Christianity
Pope Benedict XVI condemns child abuse as 'heinous crime'
The sexual abuse of children is not just a "heinous crime" but a "grave sin" that offends God and wounds human dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday after a two-day meeting with Irish Catholic bishops at the Vatican.
Vatican to Irish bishops: admit blame
ROME — A top Vatican prelate told Irish bishops at an extraordinary Vatican summit with Pope Benedict XVI Monday they must admit their own blame in cover-ups of generations of sex abuse of minors, or risk losing the faith of Ireland's Catholics.
Pope's peace message focuses on environment
Vatican City (CNN) -- Pope Benedict XVI championed the environment in the Vatican's annual World Day of Peace message. In his address, called "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation," the pope said peace with the natural environment is t...
Pope knocked to the floor at Christmas Eve Mass [Video]
Pope Benedict XVI tumbled to the marble floor of St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday night after a woman tackled him on his way to preside over Christmas Eve Mass.
Vatican Defends Status of WWII Pope
ROME — In an effort to calm growing tensions with Jewish groups, the Vatican said Wednesday that Pope Benedict XVI’s decision moving the wartime pope Pius XII closer to sainthood was not a “hostile act” against those who believe Pius did not do en...
Pope says visit to Holocaust memorial 'upsetting'
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI on Monday described a visit to Israel's Holocaust memorial as a disturbing encounter with hatred, days after his decision to move the controversial World War II-era pope closer to sainthood angered Jewish groups.
Australian nun may become nation's first saint
SYDNEY — An Australian nun who died 100 years ago looks set to become the nation's first saint, after the Pope recognised a miracle in which she apparently cured a woman of cancer, officials said Sunday.
Russian Cathedral built in Pattaya
The building of Russian Orthodox Cathedral of All Saints in the city of Pattaya (Thailand) is finished.
Serbian Orthodox patriarch dies
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle, has died in Belgrade, the Church has announced. The patriarch, 95, became leader of the Church in 1990. He was admitted to the city's military hospital two years ago.
Pope seeks more freedom for Catholics in Iran
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI urged Iranian authorities on Thursday to let Catholics have the priests and churches they need to freely practice their faith in the country.
Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic church
The Vatican said Tuesday it has worked out a way for groups of Anglicans who are dissatisfied with their faith to join the Catholic Church.
U.S. Catholic Diocese files for Chapter 11
Delaware's Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Inc filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court documents showed on Sunday, in the face of more than 140 claims filed by people who said they were victims of sexual abuse by the diocese's priests.
Pope Ends Czech Visit With Appeal to Youth
Pope Benedict has wrapped up a three-day visit to the Czech Republic where he used an outdoor mass to urge young people to remain faithful to Christianity, despite the hardship that can bring.
Pope says fall of communism proved man needs God
STARA BOLESLAV, Czech Republic (Reuters) - Pope Benedict, ending a trip to this highly secular nation, said on Monday the fall of communists who tried to erase religion was proof that God cannot be excluded from public life.
Pope visits Czech Republic with many nonbelievers
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI is going to the heart of central Europe 20 years after the fall of communism ended restrictions on religion. But what he will find is a Czech Republic where nearly half the population professes to be nonbelievers.
US pastor prays for Obama's death in 'spiritual warfare'
A pastor has caused outrage among church goers in Phoenix, Arizona after praying for the death of the African-American US President Barack Obama.
Update of popular 'NIV' Bible due in 2011
The scholars and publishers behind the world's leading English language evangelical Bible announced Tuesday that they would publish a updated translation in 2011.
American Lutherans to allow sexually active gays as clergy
MINNEAPOLIS — The nation's largest Lutheran denomination took openly gay clergy more fully into its fold Friday, as leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to lift a ban that prohibited sexually active gays and lesbians from se...
Lutherans vote today on actively gay clergy
Following the Methodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians into one of the thorniest social debates of contemporary Protestantism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is to decide today whether to allow sexually active gays and lesbians to ...
Lutherans debate dropping celibacy requirement for gay clergy
The nation's largest Lutheran denomination opened debate Monday over a proposal to allow noncelibate gays and lesbians to serve in the clergy.