International News

News from outside of Canada.

Cardinal O'Malley calls for investigation at Boston seminary after social media reports

August 13, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Archbishop of Boston said in an Aug. 10 statement that he has asked the rector of its main archdiocesan St. John Seminary to go on sabbatical leave immediately and is asking for an investigation of allegations made on social media about activities there "directly contrary to the moral standards and requirements of formation for the Catholic priesthood."

Social media plays role in breaking Church sex abuse stories

August 10, 2018

WASHINGTON – Magazines and newspapers have long been sources to break big news stories. Now, too, social media is taking its turn.

Explainer: How Vatican abuse trials work

August 10, 2018

VATICAN – Any member of the clergy accused of the sexual abuse of a minor is tried according to procedures outlined in the Code of Canon Law and specific norms spelled out in "Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela" ("Safeguarding the Sanctity of the Sacraments").

Argentina Senate votes down abortion decriminalization bill

August 9, 2018

MEXICO CITY – The Argentine Senate voted against a bill that would have decriminalized abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Filipino Catholic media urged to confront 'fake news'

August 9, 2018

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Filipinos working in the church's social communication ministry need a lot of prayer and a "sense of mission" to be able "to combat fake news" and work for peace, a gathering in Davao City was told this week.

Vatican makes progress on pushing treatment of children with HIV

August 9, 2018

AMSTERDAM – An initiative to identify and properly treat children living with HIV has gained new momentum as international organizations and pharmaceutical companies respond to a Vatican push to look past profit to doing the right thing.

Timeline on Archbishop McCarrick's life, ministry, abuse claims made against him

August 9, 2018

ROME – Here is a timeline of key events in the life of Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick since his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of New York 60 years ago. It includes information on his episcopal appointments to dioceses and archdioceses and covers allegations of abuse that have been lodged against him.

Crisis is call to new understanding of priesthood, accountability, abuse expert says

August 9, 2018

VATICAN – A Jesuit priest who has been on the frontline of advocating for survivors of clerical sexual abuse and developing detailed programs to prevent abuse said the crisis unfolding, again, in the United States is a summons to a new way of envisioning the church and taking responsibility for it.

Catholic youth release open letter on McCarrick, call for independent investigation

August 8, 2018

WASHINGTON – A group of young Catholic writers, intellectuals, and activists released an open letter Aug. 8 calling for an independent investigation into the alleged crimes of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. The letter also calls Catholic leaders to recommit themselves to the Church’s teaching on sexuality.

Knights' donations, volunteer hours and members keep growing, CEO says

August 8, 2018

BALTIMORE – In an opening address Aug. 7 at the 136th annual Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention, the organizations' CEO, Carl Anderson, spoke of the charitable works of the Knights, their ongoing pro-life commitment and pledge to support persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria.