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May 2014

May 11

Nuns say they will continue dialogue despite Vatican criticisms

May 11, 2014

The American nuns who were publicly scolded by the Vatican’s top doctrinal official for disobedience and promoting unorthodox beliefs have rejected the criticisms, and say their “attempts to clarify misperceptions have led to deeper misunderstandings” between Rome and the organization representing most of the 50,000 sisters in the U.S.

Motherhood is all it’s cracked up to be

May 11, 2014

To honour Mother’s Day, The Catholic Register asked five Catholic moms to offer a brief reflection on motherhood. Together, they have compiled an essay of love and selflessness that pays tribute to their sacred vocation.

Day 1: Arriving in Bethlehem

May 11, 2014

I was in Bethlehem for one day in 2007, about this time of the year. There was an unnatural calm to the place. Streets were empty. Olive-wood carvings were piling up in the workshops in hope of a return of the tourists. But most shops weren't betting on it. Most were locked tight behind heavy metal doors.

Pope Paul VI to be beatified this fall

May 11, 2014

VATICAN CITY - After weeks of speculation, Pope Francis made it official on May 10 that Pope Paul VI could become the latest pope poised to become a saint after a miracle was accredited to Paul’s intercession.

May 12

Pro-life Liberal McKay has dilemma on hand with Trudeau pro-choice stance

May 12, 2014

Toronto pro-life Liberal MP John McKay says he’s no less a Liberal for his stand against open-access, unregulated abortion.

Former abortion provider reveals money-making motivation behind industry

May 12, 2014

OTTAWA - Carol Everett operated four abortion clinics in Texas from 1977-1983 until an encounter with Jesus Christ turned her into a pro-life advocate.

New Toronto priest gets huge surprise for ordination

May 12, 2014

TORONTO - As Fr. Omar Hernandez prepared to be ordained to the priesthood with four classmates, his only regret was that his family in Colombia wouldn't be here to see it. But he soon found out, the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Vatican threatens Jesuit theologian in India with censure

May 12, 2014

The Vatican is investigating a Jesuit theologian from India for allegedly espousing unorthodox beliefs, raising new questions about whether Pope Francis — the first Jesuit pope — is in fact moving the Catholic Church in a new direction.

Pope Francis' pilgrimage for unity

May 12, 2014

Catholics sometimes forget what the Pope's job is. It's not hard to mistake the Masses, meetings, audiences, addresses, encyclicals, photo opportunities and tours of St. Peter's Square in the popemobile for the Pope's job.

May 13

Patriarch wants Israelis to crack down on vandalism at religious sites

May 13, 2014

JERUSALEM - The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem called a continuing wave of vandalism against Christian, Muslim and Druze properties a "blight on Israeli democracy" and urged authorities to step up prosecution against the perpetrators.

Holy Land Christians hope Pope Francis’ visit might revive peace talks

May 13, 2014

BETHLEHEM, West Bank - With the last round of peace talks between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority stalled if not moribund, some are hoping that a scheduled visit by Pope Francis to the Holy Land in May will breathe new life into the peace process.

May 14

Day 2: Religion a reality in little town of Bethlehem

May 14, 2014

Below me the Bridgettine Sisters are chanting the office and it echoes through their guest house built into the hillside entirely out of stone, steel and tile. Outside the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer through giant loudspeakers.

Vatican official voices opposition to automated weapons systems

May 14, 2014

VATICAN CITY - No matter how sophisticated and how many algorithms are programmed to help a drone or other machine make calculations before firing on a target, autonomous weapons systems could never comply with international human rights law, a Vatican official said.

Liberals, NDP reignite abortion debate

May 14, 2014

OTTAWA - After failed attempts in the past by Conservative MPs to reopen the abortion debate, the Liberals and New Democrats have re-ignited the issue with policy initiatives that promote an abortion agenda.

Slain Alberta priest remembered as a faithful minister

May 14, 2014

ST. PAUL, ALTA. - Fr. Gilbert Dasna is being remembered for being strong and faithful to his ministry as a priest.

Arkansas to appeal ruling that strikes down ban on same-sex marriage

May 14, 2014

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Arkansas became the first Southern state to issue marriage licences to gay couples May 9 when a state judge overturned a 10-year constitutional amendment that banned same-sex unions in the state.

Antonio Banderas may be cast as Pope Francis in biopic

May 14, 2014

ROME - Spanish heartthrob Antonio Banderas may be cast in the role of Pope Francis in the first feature film to be made on the life of the Argentine pontiff.

Cardinal to Trudeau: 'reconsider your position'

May 14, 2014

TORONTO - In an open letter to Justin Trudeau that upholds the important role of faith and conscience in politics, Cardinal Thomas Collins has urged the Liberal leader to rescind his party's unprecedented ban on pro-life supporters.

The thought police

May 14, 2014

Just as elected officials are required to uphold the law they also have the right, and sometimes the duty, to advocate for reform. That doesn’t mean they’ll get their way — and most times they don’t — but in a free and democratic society it does mean they can follow their conscience, act on principle, voice reasonable opinions and, hopefully, not be judged for their beliefs, particularly those founded in faith.

No place for state in personal beliefs of nation

May 14, 2014

Just before Christmas, 1967, then-justice minister Pierre Trudeau famously said: “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.”