International News

News from outside of Canada.

Knights of Malta asked to elect temporary leader to replace grand master

April 26, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Members of the Knights of Malta about to elect a new permanent leader were asked instead to consider electing a lieutenant who would temporarily take the reins of the order.

Zambian bishops say people live in fear as police brutality increases

April 25, 2017

LUSAKA, Zambia – Zambians are living in fear as police brutality increases and the southern African country approaches dictatorship, Zambia's Catholic bishops said.

Pope to Egyptians: Let papal visit be sign of friendship, peace

April 25, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Praying that God would protect Egypt from all evil, Pope Francis told the nation's people that a world torn apart by indiscriminate violence needs courageous builders of peace, dialogue and justice.

Australian bishops: Assisted suicide is the opposite of health care

April 25, 2017

MELBOURNE, Australia – Proposals to legalize euthanasia in the Australian state of Victoria are based on “misplaced compassion,” the local bishops said.

Peruvians who lost everything in floods ask help to get Bibles

April 25, 2017

LIMA, Peru – Archbishop José Antonio Eguren of Piura and Tumbes, Peru visited the inhabitants of one of the areas most affected by the recent floods in northern Peru, who asked him to help them get some Bibles.

French bishops offer divided voters guidelines on presidential runoff

April 24, 2017

PARIS – A few hours after the announcement of the winners of the first round of the French presidential election, the French bishops' conference published a reflection on voting in the final round.

Tight security is 'new normal' as Pope heads to Egypt, says Vatican spokesperson

April 24, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Despite the ongoing risk of terrorism, Pope Francis planned to travel to Egypt as a sign of being close to the people there, said Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman.

Why Russia's ban on Jehovah's Witnesses is so troubling

April 24, 2017

MOSCOW, Russia – The Jehovah's Witnesses have been banned as an extremist group in a Thursday Supreme Court decision that observers feared signalled a further step back for religious liberty.

Portuguese businessman sends free Fatima statues throughout world

April 23, 2017

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Every time Jose Camara thinks his ministry is completed, somebody else needs a statue of Our Lady of Fatima to spread the devotion.

Amid influx of migrants, some Germans think their concerns are ignored

April 22, 2017

REGENSBURG, Germany – Amid rising social unrest and an influx of Mideast migrants, German authorities – including Catholic Church officials – are facing criticism from ordinary people who believe their concerns are being ignored.