Michael Swan

McGrattan to take reins of Peterborough diocese

April 9, 2014

TORONTO - Taking his cue from Pope Francis, Toronto Auxiliary Bishop William McGrattan plans to be a better bishop and a better Christian as he moves on to become bishop of Peterborough.

De Angelis’ legacy was the founding of Sacred Heart College

April 9, 2014

For 12 years phone calls to the Diocese of Peterborough have been answered by a friendly paesan who has never lost his roots in Pozzaglia Sabina, Italy. Ask to speak to the bishop and the voice with the Italian accent would tell you, “That’s me.”

The shaping of a synod

April 6, 2014

Next October’s extraordinary synod called to talk about family will tell us as much about how the Church under Pope Francis understands itself as it will about contraception, gay couples and remarried divorcees.

Crossing the divide along the Path of Abraham

April 6, 2014

TORONTO - The Middle East, and particularly the generation-spanning conflict between Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs, is hard to understand. Which is exactly why Toronto faith leaders took 33 Muslims, Jews and Christians to the heart of the conflict in March.

Scarboro Mission priest recounts the days of People Power

April 5, 2014

TORONTO - When the Filipino revolution happened Fr. Charlie Gervais was there, in the middle, talking to soldiers and rebels, peasants and potentates. History unfolded in his parish, in the prayers and struggles of his people.

Polish culture, Catholic faith go hand-in-hand

April 5, 2014

TORONTO - When Poles want to introduce the world to Polish culture, it begins and ends with their Catholic heritage.

Stations inspired by compassion and Christ

April 4, 2014

When Fr. Jim Tobin was a young priest he found himself in a leper colony in Nigeria. He was almost 400 km east of the capital, Lagos, in Ossiomo. He was a hospital chaplain to about 200 people with active cases of leprosy. Another 600 people who had contracted the disease before treatment was available lived in a village down the hill from the hospital.

Bishop Lacey's spiritual life strong ’til the end

April 4, 2014

TORONTO - Bishop Pearse Lacey understood liturgy, he got social justice, he connected with the value of life but he never really understood indifference. When he was rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral, he would preside at summertime Masses on the Toronto Islands at St. Regis Chapel. On Sunday morning, no one came. So the monsignor, all outfitted for Mass, grabbed the sacristy bell and set off through the picnic grounds and along the beaches ringing the bell and announcing the next Mass.

Ukraine revolution ‘spiritual,’ pitting good against evil

April 3, 2014

The Canadian-born superior of the Jesuits in Ukraine is in Brussels to make the case for Ukraine’s revolution — a revolution rooted in Christian, European and democratic ideals, he argues.

Collins reminds MPPs of Catholic schools' 'gift' to Ontario

April 2, 2014

TORONTO - On the first-ever Pope John Paul II Day in Ontario, Toronto's Cardinal Thomas Collins celebrated the first-ever Roman Catholic Mass at Queen’s Park in the building’s 154-year history.