Browse › 2013 › March

March 2013

March 16

Some in Buenos Aires shocked that their humble prelate is pope

March 16, 2013

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Lawyer Diego Morales often walks past the Metropolitan Cathedral in this South American capital. He recently popped in, however, taking a moment for prayer and reflection and to give thanks for what was previously unthinkable: that local Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio would be elected pope.

Niagara students team up on Hadfield experiment

March 16, 2013

Through Let’s Talk Science’s RaDI-N2 & You project, students from more than 300 Canadian classrooms, including three in the Niagara Catholic board, are collecting data on exposure rates to radiation neutrons in conjunction with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.

The environmental movement has much to learn from religion

March 16, 2013

TORONTO - Curbing the effects of climate change and curing the environment will take religiously minded imagination, said author and professor Stephen Scharper.

March 17

Community rallies to save small-town school

March 17, 2013

In the southwestern Ontario hamlet of Woodslee residents have rallied to save St. John the Evangelist Catholic Elementary School.

Priest’s missionary work headed to next level

March 17, 2013

TORONTO - Fr. Alexander Osei may be a priest, but he sees himself as a missionary first.

Vatican dismisses claims against Pope Francis during dictatorship

March 17, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican dismissed claims that Pope Francis played a direct role in the kidnappings of two Jesuit priests during Argentina's murderous military dictatorship and described them as part of a campaign by "left-wing anti-clerical elements to attack the church."

Religious groups, movements applaud election of Pope Francis

March 17, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Religious groups and movements worldwide applauded the election of Pope Francis and are looking forward to the impact he will have on the church and other religious groups.

March 18

At first Angelus, Pope Francis says God never tires of forgiving

March 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Citing a distinguished German theologian and an anonymous elderly penitent from Argentina, Pope Francis told an overflow crowd in St. Peter's Square never to despair of God's mercy to sinners.

Pope meets with Argentine president, superior general of Jesuits

March 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis held an informal, private meeting and lunch with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner March 18.

Vatican releases papal coat of arms, motto by English doctor of church

March 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' papal 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.

March 19

As Joseph protected Mary, so Pope Francis pledges to protect Church, human dignity

March 19, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome and as Pope by pledging to protect the Catholic Church, the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just like St. Joseph protected Mary and Jesus.

Pope begins ministry with biblical symbols, signs of universal ministry

March 19, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as Pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission.

Changes in style send clear message from Pope Francis

March 19, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis had been pope for less than six days when he was formally installed March 19, but he had already made a distinctive and overwhelmingly favorable impression on the world.

March 20

U.S. responsibilities to Iraq many on 10th anniversary of 2003 invasion

March 20, 2013

WASHINGTON - Attending the installation of Patriarch Louis Sako as the new leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad, Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, looked around at the large crowd gathered in St. Joseph Cathedral and what he saw gave him a sense of hope.

Pope says religions must cooperate to remind humanity God exists

March 20, 2013

VATICAN CITY - For the good of all people, the care of the poor and the future of the Earth, religions must cooperate in reminding modern men and women that God exists and has a plan for their lives and their behavior, Pope Francis said.

Pope pledges renewed cooperation; Jewish leaders praise election

March 20, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said he plans renewed cooperation to further Catholic-Jewish relations and hopes to contribute to a world where all people live in harmony with the "will of the creator."

March 21

Pope Francis changes Holy Thursday plans to celebrate Mass in prison

March 21, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has decided to celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper in a Rome juvenile detention facility and wash the feet of some of the young detainees.

Cardinal Tagle says Pope told him he had 'high hopes' for Philippines

March 21, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle told journalists that when he went before newly elected Pope Francis to pledge obedience, the pope told him he had "high hopes" for the Philippines.

USCCB: New proposed rules on mandate still violate religious freedom

March 21, 2013

WASHINGTON - New proposed regulations governing the contraceptive mandate under the U.S. Affordable Care Act continue to violate basic principles of religious freedom, said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

March 22

MP Warawa's gendercide motion deemed non-votable

March 22, 2013

OTTAWA - Pro-life and pro-family groups decried the March 21 decision by a parliamentary sub-committee to make Motion-408 condemning sex-selection pregnancy termination non-votable.