International News

News from outside of Canada.

Sainthood cause for Focolare founder Chiara Lubich formally begins

January 28, 2015

FRASCATI, Italy - Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, "lit a new light in the Church's journey toward unity," Pope Francis said.

Catholics join in marking 70th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation

January 28, 2015

WARSAW, Poland - Catholic leaders joined in commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, where 1.2 million mostly Jewish prisoners were killed by the Nazis during the Second World War.

U.S. bishops' group travels to Iraq, meets with those who fled ISIS

January 27, 2015

AINKAWA, Iraq - One of Iraq's Christians chased out of her historic homeland quietly prayed the rosary as a bishop who traveled halfway around the world to meet her and others displaced celebrated Mass for them.

First female bishop ordained in Church of England amid ongoing controversies

January 27, 2015

CANTERBURY, England - More than 1,000 people watched as Uganda-born Archbishop of York John Sentamu, laid hands on the Rev. Libby Lane Monday (Jan. 26), making her the eighth bishop of Stockport and the first woman bishop in the Church of England.

CNEWA officials look at long-range needs of Lebanon's refugees

January 26, 2015

BEIRUT - Officials of a pontifical aid agency said they saw much that needed done in Lebanon -- if they could get beyond crisis mode.

Jesuits say violence continues South African history of xenophobia

January 26, 2015

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - A week of violence targeting foreign nationals and their businesses in Soweto and other Johannesburg townships is a national disgrace and "continues South Africa's shameful history of xenophobia," said The Jesuit Institute South Africa.

Persecuted for faith, Christians are united in bloodshed, Pope says

January 26, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Christians are united in bloodshed as they suffer from violence and persecution in various parts of the world, Pope Francis told Christian leaders.

Archbishop says church in Niger will rebuild after riots

January 26, 2015

OXFORD, England - An archbishop in Niger said the church would rebuild after rioters destroyed its places of worship during protests over cartoons mocking depictions of Muhammad by the French satirical newsweekly Charlie Hebdo.

Increase in sex trafficking expected during Super Bowl, golf tournaments

January 26, 2015

PHOENIX - Catholic Charities of Arizona is preparing to serve an increased number of sex-trafficking victims arrested by local police in the days surrounding Super Bowl Sunday.

Non-Catholics choose Catholic schools for values, not just academics

January 25, 2015

ARLINGTON, Va. - When Felicia and Ethan Carr began searching for a high school for their eldest son, they wanted a school with a top-notch college preparatory program. But the Carrs, who are Baptist, sought something else as well.