International News

News from outside of Canada.

Catholic leaders react to House bill to repeal, replace Obamacare

March 8, 2017

WASHINGTON – Calling health care "a vital concern for nearly every person in the country," the U.S. Catholic bishops said March 8 they will be reviewing closely a measure introduced in the House March 6 to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Four nuns killed when truck hits van in Ethiopia

March 8, 2017

NEW YORK – Four Daughters of St. Anne sisters – including the provincial superior – were killed in a crash about 80 miles south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Catholic Near East Welfare Association reported.

U.K. church leaders: Pharmacists could be forced to dispense lethal drugs

March 8, 2017

MANCHESTER, England – The British Catholic Church has predicted that pharmacists could be forced to dispense lethal drugs under plans to prohibit conscientious objection on the grounds of religion.

The death penalty doesn't solve problems, archbishop tells UN

March 8, 2017

GENEVA, Switzerland – The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations reiterated the Vatican’s defence of all human life in a meeting with UN Human Rights Council on the death penalty.

Bishop rejects South Sudan president's day of prayer as a political move

March 8, 2017

JUBA, South Sudan – The call by South Sudan's president for a national day of prayer was met with derision by one of the country's bishops, who called it a “political prayer” and a mockery.

With passage in House, Philippines poised to reinstate death penalty

March 7, 2017

The Philippines stands poised to reinstate the death penalty after it was put on hold 11 years ago. The church in the Philippines, which has grown more vocal in recent months, continues to oppose the measure that passed the Philippine House on the third and final reading March 7 and is widely expected to move quickly through the Senate. This latest version specifically targets drug crimes.

D&P’s aid work given three-year $28.5M boost by Global Affairs Canada

March 7, 2017

A $28.5 million vote of confidence from the federal government will help the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace deliver aid to refugees and war-affected Syrians, Iraqis and others over the next three years.

Initial reaction to Trump's new refugee ban ranges from concern to opposition

March 7, 2017

WASHINGTON – Within hours of President Donald Trump's new executive order March 6 banning arrivals from six majority-Muslim nations, Catholic and other religious groups joined secular leaders in questioning the wisdom of such a move, with others vowing to oppose it outright.

Minnesota diocese, facing 100-plus sex abuse lawsuits, files for bankruptcy

March 7, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Facing over one hundred lawsuits concerning sex abuse claims dating back to the 1950s, the Diocese of New Ulm has filed for bankruptcy and plans a reorganization.

Indian Catholics still pray for release of Salesian kidnapped in Yemen

March 7, 2017

COCHIN, India – A year after an Indian priest was abducted by suspected Islamic militants in Yemen, Catholics in his home state of Kerala are still praying for his release, reported ucanews.com.