International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope Francis rejects German proposal for inter-communion

June 4, 2018

VATICAN – One month after Vatican and German delegates met in Rome to discuss a proposal put forward by German bishops to allow Protestant spouses in inter-denominational marriages to receive the Eucharist in certain circumstances, Pope Francis has rejected it.

Supreme Court rules in favour of baker in same-sex wedding cake case

June 4, 2018

WASHINGTON – In a 7-2 decision June 4, the Supreme Court sided with a Colorado baker in a case that put anti-discrimination laws up against freedom of speech and freedom of religious expression.

Sports on Sundays OK, except when used to skip Mass, says Vatican

June 1, 2018

VATICAN – A new Vatican document cautions against the dangers of highly competitive children's sports, political and economic pressures on athletes to win '"at all costs" and the unsportsmanlike or violent behavior of fans.

G.K. Chesterton's sainthood cause may soon be opened

June 1, 2018

NORTHAMPTON, England – As an investigation into the life of Catholic apologist G.K. Chesterton nears a close, admirers of the English writer voiced hope that his sainthood cause could soon be opened.

Displaced residents ask for prayers after lava forces Hawaiians out of homes

May 31, 2018

HONOLULU – Paul and Rose Utes, members of Sacred Heart Parish in Pahoa, had to leave their home when lava from the Kilauea eruptions moved into their section of the Leilani Estates subdivision in Puna on the Big Island.

Pope 'ashamed' by church's failure to listen to abuse survivors

May 31, 2018

VATICAN – In a letter to Catholics in Chile, Pope Francis expressed shame for the church's failure to listen and defend survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of the clergy.

Pope names apostolic visitor to Medjugorje

May 31, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis has named as apostolic visitor to Medjugorje the Polish archbishop he had initially sent to the town as his personal envoy to study the pastoral needs of the townspeople and of the thousands of pilgrims who flock to the site of the alleged Marian apparitions.

Vatican team investigating abuse cover-ups to return to Chile

May 31, 2018

VATICAN – To promote healing after reports of sexual abuse and cover-ups, Pope Francis will send Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta and Father Jordi Bertomeu Farnos back to Chile.

Cardinal accuses U.N. peacekeepers of complicity in Central African attacks

May 30, 2018

WARSAW, Poland – The head of the Central African Republic's Catholic Church accused United Nations peacekeepers of "conspiring with rebel groups" to inflame Christian-Muslim hostility.

Cardinal Bo among faith leaders pledging to back Myanmar peace efforts

May 30, 2018

BANGKOK – Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, has joined other faith leaders in declaring their commitment to peace initiatives in the strife-torn southeast Asia country, a move welcomed by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.