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November 2014

November 20

Religious liberty at stake

November 20, 2014

It’s doubtful Janet Epp Buckingham ever dreamed the dream of a law school at Trinity Western University would turn into a crucial test case for religious liberty.

Christ is the one King who won’t be deposed

November 20, 2014

The Feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925, just as the age of kings was ending. The natural order of society — kingly rule — for millennia, was replaced by the modern state. Christians who may not have known kings were reminded that Christ was their king.

St. Louis Catholic schools prepare for Ferguson grand jury verdict

November 20, 2014

ST. LOUIS - While the timing of the grand jury decision involving the Michael Brown shooting remained uncertain, Catholic schools in the Ferguson area were already prepared in case the ruling comes down with classes in session.

Catholicism key to mystery of Shakespeare

November 20, 2014

Before I became convinced that William Shakespeare was a Roman Catholic, I was one of those conspiratorially minded chaps who believed Shakespeare was not the person who wrote the greatest single cache of plays in the English language.

Be prepared for when the Lord returns

November 20, 2014

First Sunday of Advent (Year B) Nov. 30 (Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1, 3-8; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37) Who is responsible when disaster or collapse strike? It is human nature to make excuses and look for something and/or someone to blame. The passage from Isaiah dates from the fifth century B.C. The exiles had returned from Babylon but the land of Israel still had not recovered. The temple and the city of Jerusalem were shadows of their glory days, and the land was depressed socially and economically. Various factions competed for dominance in the governance of the nation. People were clearly disillusioned and cynical, and most of us at one time or another have shared their feelings.

Catholics must engage in making disciples, Fr. Mallon tells Toronto audience

November 20, 2014

TORONTO - Fr. James Mallon believes your parish can be better, that it must be better and that a better parish is your responsibility.

Waging spiritual warfare on evil

November 20, 2014

Spiritual literature has always highlighted the primordial struggle between good and evil, and this has generally been conceived of as a war, a spiritual battle. Thus, as Christians, we have been warned that we must be vigilant against the powers of Satan and various other forces of evil. And we’ve fought these powers not just with prayer and private moral vigilance but with everything from Holy Water, to exorcisms, to a dogmatic avoidance of everything to do with the occult, the paranormal, alchemy, astrology, spiritualism, etc. For Christians these were seen as dangerous venues through which malevolent spirits could enter our lives and do us harm.

November 21

Parent group wary about sex ed survey

November 21, 2014

TORONTO - Trying to avoid the parental backlash that erupted over its revised health and sex education curriculum in 2010, the Ontario Liberals have established an online consultation process on an updated sex-ed curriculum to be implemented in September. But already, it has run afoul of one parent group.

Struggles of a student evangelist

November 21, 2014

How educating others on Catholicism can refresh one’s faith

Happiness: a misguided search

November 21, 2014

ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Happiness is different than joy or pleasure, said Peter Koritansky, calling it a misunderstood emotion.

As Obama unveils program, other efforts aim to help Central Americans

November 21, 2014

WASHINGTON - As millions of immigrants to the United States celebrate the possibility of protection from deportation under a new Obama administration plan, among those who cannot take advantage of it will be the 68,445 families and 68,541 unaccompanied minors who were apprehended at the border in the last fiscal year.

Create jobs, don't just expand welfare, handouts, Pope says

November 21, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church calls for the creation of job opportunities and the recognition of the dignity of the poor, not simply for more handouts or expanded government welfare programs, Pope Francis said.

Kenyan city of Mombasa tense after mosque closures

November 21, 2014

NAIROBI, Kenya - Christian and Muslim leaders fear more violence in the coastal city of Mombasa after the government indefinitely closed four mosques over suspected terror activities.

Trustee leadership course to focus on Catholic issues

November 21, 2014

TORONTO - The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association has developed a 12-week course focusing on Catholic leadership for its members.

Chaldean patriarch urges moderate Muslims to challenge extremist acts

November 21, 2014

VIENNA - Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad implored moderate Muslims to reject "terrorism in the name of religion" and step up to challenge the actions of Islamic State militants against minority communities in Iraq.

November 22

Bob Carson’s dream comes true

November 22, 2014

TORONTO - Being the crossword puzzle guy in a prison means you are never without friends. You become the go-to person when someone is stumped.

Pius XII book earns honour for King’s prof Ventresca

November 22, 2014

A Canadian has captured the first ever American Catholic Historical Association prize for biography.

In Scripture, we learn of Christ

November 22, 2014

Growing up in Nigeria, Fr. Victor Abimbola Amole wanted to become a doctor, until age 12 when he met a missionary priest from Ireland who changed his life’s path. By age 16, he began to consider the priesthood and by 18 his mind was set.

Cardinal O’Malley repeats: Church needs to discipline bishops over sex abuse

November 22, 2014

Following up on remarks to 60 Minutes about the clergy sex abuse crisis and other controversial topics, Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley has stressed that the Catholic Church needs a system to hold bishops accountable and must “avoid crowd-based condemnations.”

November 23

Pope's Philippine's visit for healing, not fundraising

November 23, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Church officials expect the Pope's Jan. 15-19 visit to bring healing to victims of disasters. They also emphasized that the visit will not be a fundraising event for the Church.