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January 2013

January 1

Calgary Catholics warned about SSPX parish

January 1, 2013

Calgary Bishop Fred Henry has warned Catholics in his diocese not to attend a church purchased by the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).

Kindergarten enrolment in early January

January 1, 2013

TORONTO - The Toronto Catholic District School Board will be holding registration for full-day kindergarten, both existing programs and new ones, beginning Jan. 8.

January 2

Agenda for a year of faith: looking ahead at Pope Benedict's 2013

January 2, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Fortunetelling, like all occult practices, is strictly taboo at the Vatican; and prophecy is a rare gift among journalists. But Pope Benedict XVI's calendar for 2013 is already filling up with planned, probable or possible events. Here are 10 to watch for in the news during the coming year.

Despite evil, human beings are hard-wired for peace, pope says

January 2, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Welcoming in the new year, Pope Benedict XVI said that despite the injustice and violence in the world, every human being yearns for and is made for peace.

A fear of change

January 2, 2013

Epiphany of the Lord (Year C) Jan. 6 (Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)

January 3

Vatican official thanks mothers of priests, asks for their prayers

January 3, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

Caracas cardinal asks Venezuelans to pray for ailing president

January 3, 2013

CARACAS, Venezuela - Caracas Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino asked Venezuelans to pray for President Hugo Chavez as he battles cancer.

French bishops back plans for rally against same-sex marriage bill

January 3, 2013

PARIS - France's Catholic bishops are backing plans for a national demonstration against same-sex marriage legislation, which is expected to be approved by lawmakers later in January.

Illegals who occupied Paris embassy ask Church backing for cause

January 3, 2013

PARIS - Illegal immigrants who occupied the Vatican's embassy in Paris have called on the Catholic Church to support their struggle for better treatment.

January 4

Vatican says 2.3 million people joined pope for Vatican events in 2012

January 4, 2013

VATICAN CITY - More than 2.3 million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Benedict XVI for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican or Castel Gandolfo in 2012, the Vatican said.

Vatican suspends acceptance of credit cards amid tension with regulator

January 4, 2013

VATICAN CITY -- Vatican City State vendors, including the Vatican Museums and supermarket, stopped accepting credit- and debit-card payments Jan. 1, citing technical difficulties amid unofficial reports of regulatory concerns by Italian financial authorities.

Calling Jews 'enemies' is 'unacceptable,' Vatican spokesman says

January 4, 2013

Updated 01/10/13 VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church remains committed to deepening its relations with Jews and finds it "absolutely unacceptable" to consider the Jewish people as enemies, the Vatican spokesman said.

January 7

In baptism we are God's beloved children

January 7, 2013

Baptism of the Lord (Year C) Jan. 13 (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 104; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)

Notre Dame football's rise paralleled Irish-Americans' societal ascent

January 7, 2013

WASHINGTON - As Notre Dame prepared to play Alabama Jan. 7 in U.S. college football's Bowl Championship Series title game, it seemed like the clash of the titans.

Bishops must stand firm in truth to lead people to Christ, Pope says

January 7, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In their task of leading people to the light of Christ, bishops must have the courage to face opposition and peacefully stand firm in the truth, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Peace is impossible without openness to God, Pope tells diplomats

January 7, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Deploring war, civil conflict and poverty around the world, Pope Benedict XVI told foreign ambassadors assembled at the Vatican that peace-building requires charity, religious liberty, a proper understanding of human rights and openness to divine love.

Churches throw support behind Chief Spence

January 7, 2013

As Chief Theresa Spence passed three weeks living on nothing but water, fish broth and herbal tea, churches and Christian organizations were lining up behind her request for a meeting with Prime MInister Stephen Harper, Governor General David Johnston and aboriginal leaders from across the country.

Nigerian religious leaders can help followers end nation's crises

January 7, 2013

ABUJA, Nigeria - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged religious leaders to mold the characters of their followers to help stop the current crises facing the country.

January 8

Retired Ottawa Archbishop Plourde, 97, dies

January 8, 2013

OTTAWA - Ottawa Archbishop-emeritus Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, who chaired a committee that oversaw the founding of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, died Jan. 5 at the age of 97 after 49 years as a bishop.

Be like Good Samaritan, help those in need, Pope says in message

January 8, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need.