Religion

VATICAN CITY—Pope Benedict XVI says in a new book that the use of condoms can be justified in some cases, such as for male prostitutes seeking to prevent the spread of HIV. The pontiff made […] […]

BEIJING: China’s government-backed Catholic church was ordaining a bishop who did not have the pope’s approval Saturday, despite objections from the Vatican and comments by a key papal adviser that the move was “illegitimate” and […] […]

VATICAN CITY: The Vatican said Friday it was planning to issue a set of guidelines to bishops around the world on responding effectively to the sexual abuse of children by priests. The guidelines will include […] […]

CATHOLIC cardinals from around the world will hold an unprecedented meeting in the Vatican tomorrow to discuss sex abuse by priests, as activists call for tougher action against offenders. “The Church’s response to sexual abuse […] […]

CAIRO—Muslims set fire overnight to at least 10 houses belonging to Coptic Christians in a village in southern Egypt over rumors that a Christian resident had an affair with a Muslim girl, security officials said […] […]

The Grade 9 student quit one-on-one math tutorials in the priest’s first-floor office, one with a windowless door and a couch, after only a few sessions. The athletic boy instead turned to a brilliant neighbourhood […] […]

MALAYSIA’S parliament this week debated whether or not it was right for teachers to cane a 10-year-old boy for bringing pork to school. The Malaysia Star reported the argument centered on whether the boy, who […] […]

A PAKISTANI court has sentenced to death a Christian mother of five for blasphemy, the first such conviction of a woman and sparking protests from rights groups overnight. Asia Bibi, 45, was sentenced on Tuesday […] […]

Sikh Americans protested yesterday at what they said was a new policy at United States airports to screen their turbans systematically, voicing fear the move would further stigmatise their faith. US officials did not confirm […] […]

POPE Benedict XVI sprinkled holy water to consecrate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia church and used the opportunity slam Spain’s new abortion laws. Transforming the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi into a Basilica, the 83-year-old pontiff blessed the […] […]