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April 2016

April 14

D&P receives $5.95 million in matching funds for Syrian refugees

April 14, 2016

OTTAWA – The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has received $5.95 million in additional funding from the federal government’s Syria Emergency Relief Fund.

We are stewards, not owners, of creation

April 14, 2016

MONTREAL – Mankind was created to take care of creation, not to own it, the archbishop of Manila told a Montreal audience April 6.

Government introduces bill to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide

April 14, 2016

OTTAWA – The federal government introduced legislation April 14 to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide for competent adults with grievous medical conditions.

Pro-life groups dismayed by ‘dangerous’ assisted suicide bill

April 14, 2016

OTTAWA – Pro-life organizations have condemned Bill C-14 that will legalizing “medical assistance in dying,” calling it “dangerous.”

Collins concerned about conscience protection in assisted suicide legislation

April 14, 2016

With a federal bill tabled that will enshrine a legal right to voluntary euthanasia, Toronto’s Cardinal Thomas Collins is still looking for conscience protections for individual doctors and nurses as well as for religiously affiliated healthcare institutions.

Mercy for families

April 14, 2016

Perhaps Cardinal Christoph Schonborn best summarizes Pope Francis’ papal exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love): “There are true innovations, but no break” in tradition, the Austrian theologian told reporters the day the exhortation was released.

April 15

Austrian Church leaders criticize government for new barriers at border

April 15, 2016

WARSAW, Poland – Austrian Church leaders criticized their government for rebuilding border controls in a bid to keep out refugees.

An imperfect people on a spiritual journey to God

April 15, 2016

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C) April 24 (Acts 14:21b-27; Psalm 145; Revelation 21:1-5a; John 13:1, 31-33a, 34-35) What sort of word did Paul and Barnabas proclaim to the communities they founded? We can expect that the death and resurrection of Jesus was first on the list — details about His life came later. Most importantly, their proclamation included the warning that Jesus had been appointed judge of the living and the dead.

Bordering on foolishness

April 15, 2016

It is not right to make fun of someone’s writing. I fear the critical boomerang may come back and slap me in the face.

Our ongoing fight for love

April 15, 2016

The challenge of fighting for what we believe in isn’t necessarily a fight many of us would like to have. If anything, many of us would avoid it and hope for the best.

Pope Francis meets with Bolivian president

April 15, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Bolivian President Evo Morales discussed social policy and the economic situation facing his country.

Campaign Life calls for ban on sex-selective abortion

April 15, 2016

TORONTO – Campaign Life Coalition is calling for a ban on sex-selective abortions after a study showed the practice is prevalent in the Indian-Canadian community.

Poor timing: assisted suicide bill comes at time of First Nations suicide crisis

April 15, 2016

OTTAWA – Canadians Catholic bishops, Catholic organizations and pro-life groups are concerned about the Liberal government’s assisted suicide Bill C-14, especially given the tragedy at Attawapiskat.

Nigerian bishops urge government to hasten effort to free abductees

April 15, 2016

LAGOS, Nigeria (CNS) – Two Nigerian bishops called on the government to hasten its efforts to free 219 school girls who were abducted by insurgents two years ago.

April 16

Alabama's coach, wife devoted members of Catholic parish on campus

April 16, 2016

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The University of Alabama's national championship-winning football coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry, have teamed up to be advocates and donors to support two major construction projects at the Catholic church on campus where they worship.

Bernie Sanders says invite to Vatican not an endorsement

April 16, 2016

VATICAN CITY – U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said attending a Vatican conference on Catholic social teaching did not represent a political endorsement of his run for higher office.

Despite challenges, fight against assisted suicide goes on

April 16, 2016

MONTREAL – When Quebec’s doctors were blindsided by their professional association and its support for assisted suicide, Dr. Catherine Ferrier knew she had to spring into action. “We didn’t see it coming. We knew it was out there but it was on the margins. Three-quarters of the population was against medically assisted suicide. The legislation kept dying” every time a politician would introduce a motion in favour of assisted suicide, said Ferrier, who has been one of the leaders in the fight against medical aid in dying for the past seven years.

Pope, Orthodox leaders listen to cries of refugees, urge help

April 16, 2016

MYTILENE, Greece – Although their speeches were punctuated with policy appeals, Pope Francis and Orthodox leaders focused their visit to the island of Lesbos on the faces, stories and drawings of refugees.

Pope prays for refugees, brings 12 Syrians back to Rome

April 16, 2016

MYTILENE, Greece – Pope Francis' five-hour visit to Greece ended with him offering safe passage to Italy to 12 Syrian Muslims, half under the age of 18.

Sr. Prejean believes in dignity for all

April 16, 2016

WINDSOR, ONT. – Sr. Helen Prejean said ministering to inmates on death row, and prisoners in general, is something that takes effort and persistence, but it is mutually beneficial to her in her call as a religious sister.