International News

News from outside of Canada.

U.S. bishops speak out against attack in Turkey

June 29, 2016

WASHINGTON – Following the June 28 terrorist attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport in Turkey, the president of the U.S. bishops' conference and Chicago's archbishop issued statements emphasizing the need to find comfort in faith and show support the suffering with prayer and generosity.

Action on gun violence is a respect life issue in the eyes of some

June 29, 2016

WASHINGTON – In the first 181 days of 2016, there have been 163 mass shootings in the United States, data gathered by the Washington-based nonprofit Gun Violence Archive show.

Pope Francis prays for peace following Turkey terrorist attack

June 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis led pilgrims in praying for peace and for the victims of a terrorist attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport in Turkey.

English bishops condemn rise in xenophobic attacks after Brexit vote

June 28, 2016

MANCHESTER, England – Catholic bishops condemned a sharp rise in xenophobic and racist attacks following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Suicide bombers hit predominantly Christian Lebanese village near border

June 28, 2016

BEIRUT – Suicide bombers attacked a predominantly Christian village in northeast Lebanon twice in one day, and residents called on the government to support them, saying Islamic State fighters were holed up on the outskirts of town.

European Church leaders fear Brexit will fracture unity

June 28, 2016

OXFORD, England – European Catholic leaders are concerned that the decision by United Kingdom voters to leave the European Union will threaten unity across the continent, but also cautioned the EU bloc to rethink its values and priorities.

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions

June 28, 2016

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court delivered its most significant ruling on abortion in a generation Monday (June 27), striking down restrictions on Texas clinics and doctors that threatened to make the procedure more difficult for women to access.

Catholic agencies second only to UN in providing aid to Iraq and Syria

June 27, 2016

OTTAWA – Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada national director Carl Hetu reports Catholic aid agencies contributed $150 million in 2015 to help the people of Iraq and Syria.

Despite fractured Holy Council, Orthodox churches want meeting to become regular

June 27, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Although they did not manage to convince all the Orthodox churches to send representatives to the Great and Holy Council in Crete, participating Orthodox leaders supported the idea that the council should become a regular institution and meet every seven to 10 years.

Christians should apologize for helping marginalize gays, Pope says

June 27, 2016

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ARMENIA – Catholics and other Christians not only must apologize to the gay community, they must ask forgiveness of God for ways they have discriminated against homosexual persons or fostered hostility toward them, Pope Francis said.