International News

News from outside of Canada.

Secularization can help the Church proclaim the Gospel, superior general of Jesuits says

October 11, 2018

VATICAN – The Catholic Church must find a way to look at secularization as an opportunity to find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, the Jesuit superior general told the Synod of Bishops.

Some married men would answer a call to priesthood, Belgian bishop says

October 11, 2018

VATICAN – Speaking to the Synod of Bishops on behalf of Belgium's bishops' conference, a bishop said he was sure some young married men would become priests if they were asked.

U.K. court upholds bakers' right to refuse making same-sex themed cake

October 11, 2018

MANCHESTER, England – The United Kingdom's Supreme Court has upheld the right of a bakery to refuse to make a cake emblazoned with a slogan in support of same-sex marriage.

Catholic, grassroots groups work with survivors after Haiti earthquake

October 10, 2018

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – As Haitian authorities confirmed the toll from the Oct. 6 earthquake at 17 dead and 333 injured, Caritas and other grass-roots organizations working with the victims highlighted the critical humanitarian situation facing survivors, who now lack shelter.

Synod of Bishops can make 'deep and profound change', Luxembourg archbishop says

October 10, 2018

VATICAN – At a Synod of Bishops where "cultural shift," "epochal change" and "massive challenge" are almost buzz phrases, Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg said, "I'm very optimistic."

Who are the excommunicated Chinese bishops received back into ecclesial communion?

October 10, 2018

BANGKOK – Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai, one of two Chinese participants attending the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, concelebrated Mass with St. John Paul II twice in 1995. Although he was a member of the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association – not recognized by the Vatican – it was only after his illicit ordination as a bishop of the Chinese-designated Diocese of Chengde that he was automatically excommunicated.

Vatican releases list of twelve synod members drafting final report

October 10, 2018

VATICAN – Twelve synod members have been named to a commission to draft the final report summarizing the discussion at the Synod of Bishops on young people. The report will be given Pope Francis.

Young people, clerics, need better formation on sexuality, Cardinal Lacroix says

October 10, 2018

VATICAN – Young Catholics, particularly clerics, need better formation on sexuality, affectivity, and the body, Canada's Cardinal Gérald Lacroix told reporters Tuesday, speaking about the 2018 Synod of Bishops.

First formal synod reports focus on sex abuse, sexuality, friendship, mission

October 9, 2018

VATICAN – In their first formal reports to the entire Synod of Bishops, many of the gathering's working groups reported that they had discussed the clerical sexual abuse crisis and, especially, its impact on young Catholics.

Kim Jong Un invites Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, South Korean spokesman says

October 9, 2018

SEOUl, South Korea – North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, a South Korean spokesman said Tuesday.