#VATICANCITY: Top-Ranking Vatican Official Convicted Of Child Sexual Abuse In Australia

[world politics news]

A top adviser to Pope Francis has been convicted of child sex abuse in Australia, the highest-ranking official convicted in the long-running Catholic Church scandal. An jury found Cardinal George Pell, 77, guilty on five charges of "historical child sexual offenses" that go back decades. The 12-member jury gave their unanimous verdict in the County Court of the State of Victoria in Melbourne on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Duterte Calls For The Murder Of "Useless" Catholic Bishops Because Of Their Opposition To Drug War Killings

[world politics news]

Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said his country's Catholic bishops are "useless fools" and should be "killed" as the controversial leader stepped up his attacks on the Catholic Church, which has opposed his deadly war on drugs in the Southeast Asian nation. In a speech at the presidential palace Wednesday, Duterte was quoted as saying in a mix of Filipino and English: "These bishops that you guys have, kill them. They are useless fools. All they do is criticize." He earlier stoked the anger of the Church by calling the Catholic God "stupid."

His war on drugs has included speeches in which Duterte called for the murder of those accused of drug smuggling or selling illicit drugs has resulted in the extra-judicial deaths of thousands, and has been condemned by human rights groups, religious groups, and world leaders alike.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THEPHILIPPINES: President Challenges Catholics: Will Resign If You Show Me A "Selfie With God"

[world politics news]

The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has offered to resign if anyone can take a selfie with God to prove he exists. His comments came just days after he called God "stupid". "If any one can go to heaven, talk to God, and take a selfie – I will resign." The latest outburst shows Duterte, aged 73, increasingly at odds with the Catholic Church, in which he was raised and to which most Filipinos belong.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Catholic Bishop "Dares" Pres. Duterte To Reveal Why Priests Were Killed

[world politics news]

A Catholic bishop has dared Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to make good on a threat and reveal alleged sex scandals committed by priests, saying it would not ruin the church. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said church leaders would even thank the president if what he revealed was the truth. Pabillo said the president's threats will not stop priests and bishops from criticizing his wrongdoings. Duterte had warned that he would reveal the reasons behind a recent spate of priest killings if church leaders continued to criticize him.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Duterte Unloads On Catholic Church, Accuses Priests Of Corruption, Homosexuality

[world politics news]

Despite a recent blessing from Pope Francis, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has launched an angry attack on priests and bishops critical of his drug war, accusing them of homosexuality, corruption and child abuse. Furious over concerns by the Catholic Church of alleged extra-judicial killings during his crackdown, Duterte attacked clergymen for denouncing him instead of using their influence to get people off drugs. He challenged the church to a "showdown" and threatened to expose priests and bishops for a litany of abuses. "You expose me, fine. I expose you. Why? Your mistake is just all right, but ours is not? Bullshit. That is a big joke," he said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Alternative For Germany Pty Ldr Slams Catholic Bishop For Siding With Merkel On Migrants

[world politics news]

Alternative for Germany leader Frauke Petry has called Catholic bishops "dishonest" for their involvement in refugee politics. "I think the Church has a dishonest position on refugee policy," Petry said in response to Cardinal Reinhard Marx's accusation that she was dividing society. "It's the Church that is tearing cracks [in society] by criticizing us as inhumane as a political party and rejecting speaking with us." The Cardinal has seemingly backed Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policies.

#ISRAEL: Attny Gen. Rules Gov't Must Compensate Catholic Church After Jewish Extremists Torch Historic Galilean Church

[world politics news]

Israel's attorney general has ruled that the Catholic Church should be compensated for the arson attack on the ancient Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, reversing an earlier government ruling. Extremist West Bank Jewish Settlers are standing trial for the attack on the 4th Century church, which was rebuilt in the 20th Century.

IRELAND

Lower House Approves First Ever Legal Abortions to Save Life of the Mother [world politics news]