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February 2016

February 27

Internet changing face of theology schools

February 27, 2016

Journalists, taxi drivers, musicians and motels have all had their economic apple carts upset by the Internet. Theology professors are discovering they too are not immune from the game-changing, democratizing effect of the world wide web.

Catholic universities take next step in Truth and Reconciliation

February 27, 2016

The Truth and Reconciliation process examining past wrongs done to Canada’s First Nations people may be complete, but for Catholic universities the time to respond to the TRC’s “Call to Action” has just begun.

When it comes to theology, Newman bookstore is the place to get it all

February 27, 2016

EDMONTON - The hectic times at Newman Theological Bookstore, as at any college or university bookstore, are the start of each semester.

Bishops say Catholic school rights must be respected

February 27, 2016

EDMONTON - Alberta Education Minister David Eggen is confident after meeting with the province’s Catholic bishops that the two sides will be able to find common ground on his department’s gender-identity guidelines.

February 28

Ministry in Aleppo is about keeping hope alive

February 28, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Even in the midst of constant bombing, Jesuit and Salesian priests remain in war-torn Aleppo, Syria, trying to create a sense of normalcy for those unable to leave.

Saint Mary’s enlists peers in mental health counselling

February 28, 2016

Going crazy isn’t what it used to be on campus. Mental illness is no longer a problem of weak or immature students to be sniggered at or ignored.

New Brescia principal finds right fit

February 28, 2016

When Brescia University College contacted Susan Mumm, they made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

Ignoring spiritual dimension education’s ‘biggest crisis’

February 28, 2016

VATICAN CITY - To be truly formative, Catholic higher education has to continue to entrench students with human values, particularly the value of transcendence, said Pope Francis.

Finding mercy in the city

February 28, 2016

TORONTO - Ever since Sodom and Gomorrah got their just desserts, no city has enjoyed a reputation for kindness, compassion, tranquility or Christian morality. At best the city is indifferent. More often urban anonymity bleeds into the darkness of sin. There are more sin cities than any other kind of city.

Long forgotten altar stone a relic of Church’s past

February 28, 2016

TORONTO - Finding a portable altar stone containing first class relics among the forgotten items in the basement of the Paulist Centre for Catholic Evangelization caught Fr. Michael McGourty by surprise.

St. Louis archbishop pushes for switch to Girl Scout alternatives

February 28, 2016

ST. LOUIS - The Archdiocese of St. Louis has formed a new Catholic Committee for Girls Formation that is being charged with ministry to all girls in the archdiocese.

Vatican envoys risk their lives to end 'World War III,' archbishop says

February 28, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Even in the midst of bombings, Vatican ambassadors stay put, risking their lives while working to end what Pope Francis has termed a "piecemeal" World War III, said the Vatican minister of foreign affairs.

February 29

Ordination is call to service, says new Bishop Tighe

February 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY - In the presence of family, bishops and priests from Ireland and colleagues from the Vatican, Irish Msgr. Paul Tighe was ordained a bishop Feb. 27 by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Cardinal tells Australian abuse hearing he won't defend indefensible

February 29, 2016

SYDNEY - The Vatican's Prefect for the Secretariat of the Economy, Cardinal George Pell, told a special hearing of Australia's Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that he was not trying "to defend the indefensible."

For 'Mercy Friday' initiative, Pope visits young addicts at rehab center

February 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY - In the second of his "Mercy Friday" gestures, Pope Francis spent two hours with a group of young adults at a Catholic-run residential drug rehabilitation center.

Oscar-winning Spotlight not anti-Catholic

February 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican newspaper has come to the defense of the Oscar-winning film, Spotlight, which has been viewed as “anti-Catholic” by some observers.