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War on Terrorism Unjustifiable, Say Some Catholic LeadersThe current war on terrorism is unjustifiable, says a group of leaders from Catholic institutions and religious congregations. Using the criteria laid down in the Catholic just war theory, they say, “the strong moral requirement of immun

Pope Says Peace Must Include Justice as Well as ForgivenessIn his strongest statement since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, Pope John Paul II said countries had a right to defend themselves against international terrorists. But he said true peace could not be achieved without justice and that for

Doctrinal Congregation Takes Over Priestly Pedophilia CasesUsing a new set of norms, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has taken juridical control over cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests, classifying it as one of several graver offenses against church law. The move represents a

Outcry on Cloning and Prenatal SelectionThe Vatican condemned the cloning of human embryos by U.S. scientists, rejecting claims that the research produced simple cells and not human individuals. Despite the scientists’ stated humanitarian aims, the research represents a new form of discriminat

Trappists in South Carolina Open New Library to the Ecumenical CommunityOn Sunday, Nov. 11, the Trappist community at Mepkin Abbey, outside Charleston, S.C., dedicated the new Clare Boothe Luce Library. Located near the burial site of the Congresswoman, ambassador, journalist and playwright, the $3

Vatican Says It Is Time to End Nuclear Weapons Tests The Vatican nuncio to the United Nations said on Nov. 11 that the time has come for the world to end all nuclear weapons testing. Archbishop Renato R. Martino made his statement in support of efforts to secure approval of the Comprehensive Nuclear

Nuncio Urges Pro-Poor’ Plan to Close Nations’ Rich-Poor GapThe Vatican nuncio to the United Nations said on Nov. 6 that growing inequalities both between and within states should be countered with promotion of economic growth that was pro-poor. Archbishop Renato R. Martino said, More pro

Synod RoundupCalling the Synod of Bishops that met in October almost a new beginning for the church, Pope John Paul II urged bishops to promote church teaching courageously and work for church unity. During a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the closing of the synod on Oct. 27, the pope praise

Human Rights Lawyer in Mexico Shot DeadA former nun who was one of Mexico’s leading human rights lawyers was shot dead in Mexico City on Oct. 19 in what authorities were calling a politically motivated killing. Digna Ochoa Placido, head of the legal defense department at Jesuit-run Miguel Augu

Top Vatican Diplomat Says U.S. Military Response JustifiedNearly a week into a U.S. bombing campaign in Afghanistan, a top Vatican diplomat said America’s military response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was justified but must avoid taking civilian lives. Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the V