Germany
The Pope's brother said that he slapped pupils across the face after he took over a renowned German boys' choir in the 1960s, and that he was aware of allegations of physical abuse at an elementary school linked to the choir, but did nothing about it.

Switzerland
The Swiss theologian Hans Kung has linked clerical sex abuse with priestly celibacy, blaming the Church's 'uptight' views on sex for child abuse scandals in Germany, Ireland and the US.

Nigeria
Machete-wielding Muslims have killed at least 200 in attacks on three Christian villages on Sunday.

Philippines
About 100 people protesting against the Church's position on contraception, carried baskets of inflated condoms as they picketed outside the Bishops' Conference building in Manila.

Colorado
A Catholic school in Colorado is kicking out a preschooler because the child's parents are lesbians.

Vatican City
Pope Benedict XVI has set up a special commission to weigh the authenticity of the reported apparitions by the Virgin Mary at Medjugorje.

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