ROME (CNS) – Italy’s Constitutional Court has blocked a national referendum on legalising euthanasia, saying it would violate constitutional protections of human life. The court, which ruled in 2019 against punishing a physician for assisting with the death of a terminally ill patient experiencing intolerable suffering, had urged the Italian … Read More about Italian court blocks referendum on euthanasia

Pope amends canons to give greater authority to bishops, conferences

By OSV News | February 16, 2022 | 0 Comments

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Saying he wanted to promote a “healthy decentralisation” of some aspects of Church life, Pope Francis made several changes to Church law, granting greater authority to individual bishops, bishops’ conferences and synods of bishops of the Eastern Catholic churches. The changes, the Pope said, should “foster … Read More about Pope amends canons to give greater authority to bishops, conferences

Myanmar cardinal appeals to Mary to protect his country

By OSV News | February 15, 2022 | 0 Comments

YANGON, Myanmar (CNS) – Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon has sought the intercession of Mary for protection, healing and mercy for conflict-torn Myanmar, which has been in turmoil since the February 2021 military coup. “Our Lady becomes the mother of all people, of all races and all religions. The whole … Read More about Myanmar cardinal appeals to Mary to protect his country

Retired Pope asks forgiveness in response to Munich abuse report

By OSV News | February 9, 2022 | 0 Comments

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – At the age of 94, retired Pope Benedict XVI has said that he knows he will soon stand before God’s judgement, and he prayed that he would be forgiven for his shortcomings, including in handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse. “Even though, as I look back … Read More about Retired Pope asks forgiveness in response to Munich abuse report

Australian Mercy sister who had gold records for Our Father recording dies

By OSV News | February 2, 2022 | 1 Comment

ADELAIDE, Australia (CNS) – Mercy Sister Janet Mead, who earned gold records for her 1974 hit version of the Our Father, died on January 26 in her native Adelaide. She was 84 and had been battling cancer. In 1974, “The Lord’s Prayer”, set to an up-tempo rock beat, scaled up the charts, … Read More about Australian Mercy sister who had gold records for Our Father recording dies

Vatican editorial defends Benedict XVI after release of abuse report

By OSV News | January 28, 2022 | 2 Comments

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A Vatican editorial defended retired Pope Benedict XVI’s record in fighting clerical sexual abuse after the release of a report that accused him of mishandling four cases during his time as archbishop of Munich. Andrea Tornielli, editorial director for the Dicastery for Communication, said a report … Read More about Vatican editorial defends Benedict XVI after release of abuse report