International News

News from outside of Canada.

Biden receives high Catholic honour despite pro-abortion stance

May 16, 2016

Vice President Joseph Biden stood at the University of Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony on Sunday (May 15) with a medal signifying American Catholicism’s highest honor slung on a blue velvet rope around his neck.

Pope’s visit to Armenian genocide memorial may strain tensions with Turkey

May 15, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will visit the Armenian Genocide memorial complex during a three-day visit to the country in June, a move that may strain the Vatican’s diplomatic relations with Turkey.

Increasing Jewish settlements cause unease in Jerusalem's Old City

May 15, 2016

JERUSALEM – On a tidy residential street of the Christian Quarter of the Old City, boys still play with marbles along the cobblestones, and neighbours call out to one another from balconies abloom with red carnations.

Bishop ordains father, son as deacons in a first for Green Bay Diocese

May 15, 2016

PULASKI, Wis. – When David Parker informed his eldest child, Legionary Brother David Parker Jr., that he was pursuing the diaconate again, the son had a question for his father: "How many years do you have in formation?"

Economy of exclusion, inequality caused growth of poverty, Pope says

May 14, 2016

VATICAN CITY – An economic vision geared solely toward profit and material well-being has led to an economy of exclusion and inequality that has increased poverty and the number of people discarded "as unproductive and useless," Pope Francis said.

Order in the court: 'VatiLeaks' trial testifies to unique legal process

May 14, 2016

VATICAN CITY – The latest "VatiLeaks" trial seemed to have all the makings of a classic courtroom thriller: financial scandal, secrets leaked by an insider and journalists defending their right to blow the whistle on allegations of corruption within a state that is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope did not say he'd ordain women deacons, spokesman says

May 13, 2016

VATICAN CITY – After some news outlets reported the Pope was considering ordaining women deacons and comments were made about women deacons leading to women priests, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi clarified the Pope’s comments May 13.

Cardinal Pell: Laypeople a bridge between Church and the world

May 13, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Laypeople are called to be a bridge between the Church and the world, particularly in matters of finance where "clerics simply do not have that high level of expertise that can only come from highly competent and dedicated professionals," said Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.

Bill would prohibit making religion basis for anyone to enter U.S.

May 13, 2016

WASHINGTON – Talk in the U.S. presidential campaign about restricting entry of Muslims into the United States has some religious leaders concerned that the country's religious liberty heritage is under threat.

Italy's civil unions bill a defeat for family, democracy, bishop says

May 12, 2016

ROME – The Italian government's approval of a controversial bill that grants legal recognition to non-married heterosexual and homosexual couples is a defeat for democracy and family life, an Italian bishop said.