International News

News from outside of Canada.

U.N. condemns Myanmar bloodshed; cardinal criticizes 'brutality, violence'

March 15, 2021

YANGON, Myanmar -- The United Nations and human right groups have strongly condemned the worsening bloodshed in Myanmar as at least 38 people were killed in the military's crackdown on protesters March 14.

Slaying of nine Filipino activists in raid sparks outrage

March 9, 2021

MANILA, Philippines -- A Catholic bishop and a lay group have joined rights organizations to denounce and call for an investigation into the killing of nine activists by security forces in raids in four Philippine provinces March 7.

Equality Act could discriminate against faithful

March 4, 2021

The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in a 224-206 vote Feb. 25.

Lawyer: New report on abuse in Cologne will incriminate church officials

March 3, 2021

COLOGNE, Germany -- The second expert report commissioned to investigate abuse in the Archdiocese of Cologne also incriminates church officials who are still alive and accuses them of mistakes in dealing with cases of sexualized violence, according to its author, Björn Gercke.

U.S. Supreme Court lifts ban on indoor worship in California county

March 2, 2021

WASHINGTON -- A Supreme Court decision allowing indoor worship services in Santa Clara county, California, was praised by Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose, located in the county where the ban had been in effect.

At least 18 die in Myanmar coup protests

March 1, 2021

YANGON, Myanmar -- Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon called for patience and tolerance on a day when at least 18 anti-coup protesters were shot dead by Myanmar security forces.

Iraqi Christians continue to hope on Pope Francis' visit

February 27, 2021

While pundits in the West wonder whether Pope Francis really will brave out-of-control COVID-19 infections, shootings and bombings to visit Iraq, there’s not much doubt among Iraqis and others who know the Pope’s commitment to Christianity in the Middle East.

Sr. Ortiz: Torture victim to peacemaker

February 26, 2021

CLEVELAND -- Ursuline Sr. Dianna Ortiz was teaching Indigenous children as a missionary in Guatemala in 1989 when her ministry was torn apart in the midst of the country’s brutal civil war.

Toronto Catholic activist fears for her family caught in Myanmar military coup

February 25, 2021

As a general strike swept across Myanmar — three weeks after a Feb. 1 military coup prevented a new, elected government from taking office — a Toronto-based Kachin Catholic activist found herself praying for the safety of her family at home in the Southeast Asian country.

Bishop ‘cleanses’ Colombian city

February 18, 2021

BOGOTA, Colombia -- The bishop of a Colombian city suffering from a deadly spike in drug violence boarded a fire truck to spray the town’s main street with holy water and help to “cleanse it” of evil.