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September 2013

September 20

Syria’s tragedy, up close

September 20, 2013

KILIS, TURKEY - While diplomats shuffle between Geneva, Moscow and Washington, their plans to place Syria’s chemical weapons under international control are having no impact on the war of attrition Syrians are fighting with rifles, rocket propelled grenades, tanks and bombing raids. As the violence that’s killed more than 100,000 Syrians wears on, Turkey is seeing more and more of the human toll in the form of refugees and wounded fighters.

Friends for keeps

September 20, 2013

If we weren’t family, I don’t think my siblings and I would all be friends. Thankfully, God knows what kind of friends we need.

Sex chant highlights youth subculture

September 20, 2013

HALIFAX - Saint Mary’s Univers ity continues to recover from a frosh week scandal that drew national attention to the Halifax campus when a large group of students was caught on film chanting a sexually explicit line that seems to glorify rape culture.

Did Jesus laugh?

September 20, 2013

Sitting alone one afternoon, I clicked on a link a friend had sent labelled “The Colbert Report: Timothy Dolan.” It was about the New York cardinal and the TV personality discussing the March papal conclave, the Pope and religion in general. I couldn’t resist.

Stratford takes Shakespeare to class

September 20, 2013

TORONTO - At St. Angela’s Catholic School theatre is coming alive in the classroom and breaking down barriers.

Legal action threatened against Quebec charter

September 20, 2013

OTTAWA - The Jesuit Centre for Justice and Faith (Centre justice et foi) in Montreal stressed the importance of tolerant social climate to prevent a descent into xenophobia and demagogic excess as the Parti Quebecois government announced details of the proposed Charter of Quebec Values.

Bishops’ plenary to examine charity at home and abroad

September 20, 2013

OTTAWA - Caritas, or charity, both at home and abroad, will be the theme of this year’s annual plenary of Canada’s Catholic bishops Sept. 23-27 in Sainte-Adele, Que., says Msgr. Patrick Powers.

Pope condemns abortion as product of 'throwaway culture'

September 20, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In his strongest public words to date on the subject of abortion, Pope Francis affirmed the sacredness of unborn human life and linked its defense to the pursuit of social justice.

September 21

Francis’ clandestine network saved Argentine dissidents

September 21, 2013

VATICAN CITY - While a military-backed dictatorship in Argentina was conducting a clandestine war on suspected dissidents, then-Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope, masterminded a secret strategy to save those being targeted, according to a new book.

Taking a journey down the Gospel Roads

September 21, 2013

TORONTO - The Gospel Roads service retreat invites students to step outside of their normal summer routines and into the lives of the less fortunate.

Little did I know how much Msgr. Raby would influence me

September 21, 2013

Throughout our lifetime there are many wonderful people who cross our paths and influence us in many ways. Msgr. Thomas J. Raby was one of these people.

Digital retreat meets the people where they’re at

September 21, 2013

For people with an appetite for God who lack time in their day-to-day lives, Fr. John Bartunek’s digital retreats might just be the fast food of formation they need.

September 22

Sainthood cause launched for PEI’s first bishop

September 22, 2013

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI - Some Prince Edward Island Catholics are confident that their very first bishop, Angus Bernard MacEachern, will one day be recognized as a saint. A committee has started the process it hopes will lead to his canonization.

Hidden behind Pope's summer residence is land of milk and honey

September 22, 2013

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Not a sound bounced off the smooth white walls and vaulted brick ceiling as a Vatican gardener hunched over a large, empty glass jar. Two other men peered over his shoulder, waiting for the finished product to ooze slowly from the stainless steel spout.

Hawkstone Hall ideal for personal renewal

September 22, 2013

SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND - Hawkstone Hall is an early 18th-century Georgian mansion set in extensive parkland in north Shropshire.

Lépine warns against enshrining Quebec values in charter

September 22, 2013

OTTAWA - Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine has warned against the Parti Quebecois’ plans to enshrine Quebec values in a charter.

Citizens for Public Justice marks 50 years of advocacy

September 22, 2013

TORONTO - Citizens for Public Justice is celebrating half a century of advocating Christian values to Parliament on issues of national importance.

Marylake a special and unique place

September 22, 2013

KING CITY, ONT. - I have been on 45 retreats at Marylake. I started as a teenager with youth groups and eventually joined the adult group. I have been a Captain for 20 years or so. After all these years I continue to find Marylake a special place.

September 23

Pope, in Sardinia, denounces globalization and unemployment

September 23, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Visiting an Italian region especially hard hit by the European economic crisis, Pope Francis blamed high unemployment on globalization driven by greed and said those who give charitable aid to the poor must treat their beneficiaries with dignity.

Kenyan Catholic leaders praise citizen reaction during hostage crisis

September 23, 2013

NAIROBI, Kenya - As Kenyan security forces worked to end a standoff at an upscale mall in Nairobi, the nation's Catholic leaders praised their fellow citizens for "the Kenyan spirit."