The Catholic theologian Miguel Díaz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 4 as the ninth U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
Signs Of the Times
The State’s Duty to Protect: Enforcement in Question
Can mass violence in Darfur, Congo and Somalia be stopped? A report from the United Nations General Assembly.
Catholic Leaders Denounce Distortions
Sister Carol Keehan decried reports that Catholic health care leaders are “working at cross-purposes” with the U.S. bishops on the abortion issue.
Topics Identified for Apostolic Visitation
Topics to be addressed inclue governance; vocation promotion, admission and formation policies; and spiritual life and common life.
Pope Deplores Killings in Pakistan
Pope Benedict has urged the minority Christian community not to be deterred by the attack on Christian homes.
News Briefs
The Mexican Catholic bishops’ conference has criticized federal police for bursting into a Mass in the state of Michoaca.
ICE to Revamp Immigrant Detention Amid Complaints
Immigration and Customs Enforcement will no longer detain families at a much-criticized former medium-security prison in Texas.
Mexican Government Apologizes to Church
A statement from the Secretariat of Public Security apologized for a police raid that interrupted a Mass in Michoaca.
Priest urges Zambian Official to Resign
A Zambian priest said the nation’s information minister should resign for accusing the Catholic Church of complicity in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Orissa Christians Fearful as Anniversary Nears
A Catholic archbishop said only a few people accused in last year’s violence against Christians have been arrested.
