International News

News from outside of Canada.

French still fighting same-sex marriage

June 14, 2013

OXFORD, ENGLAND - A French Catholic campaigner urged Church leaders not to give up opposition to same-sex marriage, despite the spread of laws allowing the practice across Europe.

Pope will not summer at Castel Gandolfo

June 7, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Unlike many of his predecessors since the early 1600s, Pope Francis has decided not to spend the summer months at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo south of Rome, although he will observe a reduced schedule in July and August.

Congo losing a generation to war, says bishops' conference president

June 5, 2013

WASHINGTON - Congo is losing a generation to war over diamonds and other minerals in the country's eastern regions, said the president of the nation's bishops' conference.

Czech cardinal welcomes plan to pay billions to churches for property

June 5, 2013

WARSAW, Poland - A Czech cardinal welcomed final court approval of government plans to pay billions of dollars to churches in compensation for their losses under communist rule.

Catholic charities appeal for help after flooding in Central Europe

June 4, 2013

BONN, Germany - Catholic charities in Central Europe have appealed for help after floods devastated areas of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Where two or more are gathered: Manila offers Masses in unusual spots

June 3, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Every Sunday at the upscale Power Plant Mall in metro Manila, the establishment tucked between a Japanese chocolate confectioner and a modern Italian furniture store has an overflowing crowd. It's not a shop, and it's not a restaurant. It's a Catholic chapel that seats 700 and remains overcrowded on weekends.

Vatican bank head says reputation needs more work than operations do

May 31, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In the popular imagination, the Vatican bank is so shady that even the German businessman appointed its president in February thought his task would be "cleaning out and dealing with improper deposits."

Fr. Andrew Greeley, sociologist and best-selling author, dies at 85

May 31, 2013

CHICAGO - Father Andrew Greeley, a Chicago archdiocesan priest and well-known novelist, journalist and sociologist, died late May 29 at his home in Chicago's John Hancock Center. He was 85 years old.

On the hills of the West Bank, building the good life for Palestinians

May 30, 2013

RAWABI, West Bank - About 20 minutes from the Palestinian economic hub of Ramallah, the new city of Rawabi is sprouting on a rocky hillside.

Vatican officials decry persecution of Christians around the world

May 29, 2013

GENEVA - More than 100,000 Christians are killed each year because of their faith, and millions more face bigotry, intolerance and marginalization because of their beliefs, a Vatican official said.