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September 24, 2014
ROME - Barbie has had a number of careers in her 55 years — flight attendant, veterinarian, astronaut, even president. Her latest role, however, is raising eyebrows.
September 25, 2014
Pope Francis has asked that Sept. 28 be a day of prayer for next month’s meeting of bishops on the family. Given the crisis in family life, the Holy Father called this extraordinary Synod to address the pastoral care of the family in the context of evangelization. However, the preparation for the Synod has been entirely dominated by one topic: Will Catholics who are divorced and have entered a second civil marriage be permitted to receive Holy Communion? At the moment they should not receive Holy Communion, as any Catholic who is in a state of mortal sin is not to receive Holy Communion.
The extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family will examine a broad range of important issues but, even before the Oct. 5 opening session, one question dominates: Will Pope Francis entertain a reinterpretation of doctrine to permit full participation in the sacraments for civilly divorced and remarried Catholics who have not received a Church annulment? In short, will they be welcomed back to Communion?
WASHINGTON - More than 120 Muslim scholars from around the world joined an open letter to the “fighters and followers” of the Islamic State, denouncing them as un-Islamic by using the most Islamic of terms.
Early September found our family sitting in front of a university, again.
Not so long ago, it would have been considered the kiss of death for Canada’s Catholic bishops to launch a national campaign against medicalized killing.
This month 673,000 students were registered to attend English and French Catholic schools in Ontario. Their registration is a choice made by parents who value and acknowledge the importance of Catholic education for their children.
VATICAN CITY - After a Vatican investigation, Pope Francis removed a Paraguayan bishop from his post as head of the Diocese of Ciudad del Este because of "serious pastoral reasons."
TORONTO - It’s hard to argue when Krystyna Dix says there’s something special about St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Elementary School.
UNITED NATIONS - Addressing the UN Security Council Sept. 24, the Vatican's secretary of state said "terrorism represents a fundamental threat to our common humanity" and its escalation requires the response of a "shared commitment" from all nations.
September 26, 2014
Anisa Yan argued in favour of strong public service — and won.
While watching a sappy reality dating show a few years ago, the TV host made a statement that stuck with me: “Are you always the bridesmaid and never the bride?”
TORONTO - Fr. Darren Dias asks Christians to learn from history and become agents of reconciliation amidst modern religious violence.
To meet Ministry of Education deadlines for implementation of full-day kindergarten, the Toronto Catholic school board has resorted to creating makeshift classrooms in gymnasiums and libraries for many of its youngest students.
It may be the diplomatic equivalent of a Hail Mary pass, but it seems Pope Francis is serious about talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Not only did the Pope tell reporters as he flew home from South Korea Aug. 18 he would go to Beijing “tomorrow” if he had the chance, he has now sent a letter to Xi through Argentinian diplomatic channels inviting the Chinese leader to the Vatican to discuss world peace.
TORONTO - Look to the peripheries for it is there you’ll find the suffering, the marginalized and Jesus Christ.