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June 2014

June 1

Rolling Stones’ first Israeli concert delayed to accommodate religious fans

June 1, 2014

The Rolling Stones will begin their first concert in Israel 45 minutes later than originally scheduled to accommodate religious Jewish fans.

Church in Central African Republic wants more protection from peacekeepers after attack

June 1, 2014

OXFORD, England - The Catholic Church in the Central African Republic pleaded for firmer action by United Nations-backed peacekeepers after an attack on a Bangui church left the parish priest and at least 14 worshippers dead.

Ahead of the World Cup, Brazil’s churches work to protect children from sex abuse

June 1, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO - As Brazil counts down to the opening of the World Cup on June 12, churches in cities hosting the international soccer tournament are not content to sit on the sidelines and cheer.

June 2

Kidnapped Canadian nun freed in Cameroon

June 2, 2014

A Canadian missionary nun taken hostage with two Italian priests in Cameroon has been freed.

Indian cardinal's death leaves College of Cardinals with 214 members

June 2, 2014

VATICAN CITY - An Indian cardinal who had been the editor of a Catholic weekly newspaper before coming to Rome to serve as head of the Vatican Congregation for Eastern Churches died in Rome at the age of 90.

Pope Francis tells couples not to substitute dogs and cats for children

June 2, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on June 2 warned married couples against substituting cats and dogs for children — a move that he said leads to the “bitterness of loneliness” in old age.

Pope, at charismatic rally in stadium, invites them to Vatican in 2017

June 2, 2014

ROME - Meeting more than 50,000 Catholic charismatics in Rome's Olympic Stadium, Pope Francis admitted he was not always comfortable with the way they prayed, but he knelt onstage as they prayed for him and over him by singing and speaking in tongues.

June 3

Canadian sister released in Cameroon

June 3, 2014

VATICAN CITY - From Montreal to the Vatican, Cameroon to northern Italy, statements expressing “great joy” accompanied the news that a Canadian sister of Notre-Dame and two Italian missionary priests were released unharmed almost two months after being kidnapped in northern Cameroon.

Bishops pay tribute as king abdicates

June 3, 2014

OXFORD, ENGLAND - King Juan Carlos of Spain received a tribute from the country’s bishops after he announced his decision to abdicate the throne in favour of his son.

June 4

Pope Francis’ prayer at security wall a ‘slap in the face,’ says B’nai Brith

June 4, 2014

TORONTO - Under the headline “A slap in the face,” B’nai Brith Canada CEO Frank Dimant has used his organization’s newspaper to condemn Pope Francis’ recent visit to the Holy Land.

Abortion raises its head at summit

June 4, 2014

TORONTO - At a breakout session on maternal mortality closed to media at the maternal health summit in Toronto, experts discussed the merits of abortion, according to Dr. Robert Walley, executive director of MaterCare International.

U.K. moves a step closer to allowing three-parent babies

June 4, 2014

MANCHESTER, England - Great Britain moved a step closer to becoming the first country in the world to legalize technologies that would lead to the creation of "designer babies" after a state regulatory agency declared that controversial procedures were not "unsafe."

Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew may join Vatican prayer summit

June 4, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople may join Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres when they meet Pope Francis to pray for peace this weekend.

June 5

In unusual step, Mexican priest accused of abuse faces criminal charges

June 5, 2014

MEXICO CITY - A priest in north central Mexico has been stripped of his position by the Vatican and faces criminal charges in connection with alleged sexual abuse of a teenage boy.

Ireland investigates report of babies buried at former religious home

June 5, 2014

DUBLIN - The Irish government established a working group to address details emerging about Catholic-run, state-funded mother-and-baby homes and the burial of deceased children.

Afghan security arrests man in connection with Jesuit priest kidnapping

June 5, 2014

ROME - Security forces in Afghanistan arrested a man in connection with the kidnapping of a Jesuit priest from India.

Msgr. Foy knew what was at stake

June 5, 2014

Last week I wrote about ordination of a friend for the Archdiocese of Kingston. Priestly ordinations are joyful occasions. They are not as common as they should be, but they are not rare. This coming Saturday something truly rare will be celebrated when Msgr. Vincent Foy will celebrate the 75th anniversary of his priestly ordination, which took place on June 3, 1939.

Keeping our word

June 5, 2014

All too often nations fail to honour headline-grabbing promises trumpeted at the conclusion of international summits. Leaders move on to other issues and other crises and hope no one remembers pledges made in previous years.

Faith has sustained Filipinos in wake of Typhoon Haiyan

June 5, 2014

TORONTO - In the six months since Typhoon Haiyan stripped thousands of Filipinos of everything they have, there is one thing that it couldn’t destroy: the people’s hope and faith in God.

Pope internationalizes Vatican financial watchdog agency

June 5, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis named a slate of new members to the Vatican's financial watchdog agency, replacing an all-Italian panel with members from Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.