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September 2014

September 20

Walking the rosary, a dream come true

September 20, 2014

A 40-year dream of a walkable rosary path is finally coming to life at the Marylake Retreat Centre in King City, Ont.

Merton, a genre on his own

September 20, 2014

Simply Merton: Wisdom from his Journals, by Linus Mundy, (Franciscan Media, 138 pages, $16.00) The Trappist monk and prolific writer Thomas Merton once spoke of the “Joyce Industry” in a particularly insightful essay on several books about the eminent Irish literary giant. Little did he know that in a short span there would be a “Merton Industry,” an industry which appears to offer no sign of waning.

‘People’s museum’ of human rights to open

September 20, 2014

WINNIPEG - Carmela Finkel remembers feeling terrified.

September 21

Tradition, family up for grabs in Egypt

September 21, 2014

Two revolutions and economic collapse, wars and revolutions raging just beyond every border, his people dispersed around the world, the Internet and mass media eroding old certainties — Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak has a tough job.

Scholar decries ‘plague’ wiping out history

September 21, 2014

As Amir Harrak watched the news this summer, the Toronto scholar saw a history, culture and language that he devoted his life to understanding being turned to dust. Churches, monasteries, mosques blown up, libraries full of ancient manuscripts burned and the people who still speak and live according to the language of Jesus and his Apostles dispersed. The news out of Iraq could not have been worse.

Time now for reconciliation, Scottish bishops say

September 21, 2014

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Scotland’s Catholic bishops have urged reconciliation after a long and bruising campaign in which the Scottish people rejected independence in a Sept. 18 referendum.

September 22

Don't use God as 'armor' for waging violence, Pope Francis says in Albania

September 22, 2014

TIRANA, Albania - In a world "where an authentic religious spirit is being perverted and where religious differences are being distorted and exploited," Albania is an "aspiring example" to everyone that peaceful co-existence is possible, Pope Francis said during a one-day visit to the country Sept. 21.

Pope Francis names panel to streamline marriage annulment process

September 22, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Two weeks before the start of an extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family, the Vatican announced the formation of a special commission to reform the process of granting marriage annulments.

Survivors of Albania's dictatorship give witness, move pope to tears

September 22, 2014

TIRANA, Albania - Two survivors of Albania's communist crackdown against the church brought Pope Francis tears with their stories during a vespers service in Tirana's cathedral Sept. 21.

Will Catholic bishops annul Pope Francis’ marriage reform initiative?

September 22, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has appointed a special commission to look at ways to make it easier for Roman Catholics to dissolve their marriages in the eyes of the Church.

September 23

Pope Francis calls for 'globalization of charity' to protect migrants

September 23, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for the "globalization of charity" through an international network to fight human trafficking and ensure the rights of migrants and refugees.

Moira McQueen among five women appointed to Vatican theological commission

September 23, 2014

A touch of Canada, a touch of Scotland and a feminine touch has been added to the assembly of 30 theologians who advise the Pope and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — all in one appointment. Canadian Moira McQueen, a Scottish-born, University of Glasgow-trained lawyer turned moral theologian, is among a record five women appointed to the International Theological Commission.

September 24

Cardinal Turcotte falls gravely ill

September 24, 2014

The people of the Archdiocese of Montreal have been asked to pray for popular Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte as he lies ill in hospital.

Sr. Turgeon one step closer to sainthood

September 24, 2014

Sr. Rita Bérubé never thought she’d live to see the beatification of Sr. Marie Elisabeth Turgeon, but the day is getting closer.

Trudeau’s ‘dictatorial stand’ attacked

September 24, 2014

Former Liberal MPs demand leader rescind abortion policy

Pope Francis tries again on traditionalist reconciliation after Benedict XVI failed

September 24, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Picking up a piece of unfinished business that consumed the energies of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, the Vatican under Pope Francis is again trying to repair a decades-old breach with a controversial group of traditionalist Catholics.

Vatican puts former nuncio accused of sex abuse under house arrest

September 24, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has placed a laicized papal ambassador under house arrest as he awaits a criminal trial for sexually abusing young boys.

Send prayers, aid to those hit by Ebola, Pope Francis says

September 24, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for prayers and concrete help for the thousands of people affected by the deadly Ebola virus.

Pope Francis: Albania proves to world that diverse religions can live in peace

September 24, 2014

VATICAN CITY - People of different religious beliefs can and must live together in peace, Pope Francis said.

Vatican official calls for shared responsibility in protecting planet

September 24, 2014

UNITED NATIONS - A sense of "shared responsibility to protect our planet and the human family" must influence how nations react to the reality of climate change, the Vatican's secretary of state told the United Nations Sept. 23.