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April 2014

April 7

Jesuit, who used YouTube to appeal for help for Homs, reportedly killed

April 7, 2014

ROME - A 75-year-old Dutch Jesuit who refused to leave wartorn Syria, instead staying in Homs to help the poor and homeless, was beaten by armed men and killed with two bullets to the head, according to an e-mail sent by the Jesuits' Middle East province to the Jesuit headquarters in Rome.

Pope Francis confirms continuing existence of Vatican bank

April 7, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, accepting the recommendations of his international Council of Cardinals and other advisory groups, has decided the Vatican bank will continue to exist and has approved a plan to increase its transparency and accountability.

On 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide, Pope urges reconciliation

April 7, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Just days before Rwanda was to begin a weeklong period of official mourning to mark the 20th anniversary of its genocide, Pope Francis urged the country's bishops to be resolute in continuing the work of healing and reconciliation.

Atlanta archbishop will sell new residence at center of controversy

April 7, 2014

ATLANTA - Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory announced April 5 that he will vacate the archbishop's residence in early May and move into another available archdiocesan property.

April 8

Brampton Ukrainian church feeling community's love after devastating fire

April 8, 2014

BRAMPTON, ONT. - Dealing with the aftermath of the fire that burned down St. Elias the Prophet Ukrainian Catholic Church, the parish community has been overwhelmed by the amount of support it is getting.

Pope Francis names William McGrattan bishop of Peterborough

April 8, 2014

TORONTO - Toronto Auxiliary Bishop William McGrattan has been selected by Pope Francis to lead the Diocese of Peterborough.

National pro-life conference stands up for life

April 8, 2014

TORONTO - Before harming a woman and her unborn child, the act of abortion hurts God, said Fr. Paul Nicholson.

Canadian nun kidnapped in Cameroon

April 8, 2014

A Canadian nun and two Italian priests abducted April 4 in Cameroon remain unaccounted for.

April 9

Euthanasia off the table in Quebec — for now

April 9, 2014

OTTAWA - A surprisingly strong victory by the Liberals in Quebec’s April 7 election means euthanasia is off the table for now while signaling a greater acceptance of religious Quebeckers, informed observers said.

Cardinal Emmanuel-Karim Delly, retired Chaldean patriarch, dies at 86

April 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis praised the dedication of the retired patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Cardinal Emmanuel-Karim Delly, 86, who died April 8 in a hospital in San Diego, according to the California-based Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle.

De Angelis’ legacy was the founding of Sacred Heart College

April 9, 2014

For 12 years phone calls to the Diocese of Peterborough have been answered by a friendly paesan who has never lost his roots in Pozzaglia Sabina, Italy. Ask to speak to the bishop and the voice with the Italian accent would tell you, “That’s me.”

McGrattan to take reins of Peterborough diocese

April 9, 2014

TORONTO - Taking his cue from Pope Francis, Toronto Auxiliary Bishop William McGrattan plans to be a better bishop and a better Christian as he moves on to become bishop of Peterborough.

April 10

The need for religion class

April 10, 2014

Many of my schoolmates say they wish that religion wasn’t a mandatory class and that they could enrol in other classes more beneficial to their future academic or professional goals. I disagree. So I spoke with two of my religion teachers to get their perspective on the matter.

Latest Catholic Mass translation not popular among U.S. clergy

April 10, 2014

A new translation of the Mass has been used in North America's Catholic parishes for less than three years, but there are signs that the language — often criticized as stilted and awkward — could be in for another edit.

Water crisis can be cured

April 10, 2014

Darren Pereira walked into the United Nations thinking about the overwhelming number of social injustices in the world today, but walked away knowing that when people work together, solutions to these issues can be found.

CCO follows Pope Francis’ lead

April 10, 2014

OTTAWA - The Church in Canada needs a “serious, sustained commitment” to evangelization, Vancouver Archbishop Michael Miller told students at a Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) fundraiser.

Pope Francis: Human trafficking is ‘a crime against humanity’

April 10, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Four women who were forced into sex slavery and later freed met April 10 with Pope Francis at an international conference on human trafficking held at the Vatican to combat what the pontiff called a “crime against humanity.”

Couple who lost home to mudslide see God at work in community response

April 10, 2014

ARLINGTON, Wash. - Ron and Gail Thompson are grieving their neighbours who are lost or missing in the Oso mudslide, but faith and lots of love and prayers are helping them stay strong.

April 11

God's grace behind 50 years of Jesuit service

April 11, 2014

THORNHILL, ONT. - It normally takes 13 years to become a full-fledged member of the Society of Jesus. It takes the grace, love and steadfast faithfulness of God to remain one for 50 years.

Francis apologizes for clerical sex abuse by priests

April 11, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has apologized for the priests who have sexually abused children and promised tough sanctions against any perpetrators.