International News

News from outside of Canada.

Hong Kong churches under threat: report

December 7, 2023

A report launched Nov. 21 in the Canadian parliament by Benedict Rogers, the British co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, raised several red flags about the insidious but dangerous erosion of religious freedom in Hong Kong.

Latin patriarch: Political leaders must seek diplomatic solution to Israel-Hamas conflict

December 7, 2023

The current war between Israel and Hamas may finally force a diplomatic solution to the long intractable tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Holy Land, said the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.

Proposed referendum for Irish Constitution calls for widening the definition of family

December 6, 2023

A pro-family campaign group has warned that a proposed March referendum in Ireland to amend the country's constitution would be a "further downgrading of the importance of marriage to society."

Explosion at university in southern Philippines kills four people during morning Mass

December 4, 2023

A deadly bomb that exploded during a Mass Dec. 3 killed at least four people and injured dozens at a university in a predominantly Muslim city in southern Philippines.

Bishop criticizes ‘rethinking’ morality teaching

November 30, 2023

Bishop Robert E. Barron said he is in “frank disagreement” with a section of a report from the Synod on Synodality indicating that scientific advances could prompt “rethinking” of the Church’s teaching on sexual morality.

Pope Francis says he has serious bronchial infection

November 30, 2023

At the brief meeting with participants in a seminar on the ethics of health care management, the pope said he was suffering from a "bronchial condition. Thank God it was not pneumonia," but he said it was a very serious bronchial infection.

'Les Misérables' bishop on sainthood path

November 29, 2023

The real bishop behind Victor Hugo’s famous Les Misérables character is likely to be beatified. The French bishops, gathered in Lourdes Nov. 3-8 for their plenary assembly, voted in favour of opening the diocesan process for his beatification.

For hostages’ families, the painful wait continues

November 29, 2023

It’s a nightmare scenario that no parent would ever want to experience. Fifty days after her children were taken hostage, Hadas Kalderon did not see their names on the list of the first three rounds of released hostages.

On third day of cease-fire, more Hamas hostages freed; Israel releases more Palestinians

November 26, 2023

The Hamas militant group Nov. 26 released a third group of hostages numbering 17, who include 12 Israelis, one American woman and an Israeli-American child and three Thai nationals, according to The Associated Press, and Israel confirmed it freed another 39 Palestinians.

Pope Francis holds separate meetings with Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican

November 24, 2023

With hopes growing for a temporary, humanitarian cease-fire, Pope Francis met at the Vatican Nov. 22 with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.