International News

News from outside of Canada.

Brazilian priest cited in "Spotlight" commits suicide in prison

August 10, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO – A Brazilian priest mentioned in Spotlight, the Oscar-winning film about clergy sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston, committed suicide Aug. 7 in his cell.

Islamic State might get ousted, but Christians still worry about safety

August 9, 2016

AINKAWA, Iraq – Iraqi Christians appear divided about whether they will be able to return home after Islamic State militants are flushed out of the battle-scarred Ninevah Plains region. They say their safety must be guaranteed at all costs.

Irish Bishop Edward Daly, Bloody Sunday priest, dies at 82

August 9, 2016

DUBLIN – Bishop Edward Daly of Derry, known for his tireless advocacy for peace and reconciliation during decades of sectarian tension in Northern Ireland, died in a hospital in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Aug. 8.

Priests send prayers, support for Mexican mudslide victims

August 9, 2016

MEXICO CITY – A priest in the Mexican state of Puebla said parish and archdiocesan officials are attempting to assess the needs of isolated and impoverished pockets of eastern Mexico, which were hit hard with heavy rains and mudslides, leaving at least 40 dead and dozens of settlements incommunicado.

Florida races to stem Zika spread, offer pregnant women testing

August 8, 2016

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida residents, officials and health care leaders have their hands full this summer containing the Zika virus outbreak, which prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue its first domestic travel advisory.

New Zika infection fears spark renewed debate on abortion, birth control

August 8, 2016

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – With a growing number of U.S. travelers returning from abroad with the Zika virus and with several cases of Zika-related microcephaly and birth defects reported in the U.S., the disease has inflamed the abortion debate domestically.

Innocent people pay the price for war in Syria, Pope says at Angelus

August 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Innocent men, women and children are paying the ultimate price in the continuing conflict raging in Syria, especially in Aleppo, where they are caught in the crossfire between rebel and government forces, Pope Francis said.

Pope praises witness of 10 athletes on Refugee Olympic Team

August 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY – In a personal message addressed to each of the 10 members of the new Refugee Olympic Team, Pope Francis wished them success in their events and thanked them for the witness they are giving the world.

Pakistani church deplores suicide blast at Quetta hospital

August 8, 2016

NEW DELHI – The Catholic Church in Pakistan has condemned a suicide blast at a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, where at least 70 people – many of them lawyers and journalists – were killed and more than 120 injured.

Top Catholic bishops criticize Biden for officiating at gay marriage

August 8, 2016

When Vice President Joe Biden last week tweeted a photo of himself proudly officiating at the same-sex civil wedding of two White House staffers, it quickly became fodder for news stories and commentary both pro and con — the latter by religious conservatives who thought Biden was betraying his Catholic faith and deserved a rebuke.