International News

News from outside of Canada.

German bishops to elect new president at meeting

February 21, 2020

BONN, Germany -- This year's spring assembly of the German bishops' conference, scheduled in Mainz March 2-5, will be dominated by the election of a successor to the its current president, Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising.

Philippine bishops release additional guidelines to fight coronavirus

February 20, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Amid continuing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, Catholics in the Philippines have been asked not to kiss or touch the cross when they venerate it on Good Friday, April 10.

‘Beloved Amazon’: Canadians can draw many parallels in exhortation

February 19, 2020

In his apostolic exhortation “Beloved Amazon” Pope Francis is talking about much more than just the Amazon.

Brazilian bishops 'surprised' at Amazon post-synodal document

February 13, 2020

SAO PAULO -- Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the pan-Amazonian synod surprised many church workers who live in the region and elicited a range of reactions.

Cardinal Marx won't seek second term as president of German bishops

February 11, 2020

BONN, Germany -- Cardinal Reinhard Marx, 66, announced that at the full plenary session of the German bishops' conference in early March, he will not be a candidate for another term as president.

Salvadoran cardinal calls for prudence, patience amid political turmoil

February 11, 2020

MEXICO CITY -- A Salvador cardinal urged "prudence" from the politicians in the Central American country as the president pushed congress to approve a package of security spending.

U.S. bishops ask Pope Francis about Amazon synod

February 10, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Talking about debates, differences and discernment, Pope Francis told a group of U.S. bishops that people focused on the possibility of ordaining some married men and women deacons for service in the Amazon will be disappointed in his apostolic exhortation.

Cardinal Dolan to meet with Cuban president, church leaders during visit

February 7, 2020

WASHINGTON -- New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is set to meet with the president of the Republic of Cuba during a Feb. 7-12 trip to the island nation, which includes a visit with the cardinal of Havana and other Cuban prelates.

Priest waits and prays for liver donor

February 7, 2020

WASHINGTON -- Fr. John Mack, a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., needs a liver transplant — from a living donor.

Lawmakers in Philippines move to legalize divorce

February 6, 2020

MANILA, Philippines -- A Philippine church official has expressed surprise over the speedy acceptance of a bill in the country's parliament that would legalize divorce.