International News

News from outside of Canada.

Vatican abuse summit ends, leaving some with clarity, some with disappointment

February 25, 2019

VATICAN – The long-awaited "Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church," nicknamed the abuse summit, was an extraordinary and historic gathering that surpassed many expectations while perhaps disappointing others.

Listen to the 'cry of the people': Venezuelan bishops call for distribution of humanitarian aid

February 25, 2019

CARACAS, Venezuela – The Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference is calling on Nicolas Maduro’s government to allow humanitarian aid to enter the country and be peacefully distributed to people who are desperately in need of it.

No more excuses; time for 'all-out battle' against crime of abuse, Pope Francis says

February 24, 2019

VATICAN – The time has come for an "all-out battle" against the abuse of minors, erasing this abominable crime from the face of the earth, Pope Francis said, closing a global four-day summit on child protection in the Catholic Church.

Concrete measures to help protect minors are imminent, summit moderator says

February 24, 2019

VATICAN – While the four-day Vatican summit on the protection of minors has ended, the work to ensure that laws and concrete actions are in place is just beginning, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.

Summit focuses on global nature of abuse crisis, need to put victims first

February 24, 2019

VATICAN – The clerical sexual abuse crisis has caused "serious scandal" in the Catholic Church and in society "because of the dramatic suffering of the victims, as well as the unjustifiable lack of attention to them" and attempts by church leaders to cover up the crimes of the guilty, Pope Francis said.

Millions of Venezuelan refugees are in the fight of their lives amidst social, political upheaval

February 24, 2019

BOA VISTA, Brazil – As soon as she fills another suitcase with food, Margaret Infante will join other refugees who cross back and forth at the border from Brazil to Venezuela to help feed starving family members.

Lack of transparency harms church, justice, victims, Cardinal Marx says

February 23, 2019

VATICAN – Transparent, reliable and respectful administration is critical for counteracting sinful behavior within the Catholic Church, said German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising.

Church credibility ruined by silent hypocrisy, Nigerian sister tells summit

February 23, 2019

VATICAN – The hypocrisy of Catholic leaders who claimed to be guardians of morality yet remained silent about clerical sexual abuse has left the church's credibility in shambles, an African woman religious told bishops at the Vatican summit on abuse.

Vatican official urges reconsidering 'pontifical secret' in clerical abuse cases

February 22, 2019

VATICAN – The Catholic Church should re-examine how "pontifical secret" is applied in clerical sex abuse cases so there is greater transparency in the cases and it is not invoked "to hide problems," said a canon lawyer and Vatican official.

Harming a child must be 'line in the sand' for removal, Cardinal O'Malley says

February 22, 2019

VATICAN – For the Catholic Church, there is a "line in the sand," which can never be crossed, and that is to not allow anyone who harms or would harm a child to exercise public ministry, said Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston.