Catholic News Service

The use of "killer robots" and other lethal autonomous weapons systems violate international treaties because innocent civilians could be erroneously targeted, the Vatican said during a U.N. meeting in Geneva.

The Catholic Church's advocacy for debt relief is focused primarily on enabling nations with high foreign debt to provide for their people, but the Vatican COVID-19 Commission also is worried about families staggering under debt burdens. In fact, the commission's economy task force has recommended "extensive debt standstills and reductions for indebted households" and the training and deployment of "debt advisers," including through parishes and Catholic charities, to help households get out of debt. While many families with steady incomes from remote working used the pandemic lockdowns to spend less and pay down their debts, people who lost income or lost their jobs often survived thanks only to food banks, charity, government aid and eviction moratoriums.

The Vatican is investigating about a dozen founders of congregations of consecrated or religious life, and the most common allegations involve abuse of power or conscience, financial corruption or problems associated with "affectivity," said a top official.

The Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services is investigating allegations of abuse at a Texas camp for unaccompanied migrant minors.

One year after an explosion killed 214 people, injured thousands and left 300,000 homeless, those affected are still waiting for answers and justice.

Two rescue boats carrying 800 migrants saved from sinking or overcrowded vessels have been forced to roam the international waters of the Mediterranean for more than four days, waiting for permission to dock at a safe port. After an already grueling and traumatic voyage from northern Africa on unsafe vessels organized by traffickers, the rescued migrants have been stuck on boats operated by nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, which reported food and patience were running out.

Former coal miner said Catholic Church taught him about helping others and the importance of protecting workers' rights and human rights.

Fr. Bryan Massingale, a Black man who is Pax Christi USA's "Teacher of Peace" award recipient for 2021, said white nationalism is "the greatest threat to peace in our time, both nationally and even internationally."

A federal judge Aug. 3 temporarily blocked an order issued by the governor of Texas to halt transportation of migrants by anyone other than local or federal authorities following an incident involving a Catholic nonprofit.

Msgr. Robert T. Richie, rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, told cathedral parishioners in an Aug. 3 letter he has been named in a civil lawsuit alleging he "sexually abused a child on one occasion" nearly 50 years ago.

The true Gospel has been revealed by Jesus Christ, not by individuals or founders of movements, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience. "With the truth of the Gospel, one cannot negotiate. Either you receive the Gospel as it is, as it was announced," or one embraces something else, he said.

To the dismay of immigration advocates, the Biden administration announced Aug. 2 it would continue implementing a public health rule enforced by the Trump administration, saying migrants at U.S. border crossings would be turned away to keep COVID-19 at bay. 

Maka Akan Najin Black Elk, a leader in Native American and Catholic education for truth, healing and reconciliation, was unanimously selected by FADICA's board of directors as the recipient of the organization's Distinguished Catholic Leadership Award.

Catholic bishops in Congo called for an end to attacks on the church and its leaders, acts they believe are linked to the church's persistent call for democracy and national cohesion.

Hundreds of people marched — and over 200 of them were arrested — Aug. 2 at a "Moral Monday" rally for voting rights and economic justice near the Capitol. 

The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education encouraged pontifical universities to expand educational opportunities to those who would normally be unable to attend classes in-person full time, but could manage coursework online, such as prisoners, migrants, the homeless, monks, contemplative nuns and even busy bishops.

The head of the Philippine bishops' conference has appealed to Catholics to give food to the poor so that they do not go hungry during a near-total lockdown Aug. 6-20.

The Francis Chronicles: In a video message released by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network Aug. 3, the pope offered his prayer intention for the month of August, which is dedicated to the church's mission of evangelization.

Now that giant cruise ships are banned from fragile waterways near the historic center of Venice, the time has come for the city to become a model of sustainability and supportive of its residents, said Archbishop Francesco Moraglia.