International News

News from outside of Canada.

Duty to protect defenseless is not a licence for war, archbishop tells UN

October 2, 2013

VATICAN CITY - An international obligation to intervene in situations of war or widespread violations of human rights does not mean a country or group of countries can decide to take military action in another nation, said the Vatican's foreign minister.

Catholic, other religious leaders decry U.S. government shutdown

October 2, 2013

WASHINGTON - Anticipating the worst, American religious leaders gathered the day before the federal government shut down to denounce what they called "political brinkmanship."

Syria's Armenians risk a winter without food, shelter in ancestral home

October 1, 2013

YEREVAN, Armenia - Thousands of previously middle-class Syrians now stranded in Armenia are rapidly running out of resources and could soon have no shelter, food or medicine, said an international aid group official.

Furthering transparency efforts, Vatican bank publishes annual report

October 1, 2013

VATICAN CITY - As part of its continuing efforts to promote transparency and to demonstrate its stability and adherence to industry standards, the Vatican bank published its annual report for the first time in its history.

Copt leader updates bishops on Egyptian crisis

September 27, 2013

SAINTE-ADÈLE, QUE. - More than 350 Egyptian Christian churches, homes and business have been attacked and burned since the Muslim Brotherhood government of Mohamed Morsi was deposed in July, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop Mina told Canada’s Catholic bishops.

Ukrainian churches oppose EU requirement of expanded rights for gays

September 26, 2013

WARSAW, Poland - Churches in Ukraine are opposing expanded freedoms for homosexuals as a precondition for closer ties with the Europe Union.

Jordanian priest: Superpowers must find political resolution in Syria

September 26, 2013

AMMAN, Jordan - A priest with strong interfaith ties in the Middle East said the global superpowers must find a political resolution to the Syrian civil war and humanitarian crisis but cautioned any armed intervention would result in longer-term instability.

Papal interview goes beyond abortion

September 26, 2013

Church governance, prayer, Jesuit spirituality, preaching, hope, gender equality, art, music, novels, the Second Vatican Council, prayer — in 12,000 words Pope Francis had plenty to talk about in an exclusive interview that made international headlines.

Providence College cancels lecture supporting gay marriage

September 26, 2013

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Dominican-run Providence College said the provost's decision to cancel a guest lecture supporting same-sex marriage is "not really about academic freedom, but rather goes to the meaning of being a Catholic college."

Pakistani bishops' head calls church attack 'shameful act of cowardice'

September 23, 2013

KARACHI, Pakistan - The president of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference called the suicide bomb attack Sept. 22 at All Saints' Church in Peshawar a "shameful act of cowardice," adding that all Christian educational institutions in the country would be closed Sept. 23-25 in mourning and protest.