International News

News from outside of Canada.

Munich abuse report accuses Benedict; Vatican to study document

January 20, 2022

MUNICH -- A law firm's report on how abuse cases were handled in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising incriminated retired Pope Benedict XVI, with lawyers accusing him of misconduct in four cases during his tenure as Munich archbishop.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear praying coach’s appeal

January 19, 2022

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court announced Jan. 14 it would hear an appeal from a former high school football coach in Washington state who says his rights to freedom of speech and religion were violated when he was fired in 2015 for praying on the football field after team games.

Appeals court sends challenge to Texas abortion law to state Supreme Court

January 18, 2022

WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court sent a challenge to the Texas abortion law back to the state's Supreme Court Jan. 17.

Polish diocese apologizes after abuse comment

January 18, 2022

WARSAW, Poland -- A Polish diocese apologized after its lawyer suggested a former altar server could have enjoyed being sexually molested by a priest, as a spokesman for victims warned the church still had "a long way to go" in combating abuse.

German canon lawyer: Wait for abuse report before casting blame

January 14, 2022

MUNICH -- As Germans await publication of a report on how leaders of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising handled cases of historic abuse, a canon lawyer casts doubt on accusations against retired Pope Benedict XVI over possible negligence.

India’s change of plan sees Missionaries of Charity able to access foreign funds

January 12, 2022

NEW DELHI -- The Indian government has restored the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act registration of the Missionaries of Charity, clearing the decks for the globally renowned charity to receive and utilize foreign funds, reported ucanews.com.

Pope, cardinal offer condolences to victims of Bronx fire

January 10, 2022

WASHINGTON -- Pope Francis issued condolences to families of those killed in an Jan. 9 apartment building blaze in the Bronx that killed 17 people, including eight children.

A life of hope and justice: Archbishop Desmond Tutu

January 5, 2022

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s compassion and sense of humour, as well as his commitment to justice and processes of peace, were among the many reasons he was an icon, said Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg.

China forbids foreigners from spreading religious content online

January 4, 2022

In the U.S.-China rivalry that involves a complex mix of diplomacy, trade wars and sanctions, religion has come under increased pressure after the communist regime banned online propagation of religion by foreign nationals, purportedly to make religion more Chinese-oriented.

Catholics hold funeral after Myanmar massacre; attacks continue

January 3, 2022

YANGON, Myanmar -- For Christians in Chin and Kayah states, there were no Christmas and New Year celebrations due to fighting. They have borne the brunt of a decades-old civil war and faced oppression and persecution at the hands of the military, reported ucanews.com.