Michael Swan

Photos: Jesuit ordinations at Toronto's Our Lady of Lourdes

May 24, 2017

There’s nothing older or more essential to the Church than the laying on of hands. In the Acts of the Apostles, one of the first things the newly formed Church does is commission seven men who speak different languages and represent different cultures. They were ordered (ordained) to make sure that the widows and orphans of every ethnicity, tribe and clan within the young Church are cared for.

Retreat explores Mary’s North American roots

May 19, 2017

Dig into the deep historic roots of Canada and you will find the Blessed Virgin Mary, both in name and spirit.

Ontario conscience rights bill voted down

May 19, 2017

In a strict party lines vote, a bill that would have shielded doctors and other health care providers from punishment for refusing to refer their patients on for assisted suicide was voted down at Queen’s Park on May 18.

Health care workers bring case for conscience rights to Ontario legislature

May 18, 2017

Armed with letters of support from religious community leaders, plus the official positions of the Ontario, Canadian and American Medical Associations, health care professionals descended on Queen’s Park May 18 in support of a Progressive Conservative private members’ bill that would shield doctors from punishment by the College of Physicians and Surgeons and other regulatory bodies if they refuse to refer for medically assisted suicide

‘Tragic’ euthanasia law must be fought, Cardinal Müller tells Canadian audience

May 16, 2017

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled, Parliament has legislated and provinces have set up new systems. For most Canadians the assisted suicide debate is last year’s news story. But Cardinal Gerhard Müller, head of the Catholic Church’s theological watchdog-agency, begs to differ.

Focus on life, not suicide, Christian Medical and Dental Society warns

May 5, 2017

Ontario will have a one-stop-shop service for people weighing their end-of-life options — palliative care, hospice care, home care or assisted suicide — up and running by June 1, a government spokesperson has told The Catholic Register.

Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota

May 4, 2017

The Office for Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto has been forced to suspend all new applications to sponsor refugees for the rest of this year due to persistent backlogs in government processing.

Ontario budget offers encouraging signs for faith groups

May 3, 2017

A balanced budget with investments sprinkled across education, health care and welfare — including the surprise pharmacare program for anyone 24 and younger — has given faith communities in Ontario plenty to chew on.

Pope makes a push for solutions to global issues in Egyptian visit

May 3, 2017

Pope Francis visited Egypt for two days and for two days he made Egypt his platform.

Martyrs' Shrine poised for transformation

April 29, 2017

Mystics, missionaries and martyrs helped found the Church in Canada. Their lives of faith, their dreams, their failures and successes set the template for who we are meant to be. Which is why a summer pilgrimage to the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ont., can be more than a pleasant Sunday outing.