International News

News from outside of Canada.

Closure of Kenyan refugee camp worries religious leaders

June 21, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – Religious leaders and humanitarian activists are urging the government to treat the mostly Muslim Somali migrants who are facing expulsion from the Dadaab refugee camp with dignity.

Maronite bishops call for maintaining Christian presence in Middle East

June 20, 2016

BEIRUT – Maronite Catholic bishops from around the world warned against plans to partition the Middle East and urged Christians to stand firm and to preserve co-existence with Muslims.

Renew efforts to build peace, help refugees, Pope says

June 20, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Assist and accompany refugees while working to build peace in the world, Pope Francis urged on the eve of World Refugee Day.

Martyrs are witnesses of faith, not just victims of genocide, Pope says

June 20, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Using the word "genocide" to describe the persecution of Christians in the Middle East risks downplaying the courage and witness of those who boldly profess faith in Jesus Christ even in the face of death, Pope Francis said.

Pope offers prayers as pan-Orthodox council opens on Crete

June 20, 2016

VATICAN CITY – As the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church opened with only 10 of the 14 Orthodox churches represented, Pope Francis offered his prayers.

Muslim attitudes about LGBT are complex, and far from universally anti-gay

June 18, 2016

As one of a tiny number of openly gay imams in the world, Daayiee Abdullah has felt the sting of rebuke from fellow Muslims. No good Muslim can be gay, they say. And traditional schools of Islamic law consider homosexuality a grave sin.

Orlando shooting victim described as compassionate young man

June 17, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. – As a youth minister, Michelle Murphy has established strong bonds with many of her youths, especially the ones she met during her first year working at All Souls parish in Sanford. She lovingly refers to them as her "cornerstone youths."

Francis builds on ecumenical progress with Armenians

June 17, 2016

TORONTO – In a country that is more than 90-per-cent Orthodox, the biggest event in Armenia this year will be a three-day visit by Pope Francis.

Parish reaches out to Nebraska family after deadly alligator attack

June 17, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. – Members of St. Patrick parish in Elkhorn prayed June 16 for Lane Graves, a two-year-old boy killed in an alligator attack in Florida, his father and mother, Matthew and Melissa, and sister, four-year-old Ella, during a regularly scheduled morning Mass and special rosary.

Patriarch urges Orthodox leaders to attend Holy Council

June 17, 2016

ROME – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople called on his brother patriarchs and primates of the Orthodox churches to honour their commitments and join him for the Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church.