International News

News from outside of Canada.

Redemptorist superior says he regrets Irish priest's actions

January 24, 2013

DUBLIN - The head of the Redemptorist fathers in Rome said he deeply regrets the actions of an Irish member of the order who accused the Vatican of subjecting him to "frightening procedures reminiscent of the Inquisition."

Spokesman says church condemns ivory hunters' slaughter of elephants

January 23, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church has never encouraged anyone to use ivory for religious devotional objects and, in fact, teaches that animals must be treated with respect, the Vatican spokesman said in a letter to "friends of the elephants."

Turkish court sentences driver for 2010 murder of bishop

January 23, 2013

VATICAN CITY - A Turkish court sentenced Murat Altun to 15 years in prison for the 2010 murder of Bishop Luigi Padovese, apostolic vicar of Anatolia.

Pope Benedict has new App-titude, lets users follow live events

January 23, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican launched a new "Pope App" on the eve of the release of the pope's World Communications Day message, which is dedicated to social networks as important spaces for evangelization.

Catholic Hall of Famer Stan Musial dies at 92

January 23, 2013

ST. LOUIS - A funeral Mass was scheduled for Jan. 26 at St. Louis Cathedral Basilica for Stan Musial, the Hall of Fame outfielder-first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Multifaith prayer service starts Obama's first workday of new term

January 23, 2013

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- President Barack Obama began the first work day of his second term Jan. 22 in prayer at a multi-faith service at the National Cathedral, where readings, prayers, songs and the sermon focused on the challenges of leadership and the need to face them with the bolstering of faith.

After rally, Irish officials consider suicide threat as abortion reason

January 22, 2013

DUBLIN - In the wake of the largest pro-life demonstration ever to have taken place in Ireland, cracks have begun to emerge in the coalition government over its plans to legislate for abortion.

Pope names movie expert to head Vatican TV, streamlines accreditation

January 22, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI named a priest who is an expert in cinema and communications to head the Vatican's television production center, CTV.

Franciscans offer ‘text-a-prayer-intention’ service

January 19, 2013

NEW YORK - Often, prayer intentions are offered with hands folded, but a new service allows hands and fingers to move freely — provided a cellphone is handy.

Is ‘game over’ the Catholic response to violent video games?

January 19, 2013

NEW YORK - Even as people across the United States continue to mourn the children and teachers who were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the question of what drove killer Adam Lanza to commit such a horrific crime is already being debated.