International News

News from outside of Canada.

Dublin archbishop appalled by delay in applying child safety guidelines

February 12, 2015

DUBLIN - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin said he would seek assurances from religious congregations operating in his diocese that they are rigidly following child protection guidelines after a fresh round of audits raised serious concerns.

Anticipation building for papal encyclical on environment

February 11, 2015

WASHINGTON - The much-anticipated encyclical by Pope Francis on the environment, expected sometime this spring or early summer, is generating a lot of buzz in Washington and elsewhere.

Pope calls for solidarity with migrants after deadly sea crossing

February 11, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis once again urged solidarity with migrants who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea for Europe, and assured prayers for the victims of a deadly crossing in early February.

Jordanians hope death of pilot, U.S. aid worker, can still yield good

February 11, 2015

AMMAN, Jordan - As Jordan steps up airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria to avenge the murder of its pilot, Catholic and other leaders are hoping that the tragedy can still yield good for the future.

Iraq needs U.S. boots on the ground

February 10, 2015

LONDON - A Chaldean Catholic archbishop called for the redeployment of American and British troops in Iraq to prevent the “genocide” of Christians and other minorities by Islamic State militants.

Thaw' in U.S.-Cuba relations due to prayer, dialogue, says Cuban cardinal

February 10, 2015

ROME - The move to normalize relations between Cuba and the United States has inaugurated "a new time ... for encounter and dialogue" between the two countries and is cause for great hope, said the cardinal of Havana.

Caritas aiming to end global hunger, poverty by 2025

February 9, 2015

WASHINGTON - Caritas Internationalis is going big-picture with its first global campaign, aiming to end hunger worldwide by 2025.

Cardinal Muller says Curia reform should stimulate reform of Church

February 9, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Throughout history, the Catholic Church has reviewed and reformed its structures to free them from "a worldly mentality and earthly models of the exercise of power," leading to a necessary spiritual renewal, said the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Bishops' accountability is key concern for Pope's child protection commission

February 9, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Bishops who do not comply with the child protection norms adopted by their bishops' conferences and approved by the Vatican must face real consequences, said Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Indian Christians arrested during protest outside New Delhi cathedral

February 6, 2015

BANGALORE, India - Church leaders criticized police manhandling of Christians who gathered Feb. 5 at the gate of Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi to protest recent attacks on churches.