International News

News from outside of Canada.

Sisters of Mercy help push Canadian mining giant to abandon operations

December 10, 2018

After years of lobbying by a small community of Catholic sisters from eastern Canada, the world’s largest producer of potash is abandoning mining operations in territory south of Morocco.

New U.N. compact on migrants, stateless people an alternative to fear

December 10, 2018

A new international agreement that covers all dimensions of international migration that will be signed in Morocco, Dec. 10-11 represents the alternative to fear, says Canadian Jesuit Fr. Michael Czerny.

Human rights of most vulnerable must be promoted at all times, Pope Francis says

December 10, 2018

VATICAN – The fundamental rights of all human beings, especially the most vulnerable, must be respected and protected in every situation, Pope Francis said, marking Human Rights Day, Dec.10.

Woman dumps sulfuric acid on priest hearing confessions in Nicaragua

December 7, 2018

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – A 24-year-old woman dumped sulfuric acid on a priest while he was hearing confessions in the Managua cathedral.

Canadian bishops discuss sex abuse policy, Indigenous Peoples with Pope Francis

December 7, 2018

VATICAN – The leaders of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said the concerns of the indigenous peoples in Canada and the bishops' updated sexual abuse policies were among the issues they spoke about with Pope Francis.

Fight against drugs, 'traffickers of death', Pope Francis says

December 7, 2018

VATICAN – Everyone must help in the fight against drugs, particularly governments which are called to confront the "traffickers of death" who produce, distribute or sell addictive substances, Pope Francis said.

Beatification of martyrs can united Christians, Muslims, Algerian bishop says

December 7, 2018

ALGIERS, Algeria – The beatifications of 19 martyrs in Algeria will be a "great joy" to the church and will help unite Christians and Muslims of the country, said a French-Algerian archbishop.

Vatican urges adoption of global agreements on migration, refugees

December 7, 2018

VATICAN – Welcoming the finalization of global compacts on migration and on refugees, the Vatican urged nations to adopt the nonbinding agreements to protect people who are on the move and to promote their orderly acceptance in new countries.

Vatican leads talks to expand testing, treatment of HIV-positive children

December 7, 2018

VATICAN – Responding to the deaths of tens of thousands of children from AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses, the Vatican brought together physicians and representatives of drug companies and humanitarian agencies to strategize ways to improve care for children and adolescents who are HIV-positive.

Pope Francis approves new laws governing Vatican City State to boost transparency

December 6, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis approved a new set of laws concerning the structure and governance of Vatican City State in an effort to simplify the many offices and activities of the world's smallest nation and to boost oversight, transparency and budgetary controls.