Michael Swan

Papal primacy key to Eastern, Western Church unity

October 21, 2013

TORONTO - The only route to reuniting Eastern and Western Christianity is to strengthen the primacy of the pope, according to Orthodox theologians. And in Pope Francis they detect signs that a window to unity may be opening.

Pope raises hopes of remarried Catholics

October 20, 2013

Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage according to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, but not according to canon law. Which may come as a surprise to some people.

Sabeel founder adamant in anti-Zionism

October 19, 2013

TORONTO - To most Israelis and most of the world’s Jews, Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek wields a theological cudgel that threatens their very existence.

D&P directs $5.4 million to Syrian refugees

October 18, 2013

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is directing $5.4 million of Canadian government funding to Syrian refugees who are living outside official refugee camps.

Woman abuse: a conversation the Church must have

October 17, 2013

TORONTO - Degrading, humiliating and violent words and acts between men and women need to be more than acknowledged. They need to be talked about in Catholic parishes and schools, two abuse survivors told The Catholic Register as preparations are underway for the fourth annual Mass to End Woman Abuse.

Pope opening Church to new possibilities

October 13, 2013

Catholics may be getting used to a Pope who says the unexpected. “Who am I to judge?” “The court is the leprosy of the papacy.” “Proselytism is solemn nonsense.” “How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor.”

Finding meaning in creation through a lens

October 6, 2013

Sometimes it seems like allCanadian art is really aboutlandscape. From the Group ofSeven’s Fred Varley to DanielTaylor there have been great portraitists.From Jean-Paul Riopelleto Kazuo Nakamura there havebeen great abstract painters.From Joe Fafard to David RubenPiqtouqun Canada has producedgreat sculptors.

Finding meaning in creation through a lens

October 6, 2013

Different paths sought to Assad’s ouster

September 29, 2013

KILIS, TURKEY - In a different Syria one might imagine Yahya Abdur Rahman and Raschid Mohammad as good friends — serious, ambitious young men who have invested their hope in their country and their faith in God.

Mobile hospital a first step in bringing normalcy

September 29, 2013

KILIS, TURKEY - Ali Ahmad was walking with his young son one evening after dark. It was after they had fled Aleppo, Syria, and begun their lives as refugees in southern Turkey. It was a clear, starry night.