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February 2011

February 23

40 days of making a difference for life

February 23, 2011

[images/stories/misc/baby.jpg]TORONTO - The 40 Days for Life campaign is making a difference, said Nicole Campbell, 40 Days for Life Toronto co-ordinator. In fact, she said nine abortion facilities throughout North America have closed as a result of the campaign. “The thing is with the 40 Days for Life, and with abortion in general, is that it’s not enough to be personally pro-life,” Campbell told The Catholic Register. “It’s great but it does nothing to actually end abortion. It’s only when we’re publicly pro-life that we can impact and change our culture one person at a time through prayer and through our public witness.”

‘Advocacy’ cited in KAIROS’ cuts

February 23, 2011

Bev Oda [images/stories/canada_people/odabev.jpg]OTTAWA - An internal background document distributed to members of the Conservative caucus about the KAIROS funding controversy reveals another clue why a $7-million funding request from the ecumenical social justice organization was denied. The document’s first talking point states: “Our government supports funding to deliver aid and tangible results for the people of developing countries, not subsidizing advocacy.” In other words, funding is not available for what might be considered community organizing and activism, such as supporting advocacy groups in the developing world whose mandate is to empower disadvantaged people, push for better living conditions or lobby for indigenous rights or environmental protection.

Fr. Larisey continues to take art as far as he can

February 23, 2011

Jesuit Fr. Peter Larisey [images/stories/toronto_people/lariseypeter8.jpg]TORONTO - Before he was ordained, the young Jesuit Peter Larisey learned to take no for an answer. Practice makes perfect. Drawn to art since childhood, Larisey wanted to study art in a serious way. Starting about 1959, each year Larisey would ask Father Provincial of the English Canadian Jesuits if he might be allowed to study art. Each year he was told, “No.” “One of the good things about Jesuit superiors is that they have terms,” explains the 81-year-old priest, who continues to teach at the Toronto School of Theology and Regis College. In 1966 Larisey showed the new Father Provincial his scrapbook filled with his published writing about art and the successes of his groundbreaking art exhibitions at Regis College. “He carried the scrapbook in his hands and said, ‘You take this as far as you can,’ ” recalls Larisey.

Talking (Lying??) About Abortion

February 23, 2011

In three totally different arenas conversations and arguments about abortion and the way we talk about abortion are being vigorously being pursued. The story of Linda Gibbons (see as well the most recent story in the Catholic Register) and the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada to hear arguments about the matter has the potential to bring one of the least talked about legal sagas of the age into public awareness. The facts are pretty straightforward. Long time pro-life activist Gibbons refuses to obey the bubble zone space around abortion clinics. Bubble Zones around abortion clinics have been argued in the courts in Ontario and B.C. and are defended by pro-choice advocates on the grounds of a reasonable limit on free speech rights. For a decade and a half, this quiet spoken and seemingly harmless woman insists on her rights to free expression and has spent more than a half dozen years in total in jail as a consequence. This is a true hot button issue and the Supreme Court of Canada hearing has the potential to bring abortion once again into the mainstream public square. Ian Hunter, a former professor of law at the University of Western Ontario has written a truly fine piece about the Gibbons story that might make even strong individuals weep. On a completely different note is the story of whether Canadian Pop Mega Star, Justin Bieber is pro-life. The whole ‘controversy’ flows out of an interview in Rolling Stone Magazine. Bieber's thoughts on sex without love, homosexuality and abortion are acquiring a gravitas normally reserved for philosophers such as Charles Taylor. Granted Rolling Stone magazine has apologized for ‘editing’ Bieber’s comments on abortion incorrectly at least twice, but the upshot seems to be that the teen star is pro-life, even in the case of rape. This has led to some seriously interesting outbursts. Some, like John Hines, want to know why we ask Bieber tough questions (Hines’ column is a hoot for a number of reasons especially his disbelief that Bieber might actually prefer Canada to the United States). Danny Groner, at The Huffington Post figures the Rolling Stone Interview and the release of the Bieber movie is simply a good time to worry about what Bieber’s fame says about society. And others just decided to nail the kid to the wall, Kathryn Olivarius of the Yale Daily News thinks Bieber’s comments are dangerous, the Folks at The View suggested that Bieber had no right to his opinions at all, and at the Toronto Star the attitude is just “leave him alone” he’s a kid. The thought experiment the whole episode raises is…given how we expect celebrities to have opinions and have built an economic structure around celebrity influence in society, what is it about Bieber’s views that has so many riled? If Justin Bieber raises hard issues about acceptable views on abortion and the Linda Gibbons case raises intriguing questions about free speech for all, including pro-life folks, the real tough philosophical quandary has been provoked by Live Action’s video stings of Planned Parenthood operations in the United States. Lila Rose is an up and comer in the pro-life world. She and her truly youthful organization have been using undercover stings (you can see examples of the video at the organization’s website) to expose egregious aspects of the world of Planned Parenthood and the procurement of abortions. Some of her team’s work has led to criminal investigations, employees getting fired and the cut-off of funds to Planned Parenthood. And LifeSiteNews has reported in the past that Lila Rose and Live Action are planning on coming to Canada. But while many pro-life groups and activists were celebrating the work of Live Action a serious question about tactics and means was being raised. “Is Lying in the pursuit of a good end justifiable”. It has turned into a fascinating debate…conducted with true intellectual vigour on the web site Public Discourse, reflected on by Princeton Legal Scholar and Theological heavy weight Robert George in Mirror of Justice, debated thoroughly on the National Catholic Register and responded to by the good folks at Live Action. Given the stakes, given the nature of the argument, it is a debate following and taking part in.

Talking (Lying??) About Abortion

February 23, 2011

February 24

Libyan youth seek a better future

February 24, 2011

Libya [images/stories/international/internation11/libya.jpg]VATICAN CITY - The top Church official in Libya said the country’s current unrest is based on legitimate requests by young people for a better future. Oil-rich Libya, unlike other north Africa hot spots Tunisia and Egypt, has the resources to satisfy those requests, Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, the apostolic vicar of Tripoli, told Vatican Radio. “The people are asking for some things that are just. And they are fundamental requests of young people: to be able to have a house, a better salary, a job,” Martinelli said.

Out of the rubble emerges a ministry of reconciliation

February 24, 2011

Coventry Cathedral [images/stories/arts/arts11/coventrycathedral.jpg]COVENTRY, ENGLAND - Most of the ruined churches of England are the outcome of the violence of an early age, the dissolution of the monasteries. But the ruins of St. Michael’s Church in Coventry are the consequence of the violence of modern times. On the night of Nov. 14, 1940, the German Luftwaffe devastated the city of Coventry. And as it burned, the cathedral burned with it. A total of 568 people lost their lives. This past summer I co-led a group on a Reconciliation and Unity study pilgrimage, and Coventry, the only English city to lose its cathedral as a result of aerial bombardment, was one of the places we visited. It would not have been surprising if, following the raid, another kind of flame were to have been fanned into being — the fire of bitterness and hatred. It was largely due to the inspired, prophetic leadership of the cathedral provost at the time, Dick Howard, that a different spirit prevailed.

Creche convention coming to Toronto for Remembrance Day

February 24, 2011

Creche Convention [images/stories/toronto/toronto11/crecheconvention.jpg]TORONTO - War, history and ecumenism are perhaps not the first associations Christians have with table-top models of baby Jesus nestled in the manger. But the Friends of the Creche intend to take on all three serious subjects at a three-day international convention in Toronto Nov. 10 to 12. It’s the first time the American branch of the La Universalis Foederatio Praesepistica (known in Canada and the United States as the Friends of the Creche) has held it’s biennial convention in Canada. It’s expected to draw 350 conventioneers, plus hundreds more who will visit a display of rare, historic creches on display at the Royal York Hotel.

Fr. Williams’ 40-year career at Michael Power/St. Joseph's fondly remembered

February 24, 2011

Fr Williams [images/stories/toronto_people/frwilliams.jpg]TORONTO - Basilian Father Albert Lawrence Williams was like a “grandfather” to students and teachers at Toronto’s Michael Power/St. Joseph High School. Known as “Fr. Bob” to his friends, Williams died on Feb. 15, leaving behind a four-decade legacy as a teacher at Michael Power/St. Joseph. He also taught at St. Michael’s College School and was a former Secretary General of the Basilian Fathers.

Doug Barry brings the Passion to life

February 24, 2011

Doug Barry [images/stories/toronto_people/dougbarry.jpg]PICKERING, ONT. - When Doug Barry gets to the scourging of Christ in his one-man performance of the Passion, he plays the part of the soldier who wields the whip. The soldier turns to the audience and says, “You sit there thinking you are 2,000 years removed from this in your little, sanitized, religious box.” The rest of the hour to hour-and-15-minute performance is an elaboration of that one, central point. “If we do not make that connection — that this was not just an historical event that happened 2,000 years ago — then it’s easier for us to detach ourselves from our sin today,” Barry told The Catholic Register.

Unity through prayer and communion

February 24, 2011

Editor’s note: This is the second place winner for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement-Graymoor in Toronto and The Catholic Register. Jesus chose not one, but 12 Apostles to spread the message of His love. He believed that unified, the Apostles could better carry out the work of spreading God’s love since they had the support of their fellow apostolic brothers. Although the Christian Church today has been factionalized into various denominations, we are called to share in the brotherhood through the empowerment we receive as apostles spreading God’s teachings. Teaching is one of those occupations no one is barred from. Everyone has the power to influence others through their teachings. As apostles of God, we are to teach the universal message that God tells all Christians: That there is no commandment greater than to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:38). In order to accomplish this, we need to aspire to lives that will be the epitome of God’s love to everyone we come in contact with. What better way to do so than to unite ourselves as Christians in our evangelistic teaching of God’s word. This is because if our actions towards others reflect God’s love, then others can learn by observing our relationship with fellow Christians. What better way to teach than to practise what you preach? On the matter of preaching God’s word, we can recount the lives of the early Christians who faced persecution for preaching the Word of God. They bravely faced death instead of renouncing their faith. There was a driving force behind this courage; a reason for their unwavering faith. It was the knowledge that the cause for which they were being persecuted was a worthy one; the knowledge that they were laying the groundwork for other Christians to follow; the knowledge that their sacrifices for the Church would serve to draw those strong in the faith even closer together; the knowledge that they had the backing of their fellow Christians ready to continue where they left off. Having this kind of trust in anyone is profoundly encouraging, especially at times such as these with news of persecutions among our fellow Christians like those in Pakistan, Somalia, Egypt, Vietnam and everywhere a Christian is criticized for their faith. Such trust can only be forged on deep bonds of brotherhood and one good way to forge bonds is by praying together. Jesus prayed and taught His disciples to do so too because He understood the strength provided by solidarity in prayer. Through prayer, God yearns for us to break down all barriers, including those of denomination, that restrict us from being one not just with Him but also with our fellow Christians. His son, Jesus, died to unify Christians with the assurance that we will have eternal redemption. He died not for one denomination, “but to gather all children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52). And so the Communion (sharing of the bread) is a resonating theme among all Christian denominations and further proof of the similarities Christians have in common. Let us, therefore, surge on in forging and maintaining our ties of Christian fellowship among all denominations through our prayers. Let our actions reflect the true teachings of God’s unconditional love of unity and equality. Most importantly, “I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). For when all is stripped away from us, we are left with nothing but our faith. And since we all share the same faith, are we then not fundamentally the same? (Chigbo, 16, is a Grade 12 student at St. Francis Xavier Secondary School in Mississauga, Ont.)

Calling All Girls event aims to confront media pressures

February 24, 2011

Girls at Camp [images/stories/ysn/ysn11/girlsatcamp.jpg]MISSISSAUGA, ONT. - The media puts an unbelievable amount of pressure on girls, said Dorothy Pilarski, a Catholic speaker, author and mother. And on March 4 Pilarski hopes to give a voice to girls who aren’t comfortable with all the pressures being thrust upon them. Taking place at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga, Ont., “Calling All Girls” is an event for girls ages 12 to 17. Including talks and group activities, Pilarski will be joined by Colleen Hammond, a Texas-based Catholic speaker and author of Dressing With Dignity. Hammond is also a former beauty pageant winner, model, actress and on-camera meteorologist, familiar with the different pressures put on girls.