Europe

Trade unions have protested outside the prime minister's office in Athens to oppose further spending cuts.

Greece to cut civil service jobs, despite protests

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/7/2012

To the surprise of some, Greece's coalition government has agreed to demands to cut civil service jobs. About 15,000 positions will be cut this year. The decision comes amid mounting global pressure to agree on austerity measures that are needed to secure major new debt agreements. LOS ...

Lucas Papademos's chief mission was to at least agree to a preliminary deal with the 'troika' of foreign lenders on reforms included in the bailout. Several days of previous talks failed to resolve the issue of cutting wages and spending.

Greek talks on national debt suspended

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/7/2012

Talks on the Greek national debt have been suspended - however, leaders say that many issues have been successfully resolved, and that the talks will continue. After five hours of discussions, Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said that the talks would continue this week. LOS ANGELES, CA ...

Congregation for the Clergy on the Mystery of Suffering and the Saving Power of God

By Congregation for the Clergy • Catholic Online • 2/6/2012

Moved by human suffering, Jesus healed many who were sick and cast out unclean spirits. What the readings tell us is not just that suffering can be healed. In the second reading St Paul explains the possibility for each of us to participate in the saving work of Christ. We can truly ...

Pope Benedict XVI Calls Christians to Prayer as the 'Yes' Which Sets Us Free

By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 2/4/2012

Pope Benedict XVI continued his astounding catechesis on prayer to the pilgrims assembled for his weekly General Audience. He invited them - and he invites all of us - to learn from the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Christ's "yes" to the ...

Greek's precarious financial future and substantial debt are sure to be at the top of this week's eurozone crisis meeting. European leaders have gathered in Brussels, the Belgian capital and de facto capital of the European Union for a fresh round of talks. (German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left to right.)

Greek debt at the top of the list at eurozone crisis meeting

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 1/31/2012

Greek's precarious financial future and substantial debt are sure to be at the top of this week's eurozone crisis meeting. European leaders have gathered in Brussels, the Belgian capital and de facto capital of the European Union for a fresh round of talks. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - This ...

Pope Benedict XVI bowing before an Icon of Jesus Christ

Missionary Pope Calls Catholics to Preach the Gospel and Bring all Nations to Jesus

By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 1/31/2012

"The mission ad gentes (to the gentiles, or unbelievers) should be, also today, the constant horizon and paradigm of every ecclesial activity, because the very identity of the Church is constituted by faith in the Mystery of God, who revealed himself in Christ to bring us salvation, and by the ...

Police in Portugal are increasingly common sight in urban areas, as they focus on revenue-generating activities, and neglect outlying districts.

Portugal's black market goes mainstream

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 1/30/2012

It's tough times for businesses in Portugal. As the government struggles to keep its economy afloat, it has raised taxes and imposed austerity measures that have hit the middle and lower classes very hard. Businesses have been brought to their knees by declining demand and higher government taxes. ...

Icelanders are struggling to stay in their homes, but they also report they are happier, because they have more time with their families.

The recovery of Iceland -- slow going

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 1/30/2012

In 2009, thousands of Icelanders protested before that country's parliament building, calling upon the government to resign. The conservative government was being held responsible for the collapse of that country's banking system. Now, three years later, are the people of Iceland any better off? ...

While its debt precipitated the European economic crisis, the nation of Greece is standing strong; Greece will not cede control over its budget to the European Union. According to some sources, the notion was suggested by Germany as a condition for a second bailout.

Nation of Greece stands firm: No outside control of budget

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 1/30/2012

While its debt precipitated the European economic crisis, the nation of Greece is standing strong; Greece will not cede control over its budget to the European Union. According to some sources, the notion was suggested by Germany as a condition for a second bailout. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic ...

Laura Dekker, 16, hugged her family and wept before addressing the crowd. Dekker was born aboard a boat and first sailed solo at age six. At 10, she said, she began dreaming abut circling the globe.

16-year-old girl finishes round-the-world boat trip - alone

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 1/23/2012

A 16-year-old girl from Holland has completed her year-long solo journey around the world in a sailboat. Laura Dekker officially ended her voyage at the Caribbean island of St Maarten onboard her vessel called the "Guppy." LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Dozens cheered Dekker as she ...