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December 2014

December 10

Religious leaders condemn U.S. torture practices as report is released

December 10, 2014

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the U.S bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace said acts of torture outlined in a Senate Intelligence Committee report "violated the God-given human dignity inherent in all people and were unequivocally wrong."

Archbishop of Canterbury warns of possibility Anglican Church "will not hold together”

December 10, 2014

CANTERBURY, England - In a lengthy interview in The Times of London, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby predicted that the Anglican Communion might not hold together because of strong disagreements on the ordination of women as bishops and full rights for LGBT people.

Toronto board chair chosen by chance

December 10, 2014

Michael Del Grande captured the chair’s seat for the Toronto Catholic District School Board by the luck of the draw.

London Diocese co-opts Pope Francis to spread its prayerful message

December 10, 2014

The London Diocese is taking advantage of the overwhelming popularity of Pope Francis to spread a prayerful message.

Ploughshares will remain voice for peace

December 10, 2014

Project Ploughshares will not surrender. Despite the loss of significant government contracts and grants, the 38-year-old organization is launching a new strategic plan, searching for a new executive director and settling into a new home in Waterloo, Ont.

Latin American Church leaders call for Church with 'Amazonian face'

December 10, 2014

Latin American Church leaders apologized for historical complicity with colonial atrocities in the Amazon and called for a Church with an "Amazonian face" in a pastoral letter issued as negotiators from around the world met for a climate summit here.

Synod disagreement part of a dialogue, Pope says

December 10, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis used his weekly audience Dec. 10 to challenge media reports of “clashes between factions” at the recent bishops’ Synod on family issues.

Kenya Church leaders alarmed by al-Shabab’s persecution of Christians

December 10, 2014

NAIROBI, Kenya - Church leaders say attacks by Somalia’s al-Shabab militants in the northeast region of Kenya are increasingly taking on an anti-Christian tenor, including targeted executions of non-Muslims.

December 11

As nuns face off against traffickers, priests asked to join the fight

December 11, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Leaving their habits behind and disguised along with police in regular clothes, a small group of three or four nuns raid brothels in Calcutta, India, at night, snatching young women and girls as young as 12 from the clutches of their captors.

Note to self: don't run yourself ragged this Christmas

December 11, 2014

I have just returned from Edinburgh’s largest department store with a mattress pad and a pair of “nude” nylon tights. The mattress pad is for a guest bed, and the nylons are for me. One of the small annoyances of British life is that hosiery manufacturers seem to think the average nude Brit is walnut-coloured. In Canada I would at least have the choice of “alabaster,” the colour I actually am.

Let us be servants of the Lord

December 11, 2014

We are often eager to do favours for others without considering how they might feel about it. Do they really want or need what we have in mind? Are we satisfying our own needs under the guise of being openhanded and generous? This is even more the case when God is the recipient of our favours and gifts. Does God want or need what we offer?

Two churches, two sacred places, two struggles

December 11, 2014

God has given us two churches, one is found everywhere and the other is found at select places. Some of us prefer one of these and struggle with the other, but both are sacred places where God can be found and worshipped.

Forgiveness comes in different ways, times

December 11, 2014

The other day a real-life discussion between pals reminded me of Unbroken, a movie opening on Christmas Day and based on the best-selling book and true story of a courageous American airman during the Second World War.

Constantinople an Orthodox relic

December 11, 2014

Fifty years ago Blessed Paul VI went to Jerusalem — the first papal trip outside Italy in our time, inaugurating the practice of apostolic journeys — to meet Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople, primus inter pares of all the Orthodox patriarchs. It was a historic moment that, after nearly a millennia of separation, the Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter and universal pastor of the Church, would meet with the Patriarch of Constantinople, the “New Rome,” successor of St. Andrew and ecumenical patriarch of all Orthodoxy.

It’s never too late to be like Christ

December 11, 2014

I have never quite understood those people who become so upset at the non-Christian celebration or perhaps exploitation of Christmas. Santa, even Rudolph and certainly Ebenezer Scrooge are not alternatives but extensions of the Christian message.

Beliveau's legacy

December 11, 2014

Several years ago Jean Beliveau was asked to name the book he would select if he could own just one. “The Bible,” he told the Montreal Gazette. “It’s a book I could read the rest of my life.”

Time to tackle global warming running out, Pope tells climate summit

December 11, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Tackling the problem of climate change is a serious ethical and moral responsibility, Pope Francis told negotiators from around the world meeting for a climate summit in Lima, Peru.

Lama says Pope Francis is unwilling to meet: ‘It could cause problems’

December 11, 2014

ROME - The Dalai Lama said he would not meet Pope Francis while in Rome for a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Exodus: Gods and Kings

December 11, 2014

NEW YORK - Time was when the biblical extravaganza was a Hollywood staple.

December 12

Jock picks God over game

December 12, 2014

Br. Nathan Wayne had an atypical road to the religious life. A self-described “total jock” during his high school years in Syracuse, N.Y., he was a star player on the Christian Brothers Academy basketball team, a school renowned for its athletics, and also enjoyed football and skiing. The now 26-year-old member of the Legion of Christ credits a few committed recruiters with leading him to where he is today, serving youth across Ontario.