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April 2013

April 5

Resurrection’s truth is all around us

April 5, 2013

A colleague drove me home, a long trip across the city. I volunteered directions. He, absorbed in the dulcet tones and colourful maps offered by his GPS (Global Positioning System), didn’t listen. The computer knew better than I did where I lived and how to get there. “Her” regularly interjected directions were the influential force of that journey.

Gospel Trail brings travellers back to biblical times

April 5, 2013

In the award-winning film Lincoln, the American president and his wife are seen riding in a carriage discussing their relationship and dreams for the future. At one point Lincoln looks off into the distance and muses about visiting the Holy Land and walking in the footsteps of David and Solomon.

Pope urges decisive action against sex abuse

April 5, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance of responding decisively to the problem of the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy and called on the Vatican office dealing with suspected cases to continue carrying out its mandate.

What does it mean to focus our attention on God?

April 5, 2013

Some years ago, I was at a religious conference where one of the speakers, widely known and respected for her work among the poor, made this comment: “I’m not a theologian, so I don’t know how this plays out theologically; but here’s the base from which I’m operating: I work with the poor. Partly I do this out of my humanity, out of natural compassion; but ultimately my motivation is Christ. I work with the poor because I’m a Christian. However, I can go for two or three years on the streets and never mention Christ’s name because I believe that God is mature enough that He doesn’t demand to always be the centre of our conscious attention.”

We are called to be witnesses to God’s kingdom

April 5, 2013

Third Sunday of Easter (Year C) April 14 (Acts 5:28-32, 40-41; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19) It is well known that dictatorial or totalitarian regimes rule by fear. The oppressed know that they must keep silent at the least and maybe even mouth the party line. The consequences for not doing so are fearsome. Even so-called democratic cultures and societies also use a form of fear to coerce people — the fear of ridicule, exclusion or labelling. The message is clear: do not challenge the status quo or the powers that be, even if they are somewhat benign.

World traveller comes full circle with Me to We

April 5, 2013

Toronto native Wanda O’Brien landed in India at the start of this year, ready to begin a new international adventure.

In Argentina, some hope new Pope brings Catholics back to churches

April 5, 2013

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Rafaela Gonzalez spent the wee hours of March 19 watching the installation of the first Argentine pope on the big screens outside the city's cathedral. She spoke with admiration about Pope Francis, with disdain for the country's political picture and with concern for the church in a country with an overwhelmingly Catholic population, but a flock moving further from parishes, priests and church practices.

April 7

The papal hug that touched the world

April 7, 2013

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — By Easter Monday, it would be the shot seen around the world.

April 8

At Rome's cathedral, Pope Francis celebrates God's patience

April 8, 2013

ROME - Celebrating his first Mass in the cathedral of Rome, Pope Francis called on Christians to trust in God's endless patience and mercy.

Bishops, Pope offer prayers after death of Britain's Margaret Thatcher

April 8, 2013

LIVERPOOL, England - The Catholic bishops of England and Wales offered prayers for the soul of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister who died at age 87 following a stroke.

Pope names head of Franciscans to Vatican office overseeing religious

April 8, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In his first appointment to the curia, Pope Francis named the superior of the Franciscans as secretary of the Vatican office that oversees the world's religious orders.

April 9

Pope, U.N. head meet, discuss crises in Syria, Korean peninsula

April 9, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Recognizing the important role each other plays on the global stage, Pope Francis and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met at the Vatican April 9, discussing common efforts to promote peace and protect human dignity.

April 10

Bishops issue call to action on environment

April 10, 2013

OTTAWA - Canada’s Catholic bishops are calling on the laity to reflect, discuss and act on the Church’s environmental teachings.

With Pope Francis, the 'great continental mission' goes global

April 10, 2013

LIMA, Peru - In his first weeks as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has echoed many of the concerns that he and fellow prelates raised in a conference of Latin American bishops six years ago.

Pro-lifers take aim at Tories

April 10, 2013

OTTAWA - Many social conservatives, especially the new leaders in the pro-life movement, are openly considering punishing the Conservatives for quashing MP Mark Warawa’s Motion-408 that would have condemned gendercide.

Catholic Church has staying power

April 10, 2013

OTTAWA - Despite demographic changes, increased secularization and the rise of women in the work force, religion is here to stay, says Reginald Bibby.

Being Christian means acting, loving like Christ, Pope says at audience

April 10, 2013

VATICAN CITY - A Christian isn't a person who simply follows some commandments, but is a person who tries to think like Christ, "act like him, love like him," Pope Francis said at his weekly general audience.

Warawa now fighting for MPs’ rights

April 10, 2013

OTTAWA - Conservative MP Mark Warawa has added a new cause to his campaign against female gendercide — the right of Members of Parliament to represent their constituents.

April 11

Vatican seeks expanded Moneyval review to show compliance efforts

April 11, 2013

VATICAN CITY - A major European regulator will conduct an expanded evaluation of the Vatican's latest efforts to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism.

Irish Catholic leaders say country must remain vigilant about violence

April 11, 2013

DUBLIN - The Irish cannot afford to be complacent about violence, even though they have lived with a peace agreement for 15 years, said Ireland's most senior Catholic leader.