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March 2015

March 1

Call builds to use notwithstanding clause to trump assisted-suicide ruling

March 1, 2015

A number of voices have called on the federal government to trump the Supreme Court’s assisted-suicide decision with the notwithstanding clause — the controversial section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which allows Parliament to pass laws contravening some rights and liberties for up to five years before legislators have to re-vote on the matter or craft new legislation.

Relics and artifacts can help us ‘find Jesus’

March 1, 2015

Why are we so fascinated with any historical artifact — relics, as some call them — associated with Jesus?

The familial ties that bind

March 1, 2015

In the end, after 70, 80, 90 years on the planet, chances are the people you will have known best, longest and most thoroughly will be your brothers and sisters. They are the people who came with you into the world out of the same womb.

Journeying with a friend on the path to death can be life-giving

March 1, 2015

EDMONTON - Jo-Anne Paquette’s three-month journey with Martha Shephard as she died from a brain tumour was both physically draining and a spiritual gift for Paquette.

Marriage is two imperfect people who refuse to give up

March 1, 2015

ST. ALBERT, ALTA. - Divorce statistics aside, Christians still see marriage as a tremendous gift in their lives.

March 2

Baby born after RU-486 reversal is 'light of our life,' says father

March 2, 2015

WASHINGTON - Two-month-old Gabriel Caicedo is one of 78 children who have been saved by a new medical protocol being used to reverse the effects of the RU-486 abortion regimen in its early stages.

Profit is tool for measuring success, but people come first, Pope says

March 2, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Profit must never be a Christian's god, although it is one of the tools for measuring the effectiveness of business choices and the ability of a company to help workers feed their families, Pope Francis said.

19 Assyrian Christians released, but many concerned for more than 200 said to be held captive

March 2, 2015

AMMAN, Jordan - Christians in the Middle East welcomed the release of nearly 20 Assyrian Christians abducted by Islamic State militants in northeastern Syria, but expressed concern that more than 200 others remained in captivity.

Catholic aid group channels money to help Christians displaced in Syria

March 2, 2015

BEIRUT - A pontifical aid organization has begun sending aid to families who fled their homes when Islamic State militants raided a cluster of Assyrian Christian villages on the Khabur River in northeast Syria.

Remedy against violence is seeing differences as beneficial, says Pope

March 2, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The best antidote to violence is teaching people to discover and accept differences as being valuable, Pope Francis told the bishops of North Africa.

Nigerian bishops criticize Boko Haram's use of kids as suicide bombers

March 2, 2015

LAGOS, Nigeria - Nigeria's bishops criticized Boko Haram insurgents' use of children to commit crimes such as suicide bombings.

March 3

Seeds of vocation planted in 500 students

March 3, 2015

BRAMPTON, ONT. - Students who have an interest in a higher calling came together March 3 to explore their religious and priestly vocation curiosity.

Vatican security always on high alert, chief says after IS threats

March 3, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The head of Vatican security said Islamic State militants have threatened the Vatican, but there are no indications of any planned attack.

U.S. priest to Irish safeguarding meeting: Church not haven for abusers

March 3, 2015

ATHLONE, Ireland - The Catholic Church is "no longer a safe haven for child abusers," said a top priest psychologist who advises the U.S. bishops on child sexual abuse.

Rules for Vatican finance offices include protection for whistleblowers

March 3, 2015

VATICAN CITY - New rules governing the guidance, oversight and control of Vatican financial and administrative activities include the power to levy sanctions and take "civil or criminal action" in cases of "damage to assets," as well as providing protection for whistleblowers raising red flags about "anomalous activity."

Tories quash motion to fast-track euthanasia law

March 3, 2015

OTTAWA - The federal Conservatives intend to undertake extensive consultations and still meet the one-year deadline set by the Supreme Court of Canada when it struck down the laws against assisted suicide in the Carter decision Feb. 6.

Aid official says Gazans have lost hope, situation worse than during war

March 3, 2015

JERUSALEM - Six months after the end of the most recent war in Gaza, there is still a "grave humanitarian crisis" in the narrow strip wedged between the Egyptian and Israeli borders, where more than 1.8 million Palestinians live closed off to the world because of an international embargo.

March 4

Campaign Life reveals theme for 2015 March for Life

March 4, 2015

OTTAWA - Campaign Life Coalition has announced “Let Life Win” as the theme of the 2015 National March for Life to be held May 14 in Ottawa.

TCDSB dealing with a $16.9-million shortfall due to accounting error

March 4, 2015

TORONTO - An accounting error in the previous budget means that the Toronto Catholic District School Board is expected to end this school year with a $16.9-million deficit.

Pope’s ‘popular mandate’ making enemies

March 4, 2015

EDMONTON - Pope Francis is a radical reformer who is facing enemies inside and outside the Church opposed to at least some parts of his agenda, says a prominent Church historian.