International News

News from outside of Canada.

First clergy abuse suits under new California law announced

December 31, 2019

LOS ANGELES -- An attorney who specializes in lawsuits for victims of clergy sexual abuse has announced plans to file 12 suits in nine California dioceses under California's new Child Victims Act, which takes effect Jan. 1, extending the state's statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors.

Faith leaders condemn knife attack on N.Y. rabbi

December 30, 2019

WASHINGTON -- A host of voices from throughout the religious spectrum condemned the Dec. 28 knife attack at the suburban New York City home of a Hasidic rabbi that wounded five, one of them critically.

Fatal church shooting in Texas, bishops offer prayers

December 30, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Two Texas Catholic bishops offered words of condolence and prayers to the members and families of the victims of a church shooting in which two worshippers were killed.

McCarrick fund gave more than $600,000 to clerics, two popes

December 30, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Two popes and multiple priests, cardinals and archbishops received part of $600,000 in financial gifts from former Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, who controlled a discretionary fund, according to a report published Dec. 27 by The Washington Post.

Legionaries report 'chain of abuse' as victims went on to abuse others

December 23, 2019

ROME -- Demonstrating a strong "chain of abuse," the Legionaries of Christ said its founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, sexually abused at least 60 minors and that at least another 51 youngsters were abused by Father Maciel's victims or victims of his victims.

Authors: Media coverage misleads on Vatican finances

December 19, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Recent media coverage that points to potential financial misdealing at the Vatican is creating misperceptions about corruption and fails to adequately explain how the fluid world of financial investing works, said the authors of an article published in a University of Notre Dame journal.

N. Ireland bishops ask for waiting period in new abortion law

December 19, 2019

MANCHESTER, England -- The Catholic bishops of Northern Ireland have asked the U.K. government to include a mandatory waiting period for women who request abortions under a new law.

Anglican Bishop, former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, to become Catholic

December 18, 2019

SHREWSBURY, England -- A former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II is to be received into the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of nuncio to France accused of misconduct

December 17, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the nuncio to France, who has been under investigation for sexual misconduct in France and in Canada.

Following election, U.K. bishop urges vigilance on issues

December 13, 2019

MANCHESTER, England -- A British bishop said he was relieved by the election defeat of political parties committed to liberalizing Britain's abortion laws, but he was "not particularly enthused" by the Conservative Party agenda. A British cardinal called for a fresh start "in more ways than politics."