International News

News from outside of Canada.

European bishops mark 30th anniversary of fall of Berlin Wall

November 7, 2019

BRUSSELS -- Catholic bishops from the European Union marked 30 years since the breaching of the Berlin Wall with tributes to those who worked for peaceful change, as well as warnings against resurgent "ideologies behind the building of walls."

Lebanese, protesting in streets, want a changing of the guard

November 6, 2019

BEIRUT -- Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese are hitting the streets across the country to demand an end to rampant corruption and poor public services. Cutting across sectarian lines, they also want the current government of entrenched politicians dating back to Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war era to step down.

Bangkok asylum seekers appeal to Pope Francis

November 5, 2019

BANGKOK -- When Pope Francis celebrates Mass in a Bangkok sports stadium Nov. 21, tens of thousands of Catholics from across Thailand will congregate to celebrate with him.

Bishops seek audit of Bolivian election as protests become violent

November 4, 2019

LA PAZ, Bolivia -- The Bolivian bishops called on politicians in the South American country to respect the will of the people and review the results of the recent election that gave President Evo Morales a fourth consecutive term.

Chinese rules spark concern over Church

November 1, 2019

HONG KONG -- Weeks after the first anniversary of the deal between the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China on the appointment of bishops — the first formal agreement between the two countries since the 1950s — Beijing promulgated a fresh batch of regulations governing places of worship.

Getty Fire impacts a Catholic university, schools and retired sisters

October 30, 2019

WASHINGTON -- The Getty Fire that began whipping through mountain communities west of Los Angeles during the early hours of Oct. 28 caused the closure of several local Catholic schools, the evacuation of students and staff at Mount St. Mary's University and a call for the retired sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet to shelter in place.

Biden denied Communion at Mass during campaign stop in South Carolina

October 29, 2019

FLORENCE, S.C. -- Former Vice President Joe Biden attended the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Anthony Church Oct. 27 and when he presented himself to receive the Eucharist was refused by the pastor.

Hong Kong bishop reminds listeners that protesters are human

October 29, 2019

HONG KONG -- As demonstrations pitting pro-government groups against pro-democracy protesters continue, a bishop urged Catholics to pray for the realization that all are humans and not "cockroaches or dogs."

Vatican's U.N. rep pushes for world action to eliminate nuclear weapons

October 29, 2019

UNITED NATIONS -- Expressing concern that arms control treaties are "abrogated and flouted," the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations called on global leaders to work to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Report: Mideast Christians might not recover from persecution

October 28, 2019

Christianity is disappearing from towns and cities in parts of the Middle East, warns a new report from the papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need.