Apr 06 Watch 7:52 Investigation reveals widespread sexual abuse and cover-ups by Archdiocese of Baltimore By Geoff Bennett, Dorothy Hastings More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. A long-awaited report revealed the horrific scope of abuse and cover-ups spanning some eight decades. Continue watching
Mar 18 Vatican closes embassy in Nicaragua in response to crackdown on Catholic Church By Nicole Winfield, Gabriela Selser, Associated Press The Vatican said Saturday it had closed its embassy in Nicaragua after the country's government proposed suspending diplomatic relations, the latest episode in a yearslong crackdown on the Catholic Church by the administration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Continue reading
Feb 20 WATCH: Authorities hold briefing after arrest of suspect in killing of bishop in California By Olga R. Rodriguez, Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna says a man arrested Monday in the weekend killing of a Catholic auxiliary bishop is the husband of the victim's housekeeper and had done work at his home. Continue reading
Feb 13 Portugal church sex abuse study suggests there may be over 4,000 victims By Barry Hatton, Associated Press A committee looking into historic child sex abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church says 512 alleged victims have come forward, but a report by the expert panel warned that the true number is likely higher than 4,800. Continue reading
Feb 12 Catholic bishop’s 26-year prison sentence in Nicaragua draws concern from Pope By Associated Press Pope Francis on Sunday expressed sadness and worry at the news that Bishop Rolando Álvarez, an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government, had been sentenced to 26 years in prison in the latest move against the Catholic Church and government… Continue reading
Feb 03 Pope urges peace on visit to South Sudan as continued fighting in the country kills 27 By Nicole Winfield, Deng Machol, Associated Press JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — Pope Francis has landed in South Sudan, opening the second and final leg of his African pilgrimage with plans to encourage the young country's stalled peace process. Continue reading
Jan 31 Pope’s Africa trip spotlights conflict, church’s future By Nicole Winfield, Jean-Yves Kamale, Christina Malkia, Associated Press Aid groups are hoping Francis’ trip will shine a spotlight on two of the world’s forgotten conflicts and rekindle international attention on some of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises. Continue reading
Jan 25 Watch 5:33 Pope Francis says laws that criminalize homosexuality are ‘unjust’ By Geoff Bennett, Karina Cuevas Pope Francis, in a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, spoke at length about his health, his critics and the future of the papacy. Most notably, he called laws criminalizing homosexuality fundamentally unjust and said being homosexual is not a… Continue watching
Jan 25 Pope Francis says homosexuality is a sin but not a crime By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as "unjust," saying God loves all his children just as they are. Continue reading
Jan 05 Watch 6:14 The controversial legacy Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI leaves behind By Nick Schifrin, Teresa Cebrian Aranda Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was celebrated Thursday at a funeral mass in St. Peter's Square with his successor, Pope Francis, presiding. Though retired nearly a decade, Benedict was a leading light for conservatives in the church. Others look at his… Continue watching