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February 2014

February 24

Ukrainians hope their nation has a new beginning

February 24, 2014

TORONTO - As Toronto’s Ukrainians woke up to news that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was on the run in eastern Ukraine after parliament had voted him out of office and that national elections are scheduled for May 25, they gathered to pray. At Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church all three Divine Liturgies on Feb. 23 included special, added prayers for the future of Ukraine.

February 25

Lacroix vows to remain ‘grounded with my people’

February 25, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Canada’s newest cardinal has pledged to not let his new position take away from what he does best: being a servant of his people.

Venezuela's Catholic leaders urge dialogue, respect for demonstrators

February 25, 2014

LIMA, Peru - As protests in Venezuela continued, with flare-ups of violence, the country's Catholic leaders urged dialogue and respect for the demonstrators' human rights.

Ukrainian archbishop sees lingering threat of war, but signs of hope

February 25, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The three months of protests in Ukraine that ended with government snipers killing dozens of people strengthened the commitment to democracy of many Ukrainians, but also left the country vulnerable to further violence and division, said the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Federal Liberals adopt arguments of Quebec euthanasia bill in resolution

February 25, 2014

OTTAWA - The Liberal Party’s approval of a pro-euthanasia resolution at its Montreal policy convention Feb. 23 reveals the Quebec governments’ arguments in support of euthanasia Bill-52 have gained national traction.

Russell Crowe really wants Pope Francis to see Noah

February 25, 2014

ROME - Actor Russell Crowe is using social media to try to cajole Pope Francis into seeing his latest film, the controversial Noah, which stars Crowe as the waterlogged biblical patriarch.

Pope Francis blasts arms dealers, decries indifference to war

February 25, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis lashed out at public indifference to the many wars raging around the globe, with especially harsh words for arms makers who he said profit from the violence and suffering.

February 26

The surprising afterlife of Pope Benedict XVI

February 26, 2014

VATICAN CITY - When Pope Benedict XVI officially left the Vatican in a helicopter a year ago this week (Feb. 28), becoming the first pontiff in 600 years to resign, many in his conservative fan base were aghast, even angry.

Lift Jesus Higher Rally in Toronto this Saturday

February 26, 2014

Toronto - The Lift Jesus Higher Rally is a "shot in the arm" to strengthen our faith, says Fr. Scott McCaig.

Ottawa archbishop decrees no eulogies at Catholic funerals

February 26, 2014

OTTAWA - Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast’s decree no longer allowing eulogies during Catholic funeral Masses has created a stir, but he says he is happy for the teaching opportunities.

February 27

Benedict rejects rumors on why he resigned as “simply absurd”

February 27, 2014

VATICAN CITY - As the anniversary of his surprising resignation approaches, Pope Benedict XVI has rejected as “simply absurd” the speculation that he was forced to step down, and he said he still wears the distinctive white papal cassock for “purely practical reasons.”

Euthanasia’s delusions

February 27, 2014

Twelve years after legalizing euthanasia for consenting adults facing dire medical situations, Belgium now permits euthanasia of terminally ill children. Next it wants to extend euthanasia to adults, primarily seniors, who lack the cognitive ability to give consent.

The question about Pope Francis

February 27, 2014

Just about my least favourite question (unfortunately, often posed these days) is: “What do you think of the new Pope?”

My Quebec is for all

February 27, 2014

It was one of those almost-invisible gestures that defy a seemingly impregnable political fixation.

Applauding Pope Francis without the standing ovation

February 27, 2014

As we approach the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, I received a thoughtful e-mail from Mary, a regular reader of The Register. She complained that my columns “undermine Pope Francis.”

Euthanasia bill’s delay a time for reflection

February 27, 2014

The delay in the passage of Quebec’s Bill-52, which would allow euthanasia in certain circumstances, gives individuals and groups on both sides of the issue time to reflect on better ways to move forward on providing effective end-of-life care both in Quebec and elsewhere.

Oleksandr Turchynov’s Baptist faith may help defuse Ukrainian crisis

February 27, 2014

KIEV, Ukraine - Acting Ukraine President Oleksandr Turchynov is neither Ukrainian Orthodox nor Eastern Rite Catholic, and that may be the key to his success at a time when fissures between East and West are threatening to split the country, analysts say.

Our pagan resistance to the other world

February 27, 2014

Sometimes while presiding at the Eucharist or preaching, I scan the faces in the front pews. What do they reveal? A few are eager, attentive, focused on what’s happening, but a goodly number of faces, particularly among the young, speak of boredom, of dram duty and of a resignation that says: I have to be in the church just now, though I wish I was elsewhere.

The Church’s great treasure hunt

February 27, 2014

In one of my favourite stories, four children travel to a secret country. On their second trip, they discover the ruins of a castle. Together they descend a dark, cold staircase into a vast underground chamber. Shining flashlights all round, they discover it’s filled with gems, jewels and treasures, all covered over with thick layers of dust.

The Church can help overcome challenges of interfaith marriage

February 27, 2014

TORONTO - Julie Wright met her husband Doug during her second year in university. She had enrolled in an introduction to philosophy class and he was her teaching assistant. But they only started dating once the course was over. It was an ethics class, after all, she jokes.