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January 2015

January 9

On not being stingy with God’s mercy

January 9, 2015

Today, for a number of reasons, we struggle to be generous and prodigal with God’s mercy.

Be ready and open to God’s call

January 9, 2015

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Jan. 18 (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42) How many of us are called upon by God without realizing it? Divine addresses are seldom of the dramatic type portrayed in Hollywood biblical epics. They usually lack the beams of light and angelic choirs. God’s call is often innocuous enough to be overlooked or mistaken for something else. Only its persistence sets it apart.

Conversion therapy is unlike Christ

January 9, 2015

Four years ago, a priest gave a homily that has stuck in my mind ever since: “God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.” He continued to say that there wasn’t a single thing a person could do, nor was there a single thing about a person that would make God stop loving that person — not his or her gender, race or sexual orientation.

Panel advising Vatican unanimous that Archbishop Romero is a martyr

January 9, 2015

VATICAN CITY - A panel of theologians advising the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, according to the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.

Funding running out for Iraqi refugees in Jordan

January 9, 2015

AMMAN, Jordan - A Catholic official warned that funding will soon run out to feed and house thousands of Iraqi Christians sheltering in Jordan after being made homeless by Islamic State militants.

January 10

Indian priest, ‘miracle son,’ are eager for Blessed Vaz canonization

January 10, 2015

PILAR, INDIA - Sri Lankan Catholics are looking forward to Pope Francis’ canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz Jan. 14, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of Fr. Cosme Jose Costa stands apart.

Five years after closure, Montreal’s East End Cathedral reopens

January 10, 2015

Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Montreal's Saint Nom-de-Jesus church was closed due to a fire. There was, in fact, no fire but the church was closed at the insistence of fire inspectors. MONTREAL - Five years after it was closed, more than a thousand parishioners and visiting dignitaries filled Montreal’s historic Saint Nom-de Jésus on Christmas Eve to celebrate the reopening of their church.

In Philippines, spirituality includes warfare against forces of darkness

January 10, 2015

MANILA, Philippines - In the months leading up to Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines Jan. 15-19, Church leaders emphasized "spiritual preparation," such as a special prayer for the Pope at the end of each Mass and a reminder to carry out small acts of kindness toward the less fortunate.

Daughters of St. Paul: media mavens for 100 years

January 10, 2015

TORONTO - Over the years, the strongest of Pauline Sisters could manage the huge printing presses and handle the massive rolls of paper — work that men usually did. But these women religious were determined to share the Gospel the way their founder thought best a century ago: The Daughters of St. Paul were made for media.

January 11

New executive director for CCAS in Toronto

January 11, 2015

TORONTO - A new year brings a new exective director for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.

Christians maintain hope in Syria’s bleakness

January 11, 2015

TORONTO - It’s not easy being Syrian, especially if you’re the forgotten minority caught in the tsunami of sectarian massacres and ethnic cleansing referred to as the Syrian civil war.

Scarboro Missions puts out the call

January 11, 2015

Scarboro Missions is seeking those with the guts and grit to answer God’s call to serve as a foreign missioner on a short-term basis.

Anglicans asked to deny gay marriage for good of church

January 11, 2015

The international Anglican commission with responsibility for keeping the Anglican Communion together has asked the Anglican Church of Canada not to change its canon law to allow same-sex marriage.

January 12

Pope to diplomats: Rejecting God, people, nature leads to conflict

January 12, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Highlighting some of the most urgent conflicts facing the world, Pope Francis said such strife and injustices were rooted in a culture of rejection that refuses to recognize God, to protect nature and to respect other human beings.

African church leaders worry about the ‘medicalization’ of female genital mutilation

January 12, 2015

NAIROBI, Kenya - International rights groups, churches and activists are escalating campaigns against female genital mutilation now that a new practice has emerged in which girls are checking into hospitals to have the procedure.

Sri Lankans work to finalize the little details for Pope Francis' visit

January 12, 2015

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Hours before Pope Francis was to arrive in Sri Lanka, people in Colombo were busy with final preparations.

Charlie Hebdo 'part of the situation' that led to attack, says Charles Taylor

January 12, 2015

While nothing can ever justify cold-blooded murder, the Charlie Hebdo murders in Paris are no surprise, said Canada’s most famous Catholic philosopher.

Vatican downplays report that it’s under threat from Islamic terrorists

January 12, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican rejected reports that it could be the next target of Islamist terrorists after last week’s deadly attacks in France.

Nigerian archbishop calls for unity marches following Boko Haram massacres

January 12, 2015

Nigerian Roman Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama says his country needs a similar march to the one held in Paris on Sunday (Jan. 11) to pay tribute to victims of Islamist militant attacks.

Pope thanks Catholics for helping Haiti, says much more left to do

January 12, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis thanked Catholics worldwide for helping people in Haiti recover from a devastating earthquake, but said "there is still much work left to do."