International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope Francis asks cardinals to send message of support to suffering Ukrainians

February 21, 2014

VATICAN CITY - A day after at least 75 people were reported killed in clashes between police and protesters in Ukraine's capital, Pope Francis asked the College of Cardinals to send a message of support to the two Ukrainian cardinals who are suffering because their people are.

Misuse of Pakistan's blasphemy laws rampant

February 20, 2014

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Mohammad Asghar, a 69-year-old paranoid schizophrenic, faces a death sentence in Pakistan for claiming to be the Prophet Muhammad in letters written to officials and police in 2010.

Pope Francis, Ukrainian Church leaders call for end to violence in Ukraine

February 19, 2014

VATICAN CITY - After a night of violent confrontations between protesters and police and the deaths of more than two dozen people, Pope Francis and Ukrainian Church leaders called Feb. 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commitment to dialogue for the good of Ukraine.

Pharmacist sues over dismissal for not issuing contraceptive pill

February 19, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Tennessee pharmacist and a Baptist church deacon who lost his job after an ongoing dispute over selling Plan B contraception has sued his former bosses, claiming he was fired because of his religious beliefs.

U.S. nun, 84, to do hard time for nuclear plant break-in

February 19, 2014

An 84-year-old nun was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Feb. 18 for breaking into a Tennessee nuclear facility in 2012.

Pope Francis, cardinal advisors study Vatican financial, administrative offices

February 18, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis met for the third time in late February with his international Council of Cardinals, an eight-member group advising him on the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy and other issues.

Filipino woman who saved dozens wants to stay in Tacloban community she loves

February 17, 2014

Mention the name of Maria Rosevilla Margate and many of the residents of the community known as Barangay 54A nod approvingly. They know exactly where to find her.

Babe Ruth's first baseball field at Catholic school to be preserved in Baltimore

February 15, 2014

BALTIMORE - The baseball field where legendary slugger Babe Ruth learned to play the game is being preserved.

Spanish bishop says no abortions OK, even though conference backs bill

February 14, 2014

MADRID - A Spanish bishop urged medical personnel to stop performing all abortions, even though the church has backed new legislation that would still allow abortion in cases of rape.

Worldwide, Catholic bishop split on anti-gay laws

February 13, 2014

The Roman Catholic hierarchy has generally been viewed as a unified bloc in opposition to gay rights, but the emergence of especially punitive measures against gays in various countries has opened unusually stark and public fissures among bishops in different nations.