International News

News from outside of Canada.

Catholic parishes relied on faith, prudent planning during university shooting

August 30, 2023

Two North Carolina pastors told OSV News their parish security plans were put to a real-life test when an active shooting unfolded nearby -- and safety and mental health ministries are serving as a model for other churches, said lay leaders.

Judge dismisses criminal abuse charges against former cardinal Theodore McCarrick

August 30, 2023

The Massachusetts sex abuse case against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick fell apart Wednesday as all criminal charges were dismissed due to the disgraced former cleric being deemed no longer mentally competent.

After Russia remarks stir outrage, Vatican says pope never intended to 'glorify imperialist logic'

August 29, 2023

Russian clergy and lay Catholics were "caught by surprise" by the pope's remarks in a video call Aug. 25 to a youth gathering in St. Petersburg praising the country's past empire and urging young people to "never give up this heritage."

Pope Francis, urging young Russians to be proud of their heritage, stirs controversy

August 29, 2023

The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church said Ukrainians were shocked when Pope Francis told Russian Catholic youths to be proud of their heritage and cited two historic Russian leaders that, the archbishop said, are "the worst example of imperialism and extreme Russian nationalism."

Society of Jesus banned in Nicaragua

August 24, 2023

The Nicaraguan regime has extinguished the Jesuits' legal status and ordered the expropriation of its assets, effectively making it illegal for the Society of Jesus to operate in the Central American country.

Cardinal Burke sees 'grave harm' coming from synod process

August 23, 2023

The synod process underway around the world and at the Vatican is inflicting "evident and grave harm" on the Catholic Church, retired U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke wrote in a letter published as the foreword to a book.

'We are willing to die for the name of Jesus,' persecuted Christians say as world marks day of awareness for religion-based violence

August 22, 2023

On the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief, observed on the United Nations' calendar Aug. 22, Pakistan and India are among places of particular concern for Christian rights advocates.

Jesuits evicted from residence after Nicaragua university seized

August 21, 2023

Nicaraguan officials evicted a team of Jesuits from their home in the capital city of Managua shortly after seizing a prestigious university from the religious order -- an act the Society of Jesus called a "spectacle."

Nicaragua regime shuts down Jesuit university, accuses it of 'terrorism'

August 17, 2023

The Jesuit-run Central American University in Managua suspended operations Aug. 16 after Nicaraguan authorities branded the school a "center of terrorism" the previous day and froze its assets for confiscation -- actions marking an escalation in the regime's repression of the Catholic Church and its charitable and educational projects.

Church leaders 'deeply pained,' condemn anti-Christian vandalism in Pakistan

August 17, 2023

The Pakistani Catholic church strongly condemned the Muslim mob attack on churches and Christian properties Aug. 16 and demanded justice.