International News

News from outside of Canada.

Arkansas to appeal ruling that strikes down ban on same-sex marriage

May 14, 2014

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Arkansas became the first Southern state to issue marriage licences to gay couples May 9 when a state judge overturned a 10-year constitutional amendment that banned same-sex unions in the state.

Holy Land Christians hope Pope Francis’ visit might revive peace talks

May 13, 2014

BETHLEHEM, West Bank - With the last round of peace talks between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority stalled if not moribund, some are hoping that a scheduled visit by Pope Francis to the Holy Land in May will breathe new life into the peace process.

Patriarch wants Israelis to crack down on vandalism at religious sites

May 13, 2014

JERUSALEM - The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem called a continuing wave of vandalism against Christian, Muslim and Druze properties a "blight on Israeli democracy" and urged authorities to step up prosecution against the perpetrators.

Vatican threatens Jesuit theologian in India with censure

May 12, 2014

The Vatican is investigating a Jesuit theologian from India for allegedly espousing unorthodox beliefs, raising new questions about whether Pope Francis — the first Jesuit pope — is in fact moving the Catholic Church in a new direction.

Satanists to stage ‘black Mass’ at Harvard

May 11, 2014

A Harvard-affiliated student club will host a Satanic “black Mass” May 12 as part of an educational exercise, a stunt that the Archdiocese of Boston says “places participants dangerously close to destructive works of evil.”

Notre Dame signals welcome to gay athletes in new campaign

May 10, 2014

The Catholic Church in the United States has taken a lot of heat over its stance against gay rights and for policies that often bar openly gay people from participating in church life.

Holy Land churches mount awareness campaign in wake of hate graffiti

May 9, 2014

JERUSALEM - Ahead of Pope Francis’ Holy Land visit, the heads of Christian churches in the region plan to launch an international awareness campaign following a series of anti-Christian vandalism believed to have been carried out by Jewish extremists.

Bishops say despite violence, Ukraine's election must proceed

May 9, 2014

LVIV, Ukraine - Ukrainian Catholic bishops said their country's May 25 presidential election must proceed, despite any efforts to derail it.

Nigerian cardinal: Schoolgirls’ abduction is shameful

May 6, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The kidnapping of 300 teenage schoolgirls by the Islamist group Boko Haram has shamed Nigeria, Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan said May 7.

15,000 rally in Ireland, pledge to work for repeal of abortion law

May 5, 2014

DUBLIN - Pro-life campaigners in Ireland vowed to work for the repeal of a controversial abortion law introduced in 2013.