International News

News from outside of Canada.

Franciscan priest to appear on Oprah Winfrey's 'Super Soul Sunday'

February 2, 2015

WASHINGTON - If you think somebody's famous because they've written scads of books on spirituality, traveled the world speaking about God's love, and have 150,000 people on a daily email list for meditations, then brace yourself for when that person sits down for a televised face-to-face interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Nigerian cardinal: Candidates must focus on issues, not smear tactics

February 2, 2015

LAGOS, Nigeria - The retired archbishop of Lagos called on candidates in Nigeria's Feb. 14 elections to focus on issues of importance to voters rather than on character assassination and smear tactics.

Chinese Bishop Shi, held in secret for years, dies at 94

February 2, 2015

HONG KONG - Bishop Cosmas Shi Enxiang of Yixian, 94, a member of the so-called underground Catholic Church who has not been seen since his arrest in 2001, has died, a relative said.

Chinese priest urges unity, sees government plan as way to divide church

February 2, 2015

MANILA, Philippines - The recent announcement of this year's working plans of the Chinese State Administration for Religious Affairs has driven a young priest from northern China to call church leaders to work for dialogue and reconciliation among Catholics in his country.

Pope to visit Balkan nation still scarred by ethnic divisions

February 2, 2015

VATICAN CITY - In an effort to help bolster a minority Catholic population and encourage dialogue and friendship among once-warring ethnic and religious communities, Pope Francis announced he would be visiting Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Ecumenism means theological dialogue, joint work for peace, Pope says

January 30, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Even as their theological dialogues continue in the search for full agreement on doctrinal issues, divided Christians are called to work together for justice and peace, especially in the Middle East, Pope Francis said.

Feed my sheep: Archbishops to receive palliums at home with their flock

January 29, 2015

VATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis celebrates the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in June, he will set aside an element that has been part of the Mass for the past 32 years; the Vatican confirmed he will not confer the pallium on new archbishops during the liturgy.

San Francisco priest bars altar girls, sparks another controversy

January 29, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO - A Catholic priest who recently took charge of a San Francisco parish has said only boys can be altar servers, a move that is sparking both criticism and praise and comes amid a wider debate over conservative concerns that the Catholic Church has become too “feminized.”

Archbishop welcomes Greece's new government, hopes for changes

January 29, 2015

WARSAW, Poland - A Greek Catholic leader welcomed his country's new anti-austerity government and predicted Catholics would benefit from changes.

Christian leaders meet in Lebanon, call for end to financing terrorists

January 28, 2015

BEIRUT - Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs called for an end to financing terrorists and suggested that borders be closed when necessary to prevent their movement.