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October 2015

October 14

Pope asks forgiveness for scandals in Rome, Vatican

October 14, 2015

VATICAN CITY - With 30,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis asked forgiveness for scandals that have occurred within the Church recently.

Scripture’s truth must overcome secular culture

October 14, 2015

The Church must uphold “the objective truths of Sacred Scripture” in the face of a secular culture that poses a grave challenge to the Christian view of family, Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins told the Synod of Bishops meeting in the Vatican.

As election looms, euthanasia ‘taboo’ topic of campaign

October 14, 2015

OTTAWA - In the final days of the federal election campaign, an array of anti-euthanasia groups nationwide has accused the political parties of “fleeing their responsibilities” on an issue too important to be swept under the carpet.

Melkite archbishop urges British not to support militants in Syria

October 14, 2015

LONDON - A Syrian archbishop warned British politicians of the folly of supporting Islamic militants in the war in his country.

Synod calls for Bible-based presentation of God's plan for family

October 14, 2015

VATICAN CITY - As members of the Synod of Bishops concluded work on the second of three chapters in their working document, they continued to call for a tone and for language that is clear, simple and encourages people to see it is possible to live the vocation of marriage and family life.

October 15

Planned Parenthood in U.S. will no longer take payments for fetal tissue

October 15, 2015

NEW YORK - The president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said Oct. 13 that the organization's clinics will no longer accept reimbursement for fetal tissue procured in abortions and provided to researchers.

‘Beware of those who limit the gratuity of salvation’

October 15, 2015

Beware of those who limit God’s horizons and reduce the love of God down to our size. That was at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily at the Mass Thursday morning (Oct.15) at the Casa Santa Marta.

Make votes count

October 15, 2015

The newspaper business has a long tradition of endorsing candidates on the eve of an election.

Which Canadian way will alter the Tiber?

October 15, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Canadians had a rather prominent role in the first week of the Synod on the Family. Two of the language- based discussion groups elected Canadians as their moderators — Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto for one of the English groups, and Cardinal Gerald Lacroix for one of the French.

Our overestimated grandiosity

October 15, 2015

There are now more than seven billion people on this Earth and each one of us feels that he or she is the centre of the universe. That accounts for most of the problems we have in the world, in our neighbourhoods, in our families.

Faith means trusting in God’s goodness

October 15, 2015

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Oct. 25 ( Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52) The words of this prophecy sound far too joyful and positive to have come from Jeremiah. His prophecies were known for bitterness, lamentation, misery and predictions of doom. This prophecy, on the other hand, is alive with joy and a sense of a bright and happy future for God’s people.

Synod’s bishops are in for a long process

October 15, 2015

For Fr. Gilles Routhier, one of the world’s leading historians of the Second Vatican Council, watching the Synod unfold in Rome is more exciting than any Game 7 in any sport you care to name.

Day of service connects students to Catholic community

October 15, 2015

TORONTO - About 150 high school students took to the streets of Toronto to answer the annual A Catholic Call to Serve (ACCTS).

Ukrainian bishops say military struggle must be matched by moral change

October 15, 2015

KIEV, Ukraine - Ukraine's Catholic bishops have urged citizens to back a "profound transformation" by voting in upcoming elections in areas controlled by the national government.

October 16

Pope Francis has his own pop album

October 16, 2015

God is calling us. Jesus is calling us. Now, Pope Francis is calling us, except this time he isn’t only using his words, he’s using music.

Mary Ward school sings for Syria

October 16, 2015

TORONTO - Juno-nominated folk duo DALA is returning to its alma mater in hope of raising $30,000 for Lifeline Syria.

Popeat UN a boost for nuclear prohibition

October 16, 2015

UNITED NATIONS - In the warm afterglow of Pope Francis’ Sept 25 address to the General Assembly, veteran United Nations’ observers drew a starkly candid road map of urgent actions that the world body must take to achieve its security agenda.

Beware of the virus of hypocrisy

October 16, 2015

We need to pray so as not to be infected by the "virus" of hypocrisy, a self-righteous attitude that seduces with lies that lurk in the shadows. Pope Francis was referring to the words of Jesus in the Gospel, during his homily on Friday at Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

King’s is helping to lift refugees out of poverty

October 16, 2015

LONDON, ONT. - A little boy with long curly hair bounces around the worship space of Labatt Hall as Sunday Mass begins at King’s University College. Two-year old Zenos Istefan finds a seat next to the priest in the sanctuary. His family has only been in Canada since August, yet he has already made Canada and the worship space his home.

Toronto school among Top 10 in recycling nationwide

October 16, 2015

TORONTO - On its multi-year environmental journey, the St. Maurice Catholic School community has recycled its 100,000th non-blue bin item.