
Vatican court: Butler's theft harmed pope, church
The Vatican tribunal that convicted the pope's ex-butler of stealing private papal correspondence sharply condemned the theft on Tuesday as causing ...
3 Catholic priests kidnapped in eastern Congo
Congolese civic leaders say that three Roman Catholic priests were kidnapped in eastern Congo. The three priests were taken captive from their ...

Pope names 7 new saints, seeks to revive faith
Some 80,000 pilgrims in flowered lei, feathered headdresses and other traditional garb flooded St. Peter's Square on Sunday as Pope Benedict XVI added ...

Floods in France prompt evacuations in shrine town
Pilgrims trek by the millions each year to the Roman Catholic shrine in Lourdes, many looking to drink its spring waters reputed for their healing ...

Boy's miracle cure makes Native American saint
Jake Finkbonner was so close to death after flesh-eating bacteria infected him through a cut on his lip that his parents had last rites performed and ...

A night of humor _ after day of campaign criticism
President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney poked gentle but sharp fun at one another Thursday night during an esteemed New York ...

Protests as Ireland's 1st abortion clinic opens
The first abortion clinic on the island of Ireland opened Thursday in downtown Belfast, unleashing angry protests on the street and uniting Catholic ...
Belfast judge: Gay, unmarried couples can adopt
Unmarried and same-sex couples in Northern Ireland should be allowed to adopt children, a Belfast judge ruled Thursday, rejecting a 1987 adoption law ...

Turkish pianist on trial for insulting Islam
A top Turkish pianist and composer appeared in court on Thursday to defend himself against charges of offending Muslims and insulting Islam in ...
Lawsuit claims evangelical church hid abuse claims
Three female plaintiffs claim an evangelical church group covered up allegations of sexual abuse against children, failed to report accusations to the ...

At 0-32, gay-marriage forces seek 1st win at polls
Irene Huskens has the wedding venue picked out: a charming bed-and-breakfast in southern Maryland. But the wedding is no sure thing. The plans made ...
In Pakistan, Christian teen accused of blasphemy
Pakistani police have opened a blasphemy case against a teenage Christian boy accused of sending derogatory text messages about Islam's prophet to ...

Cyprus president seeks union backing on austerity
Cyprus' president appealed to trade unions on Friday to rally behind tough austerity measures that the government wants to negotiate with potential ...

Mitt Romney meets with Rev. Billy Graham
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney met Thursday with Rev. Billy Graham, and the aging evangelist pledged to do "all I can" to help the GOP ...
Belfast to open Ireland's 1st abortion clinic
A family planning charity plans to open the first abortion clinic in Ireland, challenging decades of legal confusion over the extremely limited access ...
Senegal: Graves desecrated in Christian cemeteries
Roman Catholic church officials say nearly 160 graves have been desecrated in the two largest Christian cemeteries in Senegal's capital. The Rev.

Superior of troubled Legion of Christ steps aside
The superior general of the troubled Legion of Christ religious order has stepped aside unexpectedly, saying he simply doesn't have the energy to ...

Russian judges defend ruling in Pussy Riot trial
The Russian judges who ruled to keep two of the three Pussy Riot band members behind bars took the unusual step of publicly defending their decision, ...

Pope marks 50th anniversary of Vatican II
Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council — the church meetings he attended as a young priest that ...

Lawsuit involving pedophile pediatrician settled
Attorneys for the state medical society and a southern Delaware hospital have settled a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of victims of former ...

Moscow court frees 1 of 3 Pussy Riot members
One jailed member of the punk band Pussy Riot unexpectedly walked free from a Moscow courtroom, but the other two now head toward a harsh punishment ...

Islam's inroads in land of Voodoo and Christianity
School teacher Darlene Derosier lost her home in the 2010 earthquake that devastated her country. Her husband died a month later after suffering what ...

Motel workers discuss church bomb plot arrest
A bright green duffel bag caught maintenance worker Ralph Smith's eye as he emptied trash in a bin at motel just off a major interstate in northeast ...
Pope hopes latest book brings people to Jesus
Pope Benedict XVI says he hopes his latest book on Jesus — about his infancy — will help bring people closer to Christ. "Jesus' Infancy" is due in ...

Mormonism, voter enthusiasm concern evangelicals
Evangelical leaders worried that Mitt Romney's Mormonism could suppress conservative turnout on Election Day are intensifying appeals for Christians ...