Ghana

Catholic aid agencies are protecting their staff's safety as they increase their worldwide efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Catholic dioceses, too, are following protocols issued by their government health ministries.

Africa's bishops pledged to work together to ensure that the continent's resources serve development and peace of all people.

Participants at a diocesan listening session on racism in Columbus spoke about hurtful experiences both inside and outside the church, but also expressed optimism about efforts to recognize the problem and respond to it.

On the last full day of the meeting in Rome on clergy sex abuse, a German cardinal and a Nigerian nun, each in his or her own way, explained that transparency was the only way for the Catholic Church to deal with the crisis. They spoke with bluntness unusual in meetings of bishops, practicing the transparency they preached.

Young people crave spiritual mentorship, but such guides must to be trained to accompany younger Catholics today, according to the second round of reports from the synod's English-speaking working groups.

A top Vatican official urged young people at a local World Youth Day gathering to protect the planet and actively live the teachings of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment.

With widespread concern over corruption and environmental neglect in Ghana, the church has launched a national project to help clean up the country.

Morning Briefing: Pope Francis' fifth anniversary; Bakery in Ghana makes Communion hosts; How evangelicals are tiptoeing away from Trump; Trump fires Tillerson