vatican

ROME, -- Prosecutors in Rome returned $33 million of funds belonging to the Vatican Bank in light of a new Vatican anti-money-laundering law, authorities said. The funds were seized in September after the Vatican Bank made two suspicious transfers of $28 million and $5 million to Credito...

<div>Vatican's new sex abuse guidelines don't require reporting By Richard Allen Greene and Hada Messia New Vatican guidelines aimed at fighting child abuse by priests tell Catholic bishops they should cooperate with police, but do not order them to report allegations to the authorities...

The Vatican told bishops around the world on Monday that they must make it a global priority to root out sexual abuse of children by priests. The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church told bishops in a letter that they should cooperate with civil authorities to end the abuse that has...

-- A 1997 letter from the Vatican's representative to bishops in Ireland warns them to follow church law in investigating cases of suspected child sex abuse by priests and expresses "serious reservations" about requiring that such cases be reported to the police. The Vatican has responded by...

Pope Benedict XVI is quickly becoming known as the "Green Pope." During his time at the top of the Catholic Church, His Holiness has made a point to preach sustainable energy, and he's backed up his words with actions. In 2008, photovoltaic cells were installed on the roof of a Vatican...

At the time the cables were written, victims groups were complaining about Benedict XVI's handling of the scandal. Relations between the Vatican and Ireland deteriorated sharply as the Holy See appeared to ignore a commission looking into complaints of physical and sexual abuse of children by...

Alleged victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy held a candlelight vigil of solidary at the Vatican on Sunday but were not allowed to deliver letters to a bronze door outside the pope's residence. Several dozen marchers from the United States, Asia and Europe gathered to share their stories...

Pope wanted to be Vatican librarian VATICAN CITY, Pope Benedict XVI asked his predecessor, John Paul II, to allow him to become the Vatican's librarian, but his request was denied, a Vatican official said. Cardinal Raffaela Farina said the late pope refused 13 years ago to allow then-Cardinal...

Vatican stiffens stand against sex abuse VATICAN CITY, The Catholic Church's statute of limitations on child sexual abuse has been extended to 20 years after a victim's 18th birthday, the Vatican said Thursday. The church, wracked in recent years by priest sex abuse scandals, also...

Priest accused of abusing own son NEW HAVEN, Conn., (UPI) -- A man claiming to be the son of a prominent Catholic priest charges in a lawsuit filed Monday in Connecticut his father sexually abused him. The allegations are directed at the Rev. Marcial Maciel, founder of Mexico's Legion of...

Vatican pays tribute to 'Blues Brothers' VATICAN CITY, (UPI) -- The Vatican's official newspaper marked the 30th anniversary of the comedy musical "The Blues Brothers" by declaring it a Catholic classic. L'Osservatore Romano editor Gian Maria Vian said in the newspaper's full-page spread on...