International News

News from outside of Canada.

In Philippines, signs of faith among ruins of typhoon

November 15, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - In the week after Super Typhoon Haiyan cut a path of devastation across the central Philippines, faith remained strong among the hardest hit.

Southern Leyte residents see horrible sights on aid trips to Tacloban

November 14, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Normally the trip from Maasin to Tacloban takes about three hours, but with the fallen trees and debris, getting aid there takes longer, said a priest from Southern Leyte province.

'Spiritual Marines' head to Tacloban to bless bodies after typhoon

November 14, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - After days of watching televised scenes of dead bodies scattered around Tacloban, Order of Augustinian Recollect members organized a group of priests and a brother to bless bodies of people who died while fleeing the flood brought on by Typhoon Haiyan.

Belgium's faith leaders: Don't allow kids to decide on own euthanasia

November 13, 2013

BRUSSELS - The president of the Belgian bishops' conference joined other faith leaders who criticized proposed legislation to extend euthanasia to children and dementia sufferers, warning the measure risks "destroying the functioning of society."

Family businesses win victory in U.S. appeals court decision on HHS suit

November 13, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - A Catholic family in Madison that owns a vehicle lighting manufacturing company won an important religious liberty victory in a Nov. 8 ruling handed down by a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

Desperate Filipinos add to challenging logistics of delivering aid

November 12, 2013

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- International and local groups were poised to get aid to the worst-hit areas of the typhoon-stricken central Philippines, but the challenges of getting help to communities growing desperate for food and water went beyond just making sure roads were clear.

Cardinal Bartolucci, former Sistine Chapel Choir director, dies at 96

November 12, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Italian Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, who had devoted most of his priestly life to music and served as director of the Sistine Chapel Choir for more than 40 years, died Nov. 11 at the age of 96.

After cease-fire, Congo's bishops say much work remains before peace

November 11, 2013

GOMA, Congo - The Catholic Church rejoiced at the end of a yearlong military campaign in North Kivu by the defeated rebels of the M23 movement, but made it clear that much remains to be done to consolidate that peace.

At Manila air base, distraught family members hope for plane to Leyte

November 11, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The back entry to the grandstand at the Villamor Air Base was teeming with people as the noon sun peaked. It was Nov. 11, three days after Super Typhoon Haiyan pounded the central Philippine islands, leaving a path of overwhelming destruction that emergency and relief workers were hard-pressed to penetrate.

Pope leads prayers, calls for aid for Philippines

November 11, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis led prayers for people hit by a deadly typhoon in the Philippines and surrounding region, and asked that concrete aid be sent soon.