Catholic News Service

Debate continues about whether the Vatican's provisional agreement with China will improve relations between the Chinese state and members of religious groups, which have had a long history of conflict.

Jesus invites people to stop labeling others as being either "friends" or "enemies" or being "with us" or "against us," Pope Francis said.

Caring for the sick, especially those near death, cannot be reduced simply to giving them medicine, but must include providing healing and comfort that gives their lives value and meaning, Pope Francis said.

After the weeks of intense drama focused on Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the nation's highest court was ready to get back to business, full bench or not.

The Synod of Bishops will meet in October to discuss teenagers and young adults in the Catholic Church and find ways to encourage their enthusiasm and dreams, help them sift through the possibilities to serve others and resist temptations.

The investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of adults by Bishop Michael Bransfield, former bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, is being led by a five-member team of laity.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the former nuncio to the United States who accused Pope Francis and church officials of failing to act on accusations of sexual abuse, urged a top Vatican official to release documents that would prove his allegations.

The Catholic Church must reach out to couples living together without being married, Pope Francis told those involved in family ministry in the Diocese of Rome.

A former assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Washington was arrested Sept. 26 after federal law enforcement officials charged him with mail fraud in a scheme to embezzle money from the archdiocese.

Catholics in Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong are divided over the provisional agreement between China and the Vatican on the appointment of bishops.

Some attended the rally with hard hats on as others spoke about how an immigration program in peril helped them over the years pour millions into the U.S. economy, and also contributed to their role in physically rebuilding the country's iconic structures and cities after disasters.

The sexual abuse crisis is like a fire that should be left to burn to purify the church, said the president of the Canadian bishops' conference.

Whether the call is from someone who is angry, embarrassed, unsure of what to do or needs a friendly ear, diocesan and eparchial victim assistance coordinators are the face of the church's response to victims of sexual abuse by a church worker.

The head of the German bishops conference formally apologized for sexual abuse in the church, saying it "has been denied, turned away from and covered up for far too long."

During times of freedom or persecution, the Gospel is needed to bring meaning, fullness and hope to life, Pope Francis said.

A past president of the University of Portland, Holy Cross Br. Raphael Wilson, is listed in the recently released grand jury report investigating the widespread alleged sexual abuse of children within six Pennsylvania dioceses.

The bishops of Pennsylvania's eight Roman Catholic dioceses are supporting creation of an independent fund to compensate survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori informed clergy Sept. 24 that the archdiocese has been in discussions with Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh about an investigation of records related to the sexual abuse of children.

Washington -- The current president of the Jesuit high school Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh attended in suburban Washington emphasized the schools' mission to form "men for others" and reflected on the need to evaluate the school's culture in light of that value.

The crisis the Catholic Church is facing is not "a crisis of faith" or "mainly about a crisis of sexual abuse by clergy," but is "a crisis of leadership," Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said in a Sept. 18 homily.