International News

News from outside of Canada.

Croatian bishops condemn war crimes verdicts

December 7, 2017

The president of Croatia’s bishops’ conference has condemned what he called “unjust verdicts” at a United Nations war crimes trial after a jailed former military leader publicly committed suicide when his appeal was rejected.

Priest latest victim of Philippines violence against poor workers, farmers

December 7, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – A day after police killed a Christian pastor they tagged as a member of the communist New People’s Army, gunmen killed a 72-year-old Catholic priest on the main Philippine island of Luzon.

Pope Francis: It's good for young people to study Latin

December 7, 2017

VATICAN – In a message to the Pontifical Academies on Tuesday, Pope Francis praised the study of Latin, especially for young people, and encouraged scholars and teachers to promote its study as a positive guide for students as they navigate life.

Pope prays for Honduras as election crisis turns deadly

December 7, 2017

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – A contested national election in Honduras has enflamed a civil crisis, leading Pope Francis to pray on Sunday for Hondurans to “peacefully overcome the current difficult moment.”

Convent sale controversy ends in favour of LA archdiocese, Katy Perry

December 7, 2017

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – This week, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and singer Katy Perry were awarded a joint $10 million sum for punitive damages over a church-owned hilltop property which was illegally sold to a developer in 2015 after the archdiocese had accepted an initial offer from Perry.

Mideast Christian leaders to Trump: Jerusalem move could have dire results

December 6, 2017

JERUSALEM – In an open letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, Christian leaders in Jerusalem said U.S. recognition of the city as the capital of Israel could have dire regional consequences.

Pope concerned by U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

December 6, 2017

VATICAN – Following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pope Francis expressed his concern that such a move would further destabilize the Middle East.

Court seems divided in cake case examining religious rights, expression

December 6, 2017

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court seemed equally divided in the long-anticipated oral arguments Dec. 5 about the baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because of his religious beliefs.

Pope's letter to Argentine bishops on 'Amoris Laetitia' part of official record

December 5, 2017

VATICAN – Describing them as "authentic magisterium," Pope Francis ordered the official publication of his letter to a group of Argentine bishops and their guidelines for the interpretation of "Amoris Laetitia," his apostolic exhortation on the family.

32 Catholic fishermen dead, hundreds missing as typhoon Ockhi hits India

December 5, 2017

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India – A typhoon that rapidly developed on the southern Indian coast claimed the lives of at least 32 poor Catholic fishermen who were at sea and another 200 more were missing.