Catholic Church

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MANILA, Philippines | US returns 3 war bells seized from Philippines a century ago

MANILA, Philippines— Three church bells seized by American troops as war trophies more than a century ago were returned to the Philippines on Tuesday in a move long demanded by Filipino leaders, including the current president, who is critical of Washington and has moved closer to China. U.S. defense officials and the American ambassador handed … Continue reading MANILA, Philippines | US returns 3 war bells seized from Philippines a century ago →

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VATICAN CITY  | Pope’s accuser returns to accuse brother in inheritance saga

VATICAN CITY  — The retired Vatican ambassador who convulsed the Holy See with accusations of sex abuse cover-up is offering his side of the story in a different scandal: a family fight over a multi-million dollar € inheritance. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is trying to explain an Italian court ruling requiring him to pay his … Continue reading VATICAN CITY  | Pope’s accuser returns to accuse brother in inheritance saga →

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M | New Mexico archdiocese to file for bankruptcy over sex abuse

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced Thursday it will soon be filing for bankruptcy protection, as the Catholic church in New Mexico has settled numerous claims of sexual abuse by clergy over the years and is close to depleting its reserves. About 20 dioceses and other religious orders around the U.S. have filed … Continue reading ALBUQUERQUE, N.M | New Mexico archdiocese to file for bankruptcy over sex abuse →

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HONOLULU | ACLU objects to Hawaii retirement home assisted suicide ban

HONOLULU — The American Civil Liberties Union demanded Thursday that a Hawaii retirement home stop discriminating against non-Catholic residents and allow them to take advantage of the state’s new medically assisted suicide law if they wish. The ACLU of Hawaii sent a letter to the executive director of the Kahala Nui home after receiving an … Continue reading HONOLULU | ACLU objects to Hawaii retirement home assisted suicide ban →

Entertainment

LONDON  | Sinead O’Connor announces conversion to Islam

LONDON  — Irish singer Sinead O’Connor has announced she has converted to Islam and said she has changed her name to Shuhada’ Davitt. The 51-year-old has been posting selfies of herself wearing hijabs on Twitter in recent days, as well as a video in which she sang the Azan, or call to prayer. She tweeted … Continue reading LONDON  | Sinead O’Connor announces conversion to Islam →

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VATICAN CITY The Latest: New saint gives Salvadorans ‘happiest day’

VATICAN CITY  — The Latest on Catholic Church canonizations on Sunday (all times local). 4:00 p.m. Thousands of people have gathered in El Salvador’s capital to celebrate slain Archbishop Oscar Romero being declared a saint. Church bells pealed in unison throughout the country and large crowds watched on large video screens in front of San … Continue reading VATICAN CITY The Latest: New saint gives Salvadorans ‘happiest day’ →

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VATICAN CITY | Excerpts of Pope Francis’ letter to Cardinal Wuerl

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis sent Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl a warm letter in accepting his resignation, praising what he said was Wuerl’s nobility and sacrifice in stepping down for the greater good of the Catholic Church. Here are excerpts of the letter, in which Francis asks Wuerl to remain on in a temporary position … Continue reading VATICAN CITY | Excerpts of Pope Francis’ letter to Cardinal Wuerl →

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Off limits: Report on state college abuse kept from public

Even as top Pennsylvania officials assail the Catholic Church over its cover-up of clergy sexual abuse, a state agency is refusing to release a report on allegations of sexual abuse by a high-ranking state university administrator despite lingering questions about how the accusers’ complaints were handled. In a case that bears some broad similarities to … Continue reading Off limits: Report on state college abuse kept from public →