International News

News from outside of Canada.

Laity participate in Chaldean Catholic synod

August 12, 2019

AMMAN, Jordan -- The Chaldean Catholic Church concluded a weeklong synod in Ainkawa, a Christian enclave in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, in which laity from the church's various dioceses in the Middle East and the diaspora also participated for the first time.

Polish archbishop vows to resist 'LGBT ideology'

August 8, 2019

WARSAW, Poland -- The president of the Polish bishops' conference confirmed the country's Catholic Church will resist "LGBT ideology" as equality campaigners demanded the dismissal of an archbishop who branded gays and lesbians a "rainbow pestilence."

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson highlights Knights' efforts worldwide

August 8, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS -- Five years after the Islamic State invaded northern Iraq and began systematically persecuting the country's Christians, the Knights of Columbus are continuing their work of supporting Iraqi parishes that are rebuilding, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said in his annual report Aug. 6 at the Knights' 137th Supreme Convention in Minneapolis.

Action needed to save Iraqi Christians from 'extinction', Chaldean archbishop

August 7, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Iraqi Christians face "extinction" unless Islam recognizes the fundamental equality of all people and takes steps to overcome violent factions that seek to force religious minorities from the country, said Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil.

Mumbai Catholics open churches for thousands stranded by flooding

August 6, 2019

NEW DELHI -- Catholic churches and institutions in flood-hit Mumbai opened their doors to accommodate thousands of people stranded in the city by heavy rain and flooded streets.

Vatican officials attend Medjugorje youth festival

August 6, 2019

WARSAW, Poland -- Senior Vatican representatives joined the first officially approved church festival at Medjugorje, three months after Catholic pilgrimages to the site in Bosnia-Herzegovina were authorized by the pope.

El Paso bishop meets with victims, family members of Texas mass shooting

August 6, 2019

WASHINGTON -- The bishop of El Paso, Texas, met with the families of those who were killed and wounded during the Aug. 3 shooting at a Walmart in the city where he serves, and in a statement following the meeting said his heart "was breaking," after seeing up-close the human aftermath of the crime.

U.S. bishops stress action after deadly shootings

August 6, 2019

WASHINGTON -- In response to the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, Aug. 3 and 4, several U.S. bishops expressed their support and prayers for victims while also expressing outrage that these tragedies continue to occur.

Bioethicist responds to Japan's approval of human-animal hybrid research

August 4, 2019

WASHINGTON D.C. (CNA) - The Japanese government is expected to approve funding for a research project, led by stem cell scientist Hiromitsu Nakauchi, to use stem cells to create animal embryos that contain human cells.

Catholic social action directors urged to recognize 'pivotal moment'

August 3, 2019

SALT LAKE CITY -- Catholic social action directors across the country were urged to continue their work of fighting social injustices during the annual Social Action Summer Institute July 25-28 at the University of Utah.