International News

News from outside of Canada.

Philippine priest says Duterte's win is reminder 'people want change'

May 12, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's win in May 9 national elections was "a strong reminder that people want change," said Fr. Anton Pascual, president of Radio Veritas, the country's largest Catholic radio network.

Pope to set up commission to study women deacons

May 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis told the heads of women's religious orders from around the world that he would set up a commission to study the New Testament deaconesses and he also insisted more can and should be done to involve lay and consecrated women in church decision-making at every level.

Jesuit Refugee Service urging Kenya to reconsider closing refugee camps

May 11, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – Jesuit Refugee Service has urged Kenya to reconsider its plans to close camps that host hundreds of thousands of Somali and South Sudanese refugees.

Nigerian scientist to MPs: Bringing abortion to Africa reeks of 'cultural imperialism'

May 11, 2016

OTTAWA – Canadian plans to export abortion to Africa “reeks of colonialization and it reeks of cultural imperialism,” a Nigerian scientist told a gathering of MPs and senators.

PM urged to hold Canadian mining companies to account for abuses

May 11, 2016

OTTAWA – The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to heed a letter from more than 160 Latin American organizations that has raised concerns about the operations of Canadian mining companies abroad.

Get up, be faithful to God, Philippine bishops' head says after election

May 11, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The head of the Philippine bishops' conference said it was time to "get up" and be faithful to God, as millions of Filipinos elected Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte president.

Vatican funds job-creation project for refugees in Jordan

May 10, 2016

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican is funding a job-creation program for Iraqi refugees in Jordan, a country that is hosting close to 1.5 million refugees, but is struggling to provide work for them.

French government battles intolerance with new public relations campaign

May 10, 2016

PARIS – On a sunny spring morning, an 18-year-old college student wrapped a scarf around her head to feel what it would be like to wear a veil.

Christian, Muslim leaders say religion can 'humanize' society

May 9, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Catholic and Muslim leaders meeting in Rome said religion can humanize and civilize communities when followers actually adhere to their faith's teachings about loving God and neighbor.

Health care is a right, not a privilege, Pope says

May 9, 2016

VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church is not a fancy medical clinic for the rich, but a "field hospital" that – often literally – provides the only medical care some people will ever receive, Pope Francis said.