International News

News from outside of Canada.

Syriac patriarch says Western nations have betrayed Mideast Christians

November 23, 2015

BEIRUT - The head of the Syriac Catholic Church has accused Western governments of betraying Christians in the Middle East and said it was "a big lie" to suggest Islamic State could be defeated with airstrikes.

Catholics waking up to perils of climate change

November 22, 2015

Pope Francis has been getting ready for Paris for more than a year. In May of 2014 the Patriarch of Rome sat down in Jerusalem with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and issued a joint declaration as a challenge to the world’s Christians.

Church works to promote peace in Mexico's violent Guerrero state

November 21, 2015

ACAPULCO, Mexico - Fr. Adolfo Silva Pita celebrates a monthly memorial Mass for the deceased in a lower-middle-class neighbourhood on the outskirts of this tourist town, once famous for sun, fun and celebrities, but notorious now for drugs, crime and killings.

Manila protesters call for end to APEC

November 19, 2015

MANILA, Philippines - More than 500 protesters in Manila, including dozens of Catholic religious and other Christians, called for doing away with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Mexican priest found dead with possible signs of torture

November 19, 2015

MEXICO CITY - A Mexican priest has been found dead in the state of Puebla with possible signs of torture, four days after disappearing in mysterious circumstances.

Debate rises on whether Syrian refugees pose a threat

November 19, 2015

ROME - Some anti-immigrant and conservative leaders in both Europe and the United States say refugees arriving from Syria should be considered potential terrorists, and some suggest that requests for asylum should be vetted on the basis of religion.

Kenyan security officials on high alert for papal visit

November 18, 2015

NAIROBI, Kenya - A Kenyan bishop said the church is comfortable with the security preparations for the reception of Pope Francis, in the wake of the Paris attacks that appear to have targeted crowded areas.

Italian priest shot, treated at hospital in northern Bangladesh

November 18, 2015

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Unidentified assailants shot an Italian priest in northern Bangladesh Nov. 18, in the third attack on foreigners since late September.

Ghana's bishops urge citizens to fight environmental destruction

November 17, 2015

ACCRA, Ghana - Ghana's Catholic bishops called on Ghanaians to fight the indiscriminate destruction of the environment and supported a hands-on project to fight pollution.

Philippine church leaders: Don't let poor get forgotten at APEC summit

November 17, 2015

MANILA, Philippines - As world leaders started arriving in Manila Nov. 17 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit, church leaders voiced concern that the poor might be forgotten once again in the high-level meeting.