International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope Francis confirms continuing existence of Vatican bank

April 7, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, accepting the recommendations of his international Council of Cardinals and other advisory groups, has decided the Vatican bank will continue to exist and has approved a plan to increase its transparency and accountability.

Jesuit, who used YouTube to appeal for help for Homs, reportedly killed

April 7, 2014

ROME - A 75-year-old Dutch Jesuit who refused to leave wartorn Syria, instead staying in Homs to help the poor and homeless, was beaten by armed men and killed with two bullets to the head, according to an e-mail sent by the Jesuits' Middle East province to the Jesuit headquarters in Rome.

Ukraine revolution ‘spiritual,’ pitting good against evil

April 3, 2014

The Canadian-born superior of the Jesuits in Ukraine is in Brussels to make the case for Ukraine’s revolution — a revolution rooted in Christian, European and democratic ideals, he argues.

Chilean Caritas crews ready to respond after quake

April 3, 2014

SANTIAGO, Chile - A spokeswoman for Caritas Chile said crews were ready to respond to a massive earthquake in the northern part of the country, but the situation and damage remained uncertain.

HHS barred from enforcing mandate on Catholic entities in Georgia

April 3, 2014

ATLANTA - U.S. District Court Judge William Duffey Jr. has ruled that two organizations affiliated with the Atlanta Archdiocese — Catholic Charities Atlanta and Catholic Education of North Georgia Inc. — cannot be forced to comply with the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate.

From Beacon Hill to ‘Bishop Bling,’ clergy housing faces new scrutiny

April 3, 2014

Bye-bye, “Bishop Bling.” So long, “Pastor Perks.” The so-called “Francis effect” may be real, at least when it comes to clerical housing, and could be coming to a church near you.

Jordan transfers desert patch into new refugee camp for Syrians

March 28, 2014

AZRAQ, Jordan - This desolate dusty patch of desert near Jordan's borders with Syria and Iraq is soon to be home to the latest victims of Syria's three-year civil war.

Applications in limbo

March 28, 2014

Organizations that sponsor most of the refugees who come to Canada are still waiting to find out how many refugees each will be allowed to bring in this year.

Philippine cardinal praises both sides in peace deal for 'wisdom'

March 28, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines' newest cardinal was among 1,000 guests who witnessed the peace agreement between the government and the country's largest Muslim rebel group.

Achieve change, says abuse survivor

March 27, 2014

DUBLIN - The lone victim of clerical abuse nominated by Pope Francis to sit on the new Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said the commission must achieve concrete change in order to “show other survivors that the Church is going to get it right.”