The rapid victory of the Sunni opposition fighters over regular army units loyal to Mr. al-Assad has left many wondering how Syria’s minority faith groups—Alawites, Christians, Shiites and others—will fare as H.T.S. consolidates its control.
International
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Catholic institutions in Africa seek alternative funding as support from former missionaries fades
Catholic institutions in Zimbabwe and other African states once could rely on support from retired missionaries. Now the decline in missionary numbers has left African religious communities facing a financial crunch.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: How Donald Trump’s presidency is being viewed by the Vatican
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Ricardo speaks with Gerry about Pope Francis’ criticism of U.S. mass deportations and Cuba’s Vatican-backed plan to release 533 political prisoners.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
In El Salvador, Catholic bishops and President Bukele are at odds over mining
The Catholic Church in El Salvador finds its voice in opposition to lifting of prohibition on mining.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis dissolves Peru-based Catholic movement after abuses uncovered by Vatican
In their investigation into the Catholic movement Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, Vatican officials uncovered “sadistic” sect-like abuses of power, authority and spirituality.
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
As cease-fire wobbles, new study finds Gaza death toll likely much higher than believed
A new report published in the U.K. medical journal The Lancet indicates that far from exaggerating the human suffering in Gaza, the ministry has likely underestimated the true number of the dead by as much as 41 percent.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: Vatican approves new guidelines for gay seminarians in Italy
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Colleen and Gerry discuss new Vatican guidelines allowing gay men to enter seminaries if they commit to celibacy, as expected of all seminarians regardless of sexual orientation
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
Debt relief advocates make their case to Joe Biden before he leaves the White House
More than 60 Catholic institutions, congregations and individuals have signed a letter imploring Mr. Biden to endorse a new round of assistance to the world’s most indebted nations from the International Monetary Fund.
Posted inFaith, News
St. Peter’s Holy Door sees more than half million pilgrims in two weeks
“This is a very significant beginning,” Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the chief Vatican organizer of the Jubilee Year, said in a statement.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
The top 5 international Catholic stories you read in 2024 (and some we wish you had)
Top reports from America’s “Dispatches” department include looks at conflict, migration and geopolitics through a Catholic filter.