International News

News from outside of Canada.

L'Arche founder Jean Vanier receives spiritual solidarity award from Aydan

October 16, 2018

BEIRUT – Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, is the recipient of the Spiritual Solidarity Award from Adyan, a foundation for interreligious studies and spiritual solidarity based in Lebanon.

Implications of Russian Orthodox split remain unknown, says Catholic expert

October 16, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Russian Orthodox Church's decision to sever ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople will affect ecumenical dialogue, but long-term implications remain unknown.

'Watering down' church teaching won't attract young people, Cardinal Sarah says

October 16, 2018

VATICAN – Just because some young people disagree with Catholic moral teaching, including in the area of sexuality, does not mean the church's teachings are unclear or should change, Cardinal Robert Sarah told the Synod of Bishops.

In conflict over Ukraine, Russian Orthodox Church splits from Patriarch of Constantinople

October 16, 2018

KYIV, Ukraine – The Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow has cut ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, claiming his recognition of an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine departed from Orthodox Christian norms.

'The poor cannot wait': Lack of progress fighting hunger is shameful, Pope says

October 16, 2018

ROME – At a time of technological and scientific progress, "we ought to feel shame" for not having advanced in "humanity and solidarity" enough to feed the world's poor, Pope Francis said.

Superiors general believe women should have voting power at synod

October 15, 2018

VATICAN – Although bishops should make up the majority of voting members at a Synod of Bishops, the fact that the body is only consultative means women should be included as full members just as priests and religious brothers are, said three priests who are voting members.

Vatican pilgrims at canonization support their local 'heroes'

October 15, 2018

VATICAN CITY – As the sun rose over the Tiber River, seven banners hanging on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica depicting the church's newest saints were illuminated by the new day.

Pope Francis expels two Chilean bishops from priesthood accused of sex abuse

October 13, 2018

VATICAN – In an unprecedented move, Pope Francis removed from the priesthood two Chilean bishops accused of sexual abuse.

Cardinal Wuerl says celebrating sacraments, sharing Gospel his 'greatest joy'

October 13, 2018

WASHINGTON – In a 2016 interview marking his 10th anniversary as archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl said he was inspired by "the faith of our people, strong faith that's manifested at every level of the life of the church."

Pope accepts Cardinal Wuerl's resignation as archbishop of Washington

October 12, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl as archbishop of Washington. Wuerl had been facing pressure to resign after an Aug. 14 grand jury report detailing sexual abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses painted a mixed picture of how he handled some of the cases when he was bishop in Pittsburgh from 1988 until 2006.