Germany

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse are criticizing retired Pope Benedict XVI's response to a report that faulted his handling of abuse cases, calling his lack of a direct apology an abdication of personal responsibility.

Awarding of contracts worth $3.2 million, for legal and communications assistance, reportedly did not follow procedures required by canon law.

Joan Chittister: I saw recent hints that our country — after years of protests about police brutality, women's equal rights, justice for all — may be beginning to boil over.

125-page report describes progress on environmental protection and difficulties faced by parishes and other church institutions in responding to climate change.

Pope Francis has refused the resignation of Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the embattled archbishop of Cologne, Germany, and has instead granted him a six-month period of spiritual reflection following an investigation into his handling of clergy sexual abuse cases. 

Commentary: The Synodal Path, established unanimously by the German bishops' conference, cannot provide binding resolutions, neither on Catholic teaching for Germany (as some fear) nor on anything at all, as every decision must be ratified by each bishop for his own diocese.

Nearly 200 people are confirmed dead and hundreds remain missing after torrential rains caused dams to burst and rivers to overflow their banks.

Pope Francis offered prayers and expressed his closeness with the people of Germany after severe flooding in the western part of the country claimed the lives of at least 100 people.