International News

News from outside of Canada.

Teaching on male-only priesthood is definitive, cardinal-designate says

May 29, 2018

VATICAN – That only men can be validly ordained to the priesthood is a truth that is part of the Catholic faith and will not and cannot change, said Cardinal-designate Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Cardinal-designate Becciu named prefect of congregation for saints

May 29, 2018

VATICAN – Cardinal-designate Giovanni Angelo Becciu is one of the very few new cardinals not completely surprised in late May when Pope Francis announced the names of the 14 churchmen he intended to induct into the College of Cardinals.

Defend right to life, conscientious objection, Pope tells doctors

May 29, 2018

VATICAN – Make medicine and health care more humane by protecting the life and dignity of all patients, particularly the weakest and the unborn, Pope Francis told Catholic doctors and medical specialists.

Chaldeans take big step into global spotlight with new cardinal

May 28, 2018

Roman Catholics are used to belonging to a global church, one that transcends borders, encompasses cultures and finds expression in all the languages of the world.

Irish bishop hopes papal visit can help bring healing after abortion vote

May 28, 2018

DUBLIN – An Irish bishop said he hopes Pope Francis' August visit can help bring healing after a divisive referendum that will pave the way for abortion on demand up to 12 weeks' gestation.

Pope, patriarch call for ethical intervention in economy

May 28, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople called on Christians to work together to build a culture of solidarity in the face of growing economic inequality and a lack of respect for the human dignity of the poor and of migrants.

Voters in Ireland pave way for abortion on demand

May 26, 2018

DUBLIN – Voters in Ireland have opted to remove the right to life of the unborn from the country's constitution, paving the way for abortion on demand up to 12 weeks.

More annulment processes done for free, Vatican statistics show

May 25, 2018

VATICAN – Implementation of Pope Francis' abbreviated process for declaring the nullity of a marriage got off to a slow start, Vatican statistics showed, but his encouragement for making the annulment process free for petitioners fared better.

Communion cannot be shared with friends like beer or cake, Cardinal Arinze says

May 25, 2018

BUCKFASTLEIGH, England – Holy Communion is exclusively for Catholics in a state of grace and not something to be shared between friends like beer or cake, said a former senior adviser to two popes.

Everyone must have affordable health care, Vatican official says

May 24, 2018

VATICAN – Everyone should have access to essential health services and no one should have to fall into poverty to obtain needed care, a Vatican representative said.