International News

News from outside of Canada.

Philippines bishops: Trust in God, not Duterte's deadly drug war

February 9, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – Though the Philippines president has professed a willingness to go “to hell” to win his deadly war on drugs, the country’s bishops have said Catholics must speak out against its evils.

Former Boston priest once jailed for sex abuse now faces more charges

February 9, 2017

AUGUSTA, Maine – A former priest previously convicted of sex abuse of an altar boy was indicted on 29 counts of sexual misconduct involving two other boys during his time as a priest based in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Vatican defends decision to invite China to organ-trafficking summit

February 8, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has defended its decision to invite China to an organ trafficking summit after an outcry from medical experts and ethicists about the country’s record of using executed prisoners as organ donors.

Outpour of support for immigrant Massgoers after verbal attack

February 8, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – Father Raul Marquez had never seen anything like it. Eight men walked to the front door of St. Peter Church in Southeast Portland Jan. 29 and began bellowing during the Spanish Mass.

U.S. bishops urge Trump to protect religious freedom

February 8, 2017

WASHINGTON – Saying “religious freedom in America has suffered years of unprecedented erosion,” U.S. Catholic bishops have posted an online letter for Catholics to send to President Donald Trump urging him to sign an executive order promoting religious freedom.

Experts tell Australian abuse panel church must look at clerical culture

February 7, 2017

SYDNEY – Catholic experts told an Australian government commission that the church needed to re-examine its culture of clericalism if it wanted to help put an end to clergy sexual abuse.

A meeting between Pope Francis and Donald Trump might be on the horizon

February 7, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis could be meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at as early as the end of May.

New gender policy won't affect Catholic Scouting units, says committee

February 7, 2017

IRVING, Texas – The Boy Scouts of America's new policy to accept members based on their gender identity will have no impact on Scouting units sponsored by the Catholic Church, said the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Don't move U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, bishops ask new Secretary of State

February 7, 2017

WASHINGTON – The Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires wise U.S. engagement to build a better future for both peoples, and this future could be endangered by an embassy relocation, the U.S. Catholic bishops told the new Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.

Australia's sex abuse commission: 7 per cent of priests were alleged perpetrators

February 6, 2017

SYDNEY – Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse kicked off a three-week "Catholic wrapup," expected to discuss the church's theology and doctrine, structure and governance, including the role of the Vatican and canon law, and issues like celibacy, confession and more.