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July 2007

July 9

Bioethics centre lends voice against Bill C-407

July 9, 2007

The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Centre (CCBI) has added its voice to the growing chorus of those opposed to federal Bill C-407, which would make euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide legal in Canada.

Cardinal raises spectre of excommunication on stem cell research

July 9, 2007

OTTAWA - As a Canadian federal agency authorized the use of unfrozen human embryos for stem cell research, a highly placed Vatican official warned that Catholics involved in any aspect of the destruction of human embryos could face excommunication. In an interview published in an Italian magazine June 28, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo said, "destroying human life is equivalent to abortion."

Why are questions feared?

July 9, 2007

I was very concerned to read Dorothy Cummings’ critique on Heather Eaton’s book, Introducing Ecofeminist Theologies, published in your Dec. 11 issue. Not only did Cummings gravely err in her assessment of this important book about ecofeminism but she disparages a fine writer and a crucial new focus in theology.

Turning our water into chemical soup

July 9, 2007

Where do all the pharmaceutical drugs, cosmetics and toiletry chemicals go after we've ingested them, fed them to our livestock or rinsed them off our bodies?

Climate change a good place to show preferential option for the poor

July 9, 2007

A team of health and climate scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the World Health Organization has recently compiled compelling data that confirms countries in Africa and coastal countries along the Pacific and Indian Ocean are the most vulnerable to the lethal effects of global climate change.

A truly dignified way to die

July 9, 2007

When Marlene West faced her family to tell them about her plans regarding her death she got a surprise — tears and grasping for words that just wouldn’t come.

Bible no source of scientific knowledge

July 9, 2007

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Intelligent Design reduces and belittles God’s power and might, according to the director of the Vatican Observatory. Science is and should be seen as “completely neutral" on the issue of the theistic or atheistic implications of scientific results, said Fr. George V. Coyne, S.J., director of the Vatican Observatory, while noting that “science and religion are totally separate pursuits."

July 11

Latin Mass increases diversity, says Archbishop Collins

July 11, 2007

TORONTO - For Toronto’s Archbishop Thomas Collins, more diversity equals less controversy in Canada’s Catholic community over liturgy. “We celebrate Toronto as the most diverse diocese in the world. We’ve just been enriched. I think the whole church has.” Collins told The Catholic Register following the release of Pope Benedict XVI’s motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, which declared the 1962 Latin Missal one of two approved forms of the Mass. “This is a great thing, and it solves all of this disputing and all this stuff.”

July 12

Denis Leary provides gritty portrayal of angry Catholic

July 12, 2007

Gone are the days when Catholic themes on either a network or specialty channel, television drama or sitcom series would have garnered a measure of respectful fascination, bemused interest or benign mystification.

Find real solutions to fight against crime

July 12, 2007

It is disappointing to see church groups responding to the political debate in Canada by seriously debating whether minimum sentences for gun crime are too long or not. They will never win. Debating in the arbitrary ether about what is a fair penalty will always lead to increases in punishment — to the cost of taxpayers and little benefit to our safety.

Restoring integrity of RCMP is essential

July 12, 2007

The debate over whether the new commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police should have risen from the ranks, or even be allowed to wear the red serge, is beside the point. The real objective should be to restore integrity to the RCMP and William Elliott should be judged on his ability to do so.

We must offer social, spiritual support for the sick

July 12, 2007

The prayers of the Holy Father for the 15th World Day of the Sick in 2007 were expressed in his message written on Dec. 8, 2006. He reminded us that, “Despite the advances of science, a cure cannot be found for every illness, and thus in hospitals, hospices and homes throughout the world we encounter the sufferings of our many brothers and sisters who are incurably and often terminally ill.”

Quebec City hotels filling up for 2008 congress

July 12, 2007

OTTAWA - Early in May, when James Doak of Ottawa booked a hotel room for the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress next June 15-22 in Quebec City, he discovered the hotel he chose was already 90-per-cent full.

RBC is first big bank to offer ethical funds

July 12, 2007

TORONTO - Canada’s biggest bank has just crashed the socially responsible investing party as lining up investments with values goes more mainstream.

Vatican clarifies nature of ‘one, true church’

July 12, 2007

VATICAN CITY - In a brief document, the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation reaffirmed that the Catholic Church is the one, true church, even if elements of truth can be found in separated churches and communities.

Harry Potter film harbours Christian themes

July 12, 2007

WESTFIELD, Mass. - July will be a big month for Harry Potter fans and Fr. Michael Bernier, parochial vicar at St. Mary parish in Westfield, proudly counts himself among the myriad of Potter devotees.

Poet issues a plea for beauty in the modern city

July 12, 2007

In recent years, the world has witnessed a remarkable upsurge of popular interest in cities. Architects, planners and myriad ordinary citizens are talking, as never before, about what makes cities work and what can be done to make them work better. The topics of this optimistic discussion are wide-ranging; they include sustainability and transportation, the problems and opportunities of suburban development and the enhancement of the public realm.

There is no ‘cheap grace’ from God

July 12, 2007

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), July 22 (Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42) In the ancient near east, especially among the nomadic people, hospitality to strangers and travellers was a sacred duty. The host was responsible for the physical well-being of his guest: food, water, lodging and protection.

Even one person can work wonders

July 12, 2007

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), July 29 (Genesis 18:20-21, 23-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6-14; Luke 11:1-13) Fifty – 40 – 30 – 20 – do I hear 10? The image of Abraham and God haggling and bargaining for the fate of a city and its inhabitants is rather disconcerting. It is one of many all-too-human images of God in the Bible, and reflects the mentality and understanding of people at the time it was written.

We need to have respect for all

July 12, 2007

As I was sitting in on a group discussion, the topic of same-sex relationships arose. The majority of people in the discussion were Catholic and all had pretty strong opinions on the subject. This is to be expected, though what is not to be expected was some of the rude and hurtful comments I heard in that conversation. The fact that someone I know is gay was sitting right beside me made the whole experience that much worse.