International News

News from outside of Canada.

Argentine Church to release baptismal records from dictatorship period

March 14, 2018

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – The Argentine Bishops' Conference will release to the justice system, in accordance with Pope Francis' wishes, dozens of baptismal records from the country’s dictatorship period.

Church leaders praise Hawking for contribution to science, dialogue

March 14, 2018

VATICAN – Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who said he did not believe in God, was still an esteemed member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and fostered a fruitful dialogue between science and faith.

Hindu extremists demolish wall of Catholic hospital in central India

March 14, 2018

BHOPAL, India (CNS) -- Suspected Hindu extremists demolished the wall of a Catholic mission hospital and manhandled staff, including nuns, in the latest incident in Madhya Pradesh state, considered a hotbed of anti-Christian violence in central India.

Cardinal Muller: Overturning Humanae Vitae's teaching a 'crime against the Church'

March 13, 2018

VATICAN – Speaking at a presentation of a book on Humanae Vitae, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stressed Wednesday that attempts to change the Church’s teaching are “a crime against the Church.”

Nun involved with Katy Perry real estate dispute dies in court

March 13, 2018

LOS ANGELES – Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, 89, was one of five remaining members of her religious community, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Los Angeles.

Vatican official urges support for Mideast Christians on Good Friday

March 13, 2018

VATICAN – Christians in the Middle East, particularly those who have been forced from their homes by violence and persecution, need the support of the Catholic Church, a Vatican official said.

Five years of Francis: Pope takes bumpy road to change

March 12, 2018

In 2015 the Pope gave an interview to the Mexican media giant Televisa and said, “I have the sense that my pontificate will be brief — four or five years.” On March 13 he will have hit the five-year mark. He is 81 years old.

Don't get comfortable, take risks when seeking God, Pope says

March 12, 2018

VATICAN – True Christians take risks to constantly seek out Christ, because they know that receiving God's grace is just the beginning of a lifelong journey toward real joy, Pope Francis said.

German cardinal, theologian called a "gifted mediator" dies at 81

March 12, 2018

VATICAN – Cardinal Karl Lehmann, longtime president of the German bishops' conference and a respected theologian who participated in the Second Vatican Council, died March 11.

New head of EU bishops' commission sets out to combat European populism

March 10, 2018

BRUSSELS – The new head of a commission representing Europe's Catholic bishops pledged to combat populism and promote European unity.