International News

News from outside of Canada.

Italy’s Catholic bishops denounce court ruling that OK’d sperm donors

June 11, 2014

ROME - Italy’s Catholic bishops have condemned a court ruling that lifts a ban on married couples using sperm donors for artificial insemination, likening the move to playing God.

Christians among 500,000 fleeing Mosul after Islamist forces seize city

June 11, 2014

BEIRUT - Church leaders in northern Iraq struggled to find shelter for Christians who were among hundreds of thousands who fled Mosul, the country's second-largest city, after Islamist forces took over much of the town, a Chaldean Catholic archbishop said.

Ukrainian Catholic bishops thank world for prayers during transition

June 10, 2014

KIEV, Ukraine - Ukrainian Catholic bishops thanked people around the world for their prayers over the last six months and asked for continued prayers for peace in their country.

Too early to confirm 2025 Orthodox-Catholic summit

June 8, 2014

VATICAN CITY - A Vatican spokesman said it’s premature to suggest a gathering between Catholic and Orthodox faiths to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the first Church council held in Nicea in 325.

Vatican tempers expectations for Israeli-Palestinian peace prayer

June 7, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' June 8 meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents will be a religious, not a political, occasion and should not raise hopes for immediate resumption of peace talks between the two nations, said the principal co-ordinator of the gathering.

Pope remembers 'heavy sacrifice' of Allied forces on D-Day

June 6, 2014

VATICAN CITY - People must continue to recognize the sacrifice of the Allied soldiers who liberated Europe from "Nazi barbarism," but also should not forget the German soldiers "dragged into this drama," Pope Francis said.

Irish archbishop adds voice to those calling for investigation of septic tank burials

June 5, 2014

Updated 06/09/14 LONDON - The Roman Catholic archbishop of Dublin, regarded as among the most influential church leaders in England and Ireland, has added his voice to those calling for an urgent inquiry into the discovery of nearly 800 babies and children buried in a septic tank at Tuam, a home for unwed mothers in western Ireland.

Afghan security arrests man in connection with Jesuit priest kidnapping

June 5, 2014

ROME - Security forces in Afghanistan arrested a man in connection with the kidnapping of a Jesuit priest from India.

Ireland investigates report of babies buried at former religious home

June 5, 2014

DUBLIN - The Irish government established a working group to address details emerging about Catholic-run, state-funded mother-and-baby homes and the burial of deceased children.

In unusual step, Mexican priest accused of abuse faces criminal charges

June 5, 2014

MEXICO CITY - A priest in north central Mexico has been stripped of his position by the Vatican and faces criminal charges in connection with alleged sexual abuse of a teenage boy.