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April 2015

April 23

Principles for interfaith dialogue, attitudes

April 23, 2015

We live inside a world and inside religions that are too given to disrespect and violence. Virtually every newscast documents the prevalence of disrespect and violence done in the name of religion, disrespect done for the sake of God (strange as that expression may seem). Invariably those acting in this way see their actions, justified by sacred cause.

Islam stands with us against blood, violence of terrorism

April 23, 2015

The words to describe Islamic State atrocities have been all but exhausted. The bloodcurdling images in the news of their attacks stir the deepest resentment and there appears to be no end in sight to their violent activities. All of society feels insecure and vulnerable.

Jordan Spieth proves nice guys can finish first

April 23, 2015

With his wire-to-wire win at the Masters golf tournament this month, Jordan Spieth proved an old adage wrong: Nice guys don’t have to finish last.

Today’s villain, tomorrow’s saint

April 23, 2015

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B) May 3 (Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8) Small wonder that Saul — later Paul — was feared by the Jerusalem community. They wanted nothing to do with him, for he had terrorized the community of believers in Christ relentlessly. By his own admission in his letters, Paul had hunted them down and arrested them, voting in favour of the death penalty at their trials.

Equal platform

April 23, 2015

The institutions of society should always show respect and tolerance for people of every faith or no faith. The goal should be inclusiveness and accommodation. That’s how a genuinely pluralistic, multicultural society works.

The Grey Nuns played an integral role in Alberta’s Church

April 23, 2015

St. Albert, Alta. - It was in the fall of 1859 that the Grey Nuns arrived in Alberta, welcomed by Fr. Albert Lacombe at Lac Ste. Anne with ringing church bells and dancing First Nations people.

Constitutional challenge seeks truth of abortion numbers

April 23, 2015

TORONTO - With 100,000 pink and blue flags littered across the front lawn of Queen’s Park representing Canada’s annual abortion toll, a blogger and a Protestant civil rights organization announced a constitutional challenge to Ontario freedom of information laws that keep all abortion statistics secret.

On eve of anniversary, Turkey’s ‘cultural genocide’ of Armenian history is ongoing

April 23, 2015

YUKARI BAKRACLI, Turkey - This tiny Kurdish village outside the city of Van in Turkey’s southeast is home to the ruins of a once-famous 11th-century Armenian Christian monastery.

April 24

Meeting with Holocaust survivors in living rooms

April 24, 2015

TEL AVIV - A variation on the serious theme of Holocaust testimony has brought survivors and young Israeli students together in living rooms to celebrate life while remembering atrocities.

Nun’s quest for renewal lands her in Ireland

April 24, 2015

It is often said that a religious sister never truly retires, and Sr. Mary Ann Maxwell is living proof. The Canadian member of the Sisters of Charity of Immaculate Conception spent her first 37 years as a nun working as both a teacher and principalin the Catholic school system, from which she had just graduated.

Congregation de Notre Dame sisters reach out online to show value of consecrated life

April 24, 2015

Sr. Susan Kidd said the need for consecrated life in the world hasn’t changed, but she admits there was a time when the religious were more visible and it was easier to connect with a sister.

In remote Arctic towns, radio connects Church with local Catholics

April 24, 2015

Approximately 800 km northwest of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories is Fort Good Hope, a remote, mostly First Nations community through which the mighty Mackenzie River flows on its way to the Arctic Ocean.

Nun has found her happy place

April 24, 2015

In Sr. Anna Chan’s earlier career in retail management, she sought happiness through a love of fine clothes, shoes and bags. “I was looking for happiness,” said Chan, “but I was looking in the wrong place.”

NET Canada turns 20!

April 24, 2015

Twenty years of youth ministry is a big deal, which is why NET Ministries of Canada decided to celebrate the milestone with a year-long celebration.

Ambiguities about Serra should not discount sainthood, panelists say

April 24, 2015

WASHINGTON - Although the upcoming canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra has stirred mixed reaction, a group of panelists said the ambiguities around the friar should not discount the good work he did or the positive dialogue and reconciliation that could result from his sainthood.

Italians arrest suspected terrorists; Vatican says no current threat

April 24, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Italian police arrested at least nine people in what officials described as a terrorist cell that had planned, in 2010, to strike at the Vatican with a suicide bomber.

French media report ambassador to Vatican rejected because he is gay

April 24, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Despite media reports that Pope Francis refused the candidate France proposed as its next ambassador to the Holy See — speculating that it is due to the fact Laurent Stefanini is homosexual — the French government has yet to receive an official response from the Vatican, said a spokesperson for the French government.

Polish church recalls clergy martyrs 70 years after Dachau liberation

April 24, 2015

WARSAW, Poland - Poland's Catholic Church has urged a fitting tribute to hundreds of its priests who died during World War II at the Nazi concentration camp in Dachau, Germany.

Ontario English Catholic teachers may strike before exams

April 24, 2015

Ontario's English Catholic teachers could be on the picket lines before students receive their final report card this school year. After two days of voting, more than 94 per cent of Ontario’s English Catholic teachers told their union they would walk a picket line if negotiators can’t get a better deal in continuing talks with the province and school board trustees.

April 25

Philadelphia prepares for mega event: hosting Pope Francis

April 25, 2015

PHILADELPHIA - Advance preparations for the wildly popular Pope Francis, due in Philadelphia five months from now, might rival the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000.