International News

News from outside of Canada.

Syrian crisis threatens to destabilize region

November 24, 2013

OTTAWA - The crisis in Syria is worsening and threatens to destabilize the whole region as winter approaches, said Carl Hétu, general secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association Canada.

A perfect storm for child predators

November 24, 2013

VATICAN CITY - An Irish missionary in the Philippines warned that the chaos and hunger in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan provide the perfect setup for child traffickers.

In Central African Republic, thousands turn to bishop for protection

November 21, 2013

WASHINGTON - More than 35,000 people are living on the 40-acre diocesan compound in Bossangoa, Central African Republic, seeking protection from rebels who are targeting Christians, said the local bishop.

Mass graves, no food: Church aid workers see great needs in Philippines

November 20, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Nearly two weeks after Super Typhoon Haiyan tore through the central Philippines, Catholic aid workers were seeing great needs.

Nuns help debrief stressed typhoon victims arriving in Manila

November 18, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The grandstand of Villamor Air Base was buzzing with teams of workers trying to help people displaced by the super typhoon that struck the central Philippines 10 days earlier.

Vatican to display St. Peter's relics at final Mass of Year of Faith

November 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - For the first time, bones traditionally believed to be relics of St. Peter the Apostle will be displayed for public veneration in St. Peter's Square Nov. 24, at a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis to conclude the Year of Faith.

Bishop set aside own grief to write Kennedy eulogy

November 17, 2013

WASHINGTON - Auxiliary Bishop Philip Hannan of Washington was a close friend and confidant of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but he had kept that friendship secret.

Vincentian administered last rites

November 17, 2013

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. - The late Vincentian Father Oscar Huber, a native of Perryville in the St. Louis archdiocese, was a hard- working, dedicated pastor who made many friends throughout his years of faithful ministry. The priest, who died in 1975, is still remembered for all that. And for one other thing.

JFK’s call to ‘ask not ...’ inspires to this day

November 17, 2013

WASHINGTON - The Catholic president who admonished Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country,” didn’t live to see how it played out, but there are plenty of people keeping his vision alive.

Mexican bishop becomes unlikely anti-crime crusader in Michoacan

November 16, 2013

APATZINGAN, Mexico - Bishop Miguel Patino Velazquez of Apatzingan has ministered for more than three decades in this mountainous region of western Mexico known as "Tierra Caliente," or hot earth.