Former Moscow-linked Church claims religious persecution as security raids heat up | CNN

Former Moscow-linked Church claims religious persecution as security raids heat up | CNN

CNN  —  The vertically shot video published last November shows no weapons, battlefield atrocities or even soldiers. But the sound of a patriotic Russian song reverberating through a church on Kyiv’s famous Lavra monastery grounds seemed to open a new front in Ukraine’s war with Russia. The church belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) … Read more

Former Pope Benedict XVI lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of funeral | CNN

Former Pope Benedict XVI lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of funeral | CNN

Rome CNN  —  The lying-in-state of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died Saturday at the age of 95, began Monday in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City ahead of his funeral later this week. Benedict, who was the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life, passed … Read more

Japanese Prime Minister orders investigation into controversial Unification Church | CNN

Japanese Prime Minister orders investigation into controversial Unification Church | CNN

Tokyo CNN  —  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered an investigation into the Unification Church amid a growing scandal tying his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to the controversial religious group. Kishida announced the probe during a parliamentary session on Monday and said it would be carried out using “the right to ask questions” … Read more

Pope declares ‘zero tolerance’ for Catholic Church abuse, saying he takes personal responsibility for ending it | CNN

Pope declares ‘zero tolerance’ for Catholic Church abuse, saying he takes personal responsibility for ending it | CNN

CNN  —  Pope Francis says he has taken it on himself to rid the Catholic Church of sexual abuse, telling CNN’s partner channel CNN Portugal that he was “responsible that it doesn’t happen anymore.” In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview in Rome last month, the Pontiff said the church had “zero tolerance” for abuse and said … Read more