International News

News from outside of Canada.

Encyclical named after St. Francis prayer to be released June 18

June 4, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Sii" (Praised Be), a line from St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of Creatures," will be released June 18, the Vatican press office announced.

San Francisco archbishop blasts gender transitions as threat to faith

June 3, 2015

NEW YORK - Amid the national buzz over transgender celebrity Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner, a leading culture warrior in the Catholic hierarchy on June 3 denounced the spread of “gender ideology” and warned that it threatens the very foundation of the Church’s faith.

Cardinal Ortega says Cubans await Pope with 'open arms'

June 3, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Cubans are waiting for Pope Francis "with open arms," said Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino of Havana.

Pope heads to Bosnia as 'brother messenger of peace'

June 2, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said he will dedicate his one-day visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina to encouraging a minority Catholic community in the faith, fostering ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, and calling for peace and harmony after the devastations of war.

Key figure in families meeting investigated for alleged misuse of funds

June 1, 2015

PHILADELPHIA - Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the head of the Pontifical Council for the Family and lead Vatican organizer of September's World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, is under investigation by Italian prosecutors for alleged embezzlement.

Christian teachers in northern Kenya stage walkout because of terrorist fears

May 31, 2015

NAIROBI, Kenya - Recent attacks by Somalia’s al-Shabab Muslim militant group have forced the closure of dozens of schools in Kenya’s north, as Christian teachers refuse to work because of security fears.

India’s Christians concerned about growing attacks on religious minorities

May 30, 2015

NEW DELHI - Each day, children on their way to Mount Carmel School pass through gates under the watch of armed security guards, and now city police officers who stop there on government orders after a nearby Catholic convent and school were broken into.

Bishops in eastern Congo say they face 'genocide ... Balkanization'

May 29, 2015

BUKAVU, Congo - Bishops from eastern Congo criticized the failure of their government and the United Nations to act against "genocide, jihadist fundamentalism and Balkanization" in the country, which is widely considered Africa's most Catholic.

Myanmar's cardinal urges end to hate speech, help for fleeing Rohingya

May 29, 2015

YANGON, Myanmar - Cardinal Charles Bo has asked the government of Myanmar to squelch hate speech and do more to help Rohingya refugees, many of whom have fled the country and are trapped at sea as countries refuse them entry.

UN inaction on nuclear weapons 'disappointing' to Catholic advocates

May 28, 2015

WASHINGTON- A month-long review of a key nuclear weapons treaty saw the nuclear powers stepping back from an opportunity to alter the status quo, much to the disappointment of Catholic peace advocates.