International News

News from outside of Canada.

Five hundred years after Reformation, future depends on healing wounds

October 27, 2017

If Martin Luther’s Reformation taught us anything, it’s that unity isn’t something that’s nice to have. It’s essential to the Church actually being the Church.

China's president seeks more control over religion

October 26, 2017

Beijing, China – President Xi Jinping of China announced this week that he wants to tighten Beijing’s strict government controls on religion in the communist country.

Pope says space station crew like a 'tiny U.N.'

October 26, 2017

VATICAN – One perk that comes with floating aboard the International Space Station is NASA arranges for occasional calls with celebrities to keep the astronauts' spirits high during their monthslong flights.

Undocumented teen has abortion, following court approval

October 26, 2017

Following the approval of a federal court, an undocumented teen girl in Texas has had an abortion, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Puerto Rico recovery effort shows 'a church that walks with the poor'

October 25, 2017

LAS MARIAS, Puerto Rico – By joining forces to create coalitions on behalf of those who are suffering in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico has been fulfilling Pope Francis' expressed wish to see "a church that walks with the poor."

Kenyan nuns work to educate voters before Oct. 26 election

October 25, 2017

NAIROBI, Kenya – When Kenyans go to the polls to elect a president Oct. 26, nuns from the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya will be prominent as poll observers. The sisters already have spent hours in voter education for the repeat election, set up after the nation's Supreme Court nullified an August vote.

Bishops fear any mention of Rohingya by Pope will bring 'chaos'

October 25, 2017

YANGON, MYANMAR – When Pope Francis visits Myanmar in late November, Church leaders will be listening nervously to his every word, specifically hoping they don’t hear the R-word.

Small museum in Pacific Northwest has world's largest rosary collection

October 24, 2017

STEVENSON, WASHINGTON – Travelers who happen upon a regional museum in Washington state are frequently surprised to find there the largest collection of rosaries in the world – according to no less an authority than "Ripley's Believe It or Not."

New app teaches blessings, how to pray in American Sign Language

October 23, 2017

VATICAN – When Sister Kathleen Schipani found out she was usually the very first person to teach deaf children to pray, she decided there had to be an app to fix that.

Report: Global persecution of Christians at historic high

October 20, 2017

New York City, N.Y. - Anti-Christian persecution is “worse than at any time in history” and in many cases genocide and other crimes against humanity “now mean that the Church in core countries and regions faces the possibility of imminent wipe-out,” says a new report from Aid to the Church in Need.