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March 2013

March 14

Defund Abortion Rally set for March 19

March 14, 2013

TORONTO - On March 19 pro-lifers from across Ontario will be out en masse at Queen's Park for the Defund Abortion Rally.

Vatican releases Pope's initial schedule

March 14, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, began a briefing about the election of the Pope Francis, a Jesuit, by apologizing that he was a bit in "shock."

Canadian cardinals cite Pope Francis' holiness, concern for poor

March 14, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Montreal's Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, speaking of newly elected Pope Francis, said he was "always struck by that man, who is a holy man, a man of prayer."

Pope Francis

March 14, 2013

White smoke that billowed March 13 from the Sistine Chapel chimney heralded more than the election of Pope Francis.

In our life’s journey we are called to compassion, love

March 14, 2013

Passion Sunday (Year C) March 24 (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56)

Whatcott case leaves troubling concerns

March 14, 2013

The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in the case of anti-gay advocate Bill Whatcott provided troubling answers to some questions concerning free speech but improved the language of a provincial human rights code and slightly raised the bar for future cases.

Montreal ruling strikes blow for religious freedom

March 14, 2013

With all eyes fixed on Rome, it’s not surprising that Paula Celani’s moment of victory in a Montreal courtroom has gone almost unheralded.

Christ’s good news is for all

March 14, 2013

The great mission’s name is Jesus

Benedict the innovator

March 14, 2013

Liberals in the Church never warmed to the papacy of Benedict XVI.

March 15

Catholics must walk in Lord's presence, Pope says at first Mass

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Without faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the Church is nothing more than a "pitiful NGO," Pope Francis said in his first homily as Pope.

Sequestered by conclave, cardinals missed births, rain, cellphones

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - While the cardinal electors were intensely praying and choosing the next pope, they were utterly unaware of the huge crowds waiting outside braving the rain and whether the smoke really worked, said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York.

World offers words of hope, joy to Pope Francis

March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Catholic leaders worldwide expressed words of hope and joy in calling upon Catholics to come together as one body behind the papacy of Pope Francis.

New pope 'figure of unity' for all Catholics, says USCCB president

March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated the newly elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who took the name Francis.

Latino Catholics filled with hopes for new pope

March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Three hours had passed since the Vatican announced the first Latin American pope, but the gathering of mostly immigrants from Central and South America couldn't stop smiling and couldn't stop building a mountain of hopes pegged to the papal election of Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Pope Francis: Choosing a Jesuit as a reformer -- on many levels

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The church has turned to religious orders for popes at various times over the centuries, often when in need of a reformer, and such may have been the cardinals' thinking again when they elected Pope Francis.

Continuing the Catholic mission beyond Benedict

March 15, 2013

As the Church transitions to a new pope, there’s a lot of talk about whether the Vatican has become irrelevant in this modern and secular age.

‘Fantasy football’ for the conclave

March 15, 2013

While Church leaders were voting for the next pontiff, some of the faithful were making picks and praying hard thanks to web sites such as “Fantasy Conclave” and “Adopt A Pope.”

God called and Ordinandi answered

March 15, 2013

BRAMPTON, ONT. - When Joshua Roldan’s chaplain invited him to the 2002 Ordinandi Dinner and told him that he was called to be a priest, Roldan, then in Grade 12, wanted to prove him wrong.

Pope Francis: Don't give in to pessimism, courageously share Gospel

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Never give in to the devil's pessimism, discouragement and bitterness, Pope Francis said; Christians need to share the Gospel message with joy and courage because it will truly answer people's deepest needs.

Pope's episcopal motto comes from homily by English doctor of church

March 15, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' episcopal motto is based on the Gospel account of "The Call of St. Matthew," the tax collector, in a homily given by St. Bede the Venerable.