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December 2014

December 1

Changing times may call for changes in religious orders, pope says

December 1, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Religious orders and the Vatican congregation that assists them must be bold in assessing whether current structures and practices help or hinder the proclamation of the Gospel, the pursuit of holiness and the service of the poor, Pope Francis said.

Pope urges Muslim leaders to condemn Islamic violence

December 1, 2014

Pope Francis called on political and religious leaders across the Muslim world to condemn violence done in the name of Islam.

Pope's welcome in Turkey as chilly as the weather

December 1, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Ankara and Istanbul were gray and cold during Pope Francis' Nov. 28-30 visit to Turkey. And the general reception, outside of the Pope's official meetings, was hardly warmer.

December 2

Jesuit physicist, a loyal friend, problem solver

December 2, 2014

Ultra High Frequency, Extremely High Frequency and Super High Frequency — 300 MHz to 300 GHz — doesn’t sound much like a religious vocation. But for a Jesuit like Fr. Bill Lonc microwaves were just one more opportunity to discover God in all things.

Pope, religious leaders pledge to work together to end slavery by 2020

December 2, 2014

VATICAN CITY - As Pope Francis joined leaders of other churches and religions to sign a declaration pledging to work together to help end modern slavery in the world by 2020, he urged governments, businesses and all people of good will to join forces against this "crime against humanity."

Future Goals adds up to student success

December 2, 2014

Grade 8 student Samantha Bestavros is no hockey fan but the NHL might yet win her over through a new program that uses hockey to make math interesting.

Nuncio exhorts Canadian religious to build vocations culture

December 2, 2014

OTTAWA - As Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Consecrated Life Nov. 30, Canada’s Apostolic Nuncio exhorted Canadian religious to build a culture of vocations.

New evangelization needed to counter lukewarm faith, says speaker

December 2, 2014

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Ralph Martin, a leader in the Catholic renewal ministries movement, told an audience at an evangelization summit in Sioux City that he sees a danger in lukewarm faith and a de-Christianized spirit in society today.

Popular retreat centre makes its way to Canada

December 2, 2014

TORONTO - In 1985, the Vincentian Congregation opened its first retreat centre in Potta, India. The Divine Retreat Centre was so successful the Vincentians expanded the retreat ministry across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, the United States and now, finally, into Canada.

Support Catholic religious in their mission, ministries, pope says

December 2, 2014

VATICAN CITY - During the Year of Consecrated Life, all Catholics are called to thank God for the gifts members of religious orders have given the Church and the world, to join them in prayer and find practical ways to support them and their ministries, Pope Francis said.

December 3

Toronto to get the Lourdes experience

December 3, 2014

TORONTO - For most, a trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France is a luxury many may never be able to afford.

Hong Kong cardinal surrenders to police to help end street protests

December 3, 2014

HONG KONG - Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired bishop of Hong Kong, joined the civil disobedience movement organizers who surrendered to police Dec. 3, with a hope to end the present occupation campaign that has lasted more than two months.

Faith groups 'key' to fighting Ebola, says UN

December 3, 2014

VATICAN CITY - More co-operation is needed between the international community and faith leaders in stemming the ongoing Ebola epidemic, said a joint communique issued by the United Nations and the World Council of Churches.

Western U’s Catholic chaplains resign en masse

December 3, 2014

A new and bigger Muslim prayer room at Western University has triggered resignations from the entire Catholic chaplaincy team, led by Fr. Michael Bechard.

Sydney Polish church lost to fire

December 3, 2014

A long fought battle to save St. Mary’s Polish parish in Sydney, N.S., came to a fiery end on Nov. 29 as the church was reduced to ash, smouldering debris and charred remains.

December 4

Durocher offers Synod suggestions to Pope

December 4, 2014

OTTAWA - Bishops who attend Synods should spend more time in group discussions and less time listening to each other’s speeches, Gatineau Archbishop Paul-André Durocher proposed to Pope Francis.

CCCB to choose Synod delegates by late March

December 4, 2014

OTTAWA - By the end of March 2015, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will choose four delegates and two alternates to attend the ordinary Synod on the family in Rome scheduled for next October.

Pope Francis calls for ‘truth’ in case of former ambassador accused of abuse

December 4, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis told authorities from the Dominican Republic that the “truth” must prevail in the investigation of a former Vatican ambassador who was convicted and defrocked for abusing teenage boys in the Caribbean country.

Legendary Hab Jean Beliveau was close to the Church all his days

December 4, 2014

For two days, a constant stream of mourners filed past Jean Beliveau’s casket in Montreal’s Bell Centre. His widow, Elise Couture, was present to receive the sympathies from dignitaries, her husband’s teammates and ordinary fans alike.

Better churches will keep people in the pews

December 4, 2014

It’s no secret that today there’s been a massive drop-off in church attendance. Moreover that drop-off is not paralleled by the same widespread growth in atheism and agnosticism.