Church in the Americas

Colombia bishops hold day of prayer during deadly protests
- May 8, 2021
Catholic bishops in Colombia led a day of prayer and fasting Friday after two weeks of protests against a government tax reform.

By Inés San Martín
Canadian bishops unveil new system to report bishops for abuse, cover-up
- May 8, 2021
The Canadian bishops have rolled out a new bilingual online reporting system where complaints either of abuse or coverup against the Church’s shepherds can be made.

By Elise Ann Allen
Archdiocese of Montreal names ombudswoman to deal with sex abuse complaints
- May 7, 2021
Determined to “eradicate the scourge” of sexual abuse in his diocese and in the church, Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal has appointed an independent ombudswoman on abuse.

By Francois Gloutnay

Amid political crisis, Salvadoran bishops call for ‘authentic democracy’
- May 7, 2021
After international outcry following moves that consolidated power over El Salvador into the hands of the president, the Central American country’s Catholic bishops expressed worry and urged lawmakers to guide citizens into a “truly democratic state.”

By Rhina Guidos

Trial hearings begin on Salvadoran massacre U.S. may have known about
- May 7, 2021
An expert witness testified to the “illegal” presence of a high-ranking U.S. military adviser who may have known about the plot to kill nearly 1,000 civilians who perished in El Mozote, El Salvador, nearly 40 years ago.

By Rhina Guidos
Fundamentalists suspected in vandalism of Catholic church in Brazil
- May 7, 2021
At least seven statues of saints were vandalized at a Catholic church in the greater São Paulo metropolitan area, with a group of Evangelical teenagers suspected.

By Eduardo Campos Lima
Church leaders offer prayers after Mexico City metro crash
- May 4, 2021
Mexican church leaders offered prayers for the victims of a metro line collapse that left at least 23 dead and more than 70 people injured.

By David Agren
Police called after Argentine priest holds outdoor Mass for First Communion
- May 4, 2021
Despite knowing that religious ceremonies that lasted more than 30 minutes and included more than 20 people in his diocese were banned due to Argentina’s second COVID-19 wave, a local priest on Saturday challenged both his bishop and civil authorities by holding a First Communion Mass in an open-air space with close to 100 participants.

By Inés San Martín