Catholic News Service

A Nicaraguan bishop said he will leave the country indefinitely as concerns for his security increase – presumably the product of his criticisms of the Central American nation's president.

A draft of the proposed apostolic constitution for reforming and governing the Roman Curia will soon be sent out to leaders of the world's bishops' conferences, religious orders and some pontifical universities.

Everyone is "in debt" to God, who offers his infinite love and graces for free, Pope Francis said.

The number of executions worldwide has dropped by almost one-third, Amnesty International said in its latest review of the death penalty.

A Peruvian archbishop won a defamation suit against a local journalist in a long-running case involving alleged cover-up in an abuse scandal.

A week into National Child Abuse Protection Month, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori visited the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops chapel April 8 to celebrate midday Mass for conference employees and reflect on the church's work to develop policies and procedures to prevent child abuse by those within the church.

Ten years after Pope Benedict XVI established personal ordinariates for Catholics coming from the Anglican tradition, the Vatican has issued a slightly updated set of norms governing them.

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is addressing a lawsuit filed by the state "with utmost seriousness," while "steadfastly affirming" the diocese's rigorous child protection standards, said the diocese's apostolic administrator, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley told members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors how much Pope Francis appreciated their efforts, particularly their proposal for a summit of leaders of the world's bishops' conferences.

U.S. Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, celebrated his 80th birthday April 8, meaning he is no longer eligible to enter a conclave to elect a new pope.

Everyone has a direct line to Jesus, who is always nearby, ready to listen and help, Pope Francis said.

In Calais, France, migrants find a warm refuge in Caritas' day shelter. They also feel safe enough from the police who prevent them from attempting to reach the U.K. to talk about alleged police violence on the radio.

With the "ongoing political unrest, violence and shortages" in Venezuela causing millions of citizens to flee their country, the U.S. government should designate temporary protected status for that country, U.S. Catholic officials said.

A Chinese bishop, asked to step aside by the Vatican last year, said he does not think he can concelebrate the Holy Thursday chrism Mass unless he agrees to China's policy on the Catholic Church.

More than 140 religious leaders, including the chairmen of three U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' committees, called on President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and congressional leaders to uphold principles of religious freedom following a series of attacks on people of faith, clergy and houses of worship.

A network of lawyers, politicians and human rights advocates seeking an end to the criminalization of homosexuality met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Members of the Philippine clergy and human rights groups responded to President Rodrigo Duterte after he threatened to arrest all of his critics.

Chicago-based Catholic Extension has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $25,000 for a new emergency migrant shelter at the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas.

Christians must be courageous when praying to God and not simply repeat prayers "like a parrot," Pope Francis said.