International News

News from outside of Canada.

California assisted suicide bill appears dead for 2015

July 8, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO - The primary sponsors of legislation legalizing physician-assisted suicide pulled the bill hours before a state Assembly hearing July 7, with its authors saying the bill was dead for this year.

English, Welsh bishops launch initiative for 'missionary parishes'

July 8, 2015

LONDON - Catholic bishops in England and Wales hope to establish evangelization teams to transform about 5,000 churches into "missionary parishes."

Educate young to care for others, for the earth, Pope tells teachers

July 8, 2015

QUITO, Ecuador - Education is a right and a privilege that should impart not only knowledge and skills, but also a sense of responsibility for others and for the earth, Pope Francis told representatives of Ecuadorean schools and universities.

Building unity in church, society is key to evangelization, Pope says

July 7, 2015

QUITO, Ecuador - Catholics will never be effective evangelizers if they are squabbling among themselves, and they cannot show the world how faith in Christ responds to the human yearning for freedom and peace if they are divided, Pope Francis said.

Same-sex votes show society abandoning Christian foundations

July 7, 2015

CORK, Ireland - The outcome of May's same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland and the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court on the same issue clearly show the extent to which Western society is abandoning many of its Christian legal foundations, said Australian Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Vatican's Secretariat for the Economy.

Families need prayers, mercy, courage, including from synod, Pope says

July 6, 2015

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador - Even if a pastoral proposal for helping a Catholic family with problems seems scandalous at first, it is possible God could use that proposal to bring healing and holiness, Pope Francis said.

Pope expected to pray in Jesuit Ecuador church, known as 'Baroque icon'

July 6, 2015

QUITO, Ecuador - When Pope Francis enters the Jesuit church here July 7 for a moment of private prayer, he will step into an architectural gem where trees once grew up through the floor.

Israeli couple finds 2000-year-old Jewish ritual bath

July 6, 2015

JERUSALEM - An Israeli family experienced the surprise of a lifetime when, during a home renovation, workers discovered a 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath, called a mikvah.

Oklahoma Supreme Court rules Ten Commandments monument must go

July 6, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered a Ten Commandments monument removed from the state Capitol grounds June 30, three years after its installation sparked a religious feud.

Pope in Ecuador says countries owe debt to the poor

July 6, 2015

QUITO, Ecuador - Although still thousands of miles from his birthplace in Argentina, Pope Francis made a homecoming of sorts July 5 when he landed in Ecuador, greeted by cheering crowds and the sights and sounds of South America.