• New President Tapped to Lead Catholic Church's Ecumenical Arm

  Cardinal Walter Kasper, the head of the Catholic Church’s ecumenical affairs office, retired from his post Thursday, making way for his successor, Bishop Kurt Koch.

• World Vision: G-8 Leaders Taking Baby Steps in Right Direction

  International Christian NGO World Vision believes the recently concluded summit of the Group of Eight countries will be rightly hailed for the launch of the Canadian-led Muskoka Initiative, but tainted by low promises and expectations.

  

• World Vision 'Deeply Concerned' by Southern China Flooding

  A total of 2.4 million people in China have had to evacuate their homes as a result of severe flooding that spread across 10 provinces and regions in the south and along the eastern coast.

  

• Catholic Group Highlights Plight of Women on World Refugee Day

  While people in at least 55 countries worldwide will be honoring their fathers Sunday, human rights and relief groups will be highlighting the plight of refugees in observance of World Refugee Day.

  

• Group: Without Int'l Help, Niger Headed for 'Humanitarian Tragedy'

  A confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service groups says the Sahel region of West Africa is heading for a humanitarian tragedy unless the international community responds to the mounting food crisis.