International News

News from outside of Canada.

Severe weather prompts emergency response from church leaders as Lent begins

February 18, 2021

CLEVELAND -- Below-zero temperatures, teeth-chattering wind chills and deep snow turned the southern Plains into an Arctic landscape, forcing Catholic Charities agencies to adopt emergency measures to get people to safety.

Iraq tightens restrictions ahead of Pope’s visit

February 17, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Two days after the Iraqi government announced stringent COVID-19 precautions, including the closure of mosques and churches “until further notice,” the prime minister met with the Vatican nuncio to discuss preparations for the scheduled visit of Pope Francis.

Vaccine woes add to issues in Global South

February 17, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Pope Francis warned it could make inequalities existing around the world even worse.

Scottish Christian leaders say hate crime bill limits freedom to disagree

February 17, 2021

GLASGOW, Scotland -- The Scottish government should withdraw parts of a hate crime bill because of the risk it will lead to the prosecution of people solely for disagreeing with gender ideology and same-sex marriage, said Catholic and Protestant leaders.

Iraqis eagerly await Pope's visit in face of pandemic and security challenges

February 12, 2021

AMMAN, Jordan -- Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and security concerns, Pope Francis hopes to visit Iraq, an opportunity that eluded his predecessors.

Dioceses cry foul over funding report

February 10, 2021

U.S. dioceses are crying foul over an investigative report on coronavirus relief funding they say grossly mischaracterized the Catholic Church’s finances and unrestricted cash flows, leaving the impression the Church used the 2020 CARES Act to hoard cash.

Kansas bishop steps aside following abuse allegation

February 9, 2021

DODGE CITY, Kan. -- Denying any wrongdoing, Bishop John B. Brungardt of Dodge City has stepped away from his duties and pledged to cooperate with authorities investigating an allegation of abuse of a minor made against him.

U.S. Senate again fails to pass Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

February 8, 2021

WASHINGTON -- Failure to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act "shows just how extreme the majority of Senate Democrats are," said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

Cardinal appeals for no bloodshed, return to democracy in Myanmar

February 4, 2021

YANGON, Myanmar -- Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has appealed to the people of Myanmar -- including the army, which staged a coup Feb. 1 -- to remain calm and to work for open lines of communication so democracy can prevail.

March sends a ‘message of solidarity’

February 4, 2021

WASHINGTON -- It was the coldest national March for Life in some years, it was the smallest, and it also may be remembered as the bravest.