International News

News from outside of Canada.

Ukraine Church leader seeks prayers of solidarity

February 13, 2014

WASHINGTON - Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych, Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, capped a week-long visit to the United States by asking all people of goodwill to join Ukrainian Catholics in prayer to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine.

Church workers rejoice, recall challenges as India declared polio-free

February 11, 2014

KOTTAYAM, India - As the World Health Organization declared India "polio-free" Feb. 11, church health workers celebrated and reflected on the challenges they faced convincing parents to allow their children to get the vaccine.

Pope Francis clears way for beatification of 124 Korean martyrs

February 10, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of 124 Catholics who were killed during widespread persecution in Korea in the 18th through 19th centuries.

Prayer and protest converge in Ukraine

February 9, 2014

Canadians are understandably disturbed that anonymous, state-supported thugs can kidnap, beat, mutilate and crucify a protest leader in Ukraine, but they should also think of the terror faced by ordinary citizens, Ukrainian Catholics told The Catholic Register.

Syrians fleeing to Jordan say Homs residents starving from lack of food

February 6, 2014

MAFRAQ, Jordan - Syrians fleeing to neighboring Jordan from the besieged central city of Homs said some people there are starving to death for lack of food.

Police recover stolen relic of Blessed John Paul II

February 6, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Less than a week after a relic of Blessed John Paul II disappeared from a country chapel east of Rome, Italian police recovered the venerated piece of fabric stained with the late pope’s blood.

Scotland passes same-sex marriage law, with opt-in for religious groups

February 6, 2014

EDINBURGH, Scotland - The Scottish Parliament has passed a bill that will allow same-sex marriages to be performed later this year, but religious organizations have the right not to perform them.

Only Pope can save 'totally broken' Syria

February 5, 2014

OTTAWA - Despite millions of dollars in aid, Syria is "totally broken" and needs a worldwide mobilization to end the suffering, said Carl Hétu, national secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association of Canada.

Church in Ukraine needs support to ensure a peaceful outcome

February 4, 2014

OTTAWA - The Church in Ukraine needs support in its vital role in ensuring dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness as the country remains in turmoil, said CNEWA Canada national secretary Carl Hétu.

Queen Elizabeth to visit Pope Francis at Vatican on April 3

February 4, 2014

MANCHESTER, England - The Queen of England will visit Pope Francis at the Vatican in April, Buckingham Palace announced.