International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope prays for Spanish nun murdered in Haiti

September 5, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Remembering religious women who too often are the targets of violence around the world, Pope Francis led prayers for a Spanish sister murdered Sept. 2 in Haiti.

In Calcutta, joy, prayers and testimonies as Mother Teresa becomes saint

September 4, 2016

CALCUTTA, India – At Shishu Bhavan, children, the destitute, Missionaries of Charity nuns and novices sat silently, glued to the TV screen for the live telecast of the Vatican canonization ceremony of Mother Teresa.

Georgetown University seeks reconciliation for its slaveholding past

September 3, 2016

WASHINGTON– Georgetown University last year stripped from a building the name of one of its past presidents, a priest who authorized the sale of 272 women, children and men – slaves sold to save the university from financial ruin in 1838.

Coptic Catholic spokesman welcomes new Egyptian law on building churches

September 2, 2016

OXFORD, England – The Coptic Catholic Church has welcomed a new Egyptian law to facilitate the building of Christian places of worship.

Bishop in scandal-ridden Italian diocese resigns

September 2, 2016

VATICAN CITY – An Italian bishop who was a hero to traditionalist Catholics has resigned following a Vatican investigation into priests and seminarians accused of various scandals including posting naked photos on gay websites and sexually harassing parishioners.

New Jersey priest suspended for supporting gay groups

September 1, 2016

The Catholic archbishop in New Jersey has barred a gay priest from ministry because the cleric supports gay advocacy groups and has backed a Catholic high school counselor who was fired when church officials discovered the woman was in a same-sex marriage.

Son had 36 bruises; mom quoted Bible as defence

September 1, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana mother who beat her 7-year-old son with a coat hanger is citing the state’s religious freedom law as a defense against felony child abuse charges, saying her choice of discipline comes straight from her evangelical Christian beliefs.

An appeal to Pope Francis in Sudanese pastors’ espionage case

September 1, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – As the high-profile espionage trial of two evangelical pastors resumes in Khartoum, Sudan, this week, a human rights group is calling on Pope Francis to intervene on their behalf.

Pope welcomes deal with Colombian rebels

August 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has welcomed a groundbreaking deal reached between the Colombian government and rebels that promises to end more than 50 years of violent conflict.

Cardinal Lacroix: Church dedicated to mercy can help heal Americas

August 31, 2016

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – A church dedicated to carrying out acts of mercy can help heal countries in the Americas torn by war, economic struggles and cultural and political divisions, Quebec Cardinal Gerald Lacroix said at the conclusion of a regional gathering of church leaders in Colombia.