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February 2012

February 15

Iraqi refugees in Syria told to avoid demonstrations

February 15, 2012

TORONTO - While Syrians endure shelling and sniper fire from their government, Iraqi refugees among them are hunkered down in the Sayyida Zainab neighbourhood of Damascus hoping they can get out before things get much worse. “If you stay away from any mass demonstrations, stay away from any political activity, if you stay in your neighbourhood, in your church where the Iraqi refugees are, nobody will target you,” is the advice the Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) is giving hundreds of Iraqi refugees that Toronto parishes and religious communities have sponsored to come to Canada.

Bill 13 foists activism on Ontario schoolchildren

February 15, 2012

OTTAWA - An Ottawa-based think tank said mandating gay-straight alliances (GSAs) as part of Ontario government’s anti-bullying strategy will only force students into activism. The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) warns of negative effects on freedom and equality if Ontario’s Equity and Inclusion Strategy forces students to move “beyond tolerance to acceptance and respect.” “Diversity will only flourish in Ontario schools when students are encouraged to respectfully interact with different thoughts and opinions,” said the IMFC in its study entitled Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy Reviewed. [DOWNLOAD REPORT HERE]

Toronto Catholics can join Cardinal Collins celebrations

February 15, 2012

TORONTO - Catholics in the Greater Toronto Area are being invited to pray and celebrate with Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins when he returns from Rome as Canada’s newest cardinal. Collins and 20 other bishops were to be elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI at a Feb. 18 ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica. The local celebrations will begin Feb. 29 at a High Pontifical Mass at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Cathedral to be followed by a luncheon at a nearby hotel ballroom. Due to the space limitations at the cathedral, these events are by invitation only.

Pope says no future without children, urges support for large families

February 15, 2012

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI called on governments and communities to help large families, saying children represent hope and the well-being of every nation. "There is no future without children," he said at the end of his general audience Feb. 15 in a greeting to members of an Italian association of large families. "In today's social context, a family made up of many children constitutes a witness of faith, courage and optimism," he said.

Forgotten massacre under way in Sudanese border region, says bishop

February 15, 2012

VATICAN CITY - A Sudanese bishop said the world has forgotten people in his diocese, where thousands of people have sought shelter from a government bombing campaign and aid agencies cannot gain access. "There is an ongoing forgotten massacre on the Nuba Mountains" where "people are dying of starvation and bombings," said Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid, Sudan.

February 16

Rabbi Plaut dead at 99

February 16, 2012

TORONTO - One of the most persistent voices for religious engagement in every public debate in Canada, a scholar and a popularizer of modern Scripture scholarship has died. Rabbi Gunther Plaut was 99 when he passed away Feb. 8. Many Toronto Catholics will remember his column in The Globe and Mail through the 1970s and '80s. But Rabbi Plaut was also famous for one of the most widely read commentaries on the Hebrew Scriptures. The Torah: A Modern Commentary has been through 13 printings and was last revised in 2005. It has sold almost 120,000 copies.

Cardinals hopeful about 2012 Vatican budget despite global crisis

February 16, 2012

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican budget forecast for 2012 pleased an international group of cardinals who advise the Vatican on economic matters, but the cardinals still expressed concern about the impact of the global economic crisis on central church offices. The Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See met at the Vatican Feb. 14-15 to review the budget forecast for 2012 and the initial preparation of the final budget report for 2011.

New papal representative to Ireland promises to strengthen relations

February 16, 2012

DUBLIN - Pope Benedict XVI's new representative to Ireland has promised to strengthen relations between the country and the Holy See. Archbishop Charles Brown, a native of New York, spoke while presenting his credentials as apostolic nuncio to Ireland and dean of the country's diplomatic corps to President Michael Higgins.

Section 13 of human rights act one step closer to being repealed

February 16, 2012

Correction: This story has been updated as incorrect details were included in its first printing. The Register apologizes for its error. OTTAWA - A private member's bill that would axe the controversial Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act has passed second reading and will now go to committee for further study. Conservative MP Brian Storseth's Bill C-304, which would repeal the so-called hate speech provision act, passed second reading by a 158-131 vote Feb. 15.

Chaplain: Honduran prison, site of fire that killed 300, had triple number of inmates

February 16, 2012

MEXICO CITY - The prison in Comayagua, Honduras -- scene of a fire that killed more than 300 inmates -- was holding more than three times the population it was designed to house, said the prison chaplain, Father Reinaldo Moncada. Father Moncada told Catholic News Service Feb. 15 that conditions in the prison were "inhumane" but said, unlike some other fires, it was not related to fights between rival criminal gangs inside the prison.

February 17

Catholic movie reviews - This Means War & Disney's The Secret World of Arriety

February 17, 2012

Looking to see a movie this weekend? We've got reviews of two of the weekend's biggest releases - This Means War and Studio Ghibli's The Secret World of Arriety.

Collins is enjoying his moment in the sun

February 17, 2012

ROME - With a wink and a smile, Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins describes himself as "imminently eminent." That's eminent as in hours away from becoming His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, archbishop of Toronto. In a ceremony that has been stripped of some of its pomp by Pope Benedict XVI, Collins and 20 other bishops will kneel before the Pope in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday morning to be welcomed into the College of Cardinals. The Pope will place a red biretta on the head of each new cardinal and give them an engraved gold ring as well as a scroll with the name of their new honorary parish in Rome. The ceremony will begin at 4:30 eastern time and will be available live on Salt+Light Television.

Honduran diocese works to help survivors of deadly prison fire

February 17, 2012

SAN SALVADOR - The Diocese of Comayagua is working with prison authorities to try to help survivors of one of the world's deadliest prison fires. Bishop Roberto Camilleri of Comayagua, where more than 350 people died overnight Feb. 14, said he visited with survivors and took them water, "because some small aid has started to come to our diocese." "I talked with them because our presence is important to give them spiritual support," Bishop Camilleri told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Feb. 16.

Cardinal-designate Dolan leads cardinals' reflection on evangelization

February 17, 2012

VATICAN CITY - Secularism has had an easy time spreading through many traditionally Christian cultures because so many Christians do not know their faith and do not grasp the truth it teaches, Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York told the College of Cardinals. While the New York prelate did not downplay the challenges the church faces in reviving the faith of its members and bringing the Gospel to those who have never heard it, he delivered his assessment Feb. 17 with his characteristic smile and broad gestures, telling Pope Benedict XVI and the cardinals that evangelization requires joy and love.

Betting on Haiti’s next generation

February 17, 2012

There are several revolutions going on in post-earthquake Haiti and one of them is changing how Canada’s Catholic development agency thinks about its work. Prior to the January 2010 earthquake, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace’s core development work had always been long-term. Agreements with partner agencies usually spanning four or five years, with some partner relationships that have extended over 20 years. Now the problems in Haiti have Development and Peace thinking in terms of generations.

February 18

Cardinal Thomas Collins receives his red biretta [w/ video]

February 18, 2012

Other than doing a "happy dance," Canada's newest cardinal every bit resembled a man who just won the lottery. "It's a tremendous moment of joy," said His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins after Pope Benedict XVI accepted him into the College of Cardinals on a sunny Saturday morning. "It's astonishing and amazing to be there at St. Peter's, at the tomb of St. Peter," Collins said.

Of cardinal importance: new princes of the church on their role

February 18, 2012

VATICAN CITY - Practically everyone knows two things about cardinals -- that they wear red hats and elect the Pope. But what other purpose do these men serve in the Catholic Church? On the eve of the Feb. 18 consistory where Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to expand the College of Cardinals by 22 new members, the three North Americans among them shared some thoughts on the meaning of their new role.

Meet the press: New U.S. cardinals share quips, serious reflections

February 18, 2012

ROME - Dressed in red from head to toe -- well, almost -- the two new U.S. cardinals met the press after the consistory Feb. 18, sharing humorous quips and serious reflections. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York warned photographers not to take pictures of his feet because, he said, "I forgot to put on my red socks." Meeting the media at Rome's Pontifical North American College before a reception, both Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, said the first thing on their minds as they walked up to Pope Benedict XVI to receive their red hats was not to trip and fall.

Pope creates 22 new cardinals, calls them to love, service

February 18, 2012

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI created 22 new cardinals from 13 countries -- including three from the United States and Canada -- placing red hats on their heads and calling them to lives of even greater love and service to the church. The churchmen who joined the College of Cardinals Feb. 18 included Cardinals Timothy M. Dolan of New York; Edwin F. O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and former archbishop of Baltimore; and Thomas C. Collins of Toronto.

February 19

British Catholics urged to help house Olympic athletes, families

February 19, 2012

MANCHESTER, England - Catholics in British cities hosting events for the 2012 Olympic Games are being urged to show hospitality to athletes who cannot afford to stay in hotels. They are being encouraged to register with the Athlete Family Homestay Program and open their homes for eight days or more to Olympic and Paralympic competitors and their families from poor nations.