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May 2016

May 10

Vatican funds job-creation project for refugees in Jordan

May 10, 2016

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican is funding a job-creation program for Iraqi refugees in Jordan, a country that is hosting close to 1.5 million refugees, but is struggling to provide work for them.

Catholic college in Edmonton houses Fort McMurray evacuees

May 10, 2016

EDMONTON – A smiling St. Joseph's College employee poked her head around Danica Wolitski's door and said, "We've got another family with three children."

May 11

Get up, be faithful to God, Philippine bishops' head says after election

May 11, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The head of the Philippine bishops' conference said it was time to "get up" and be faithful to God, as millions of Filipinos elected Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte president.

Henry Carr community was actor Colantoni’s family

May 11, 2016

TORONTO – During five years Enrico Colantoni spent at the Fr. Henry Carr Catholic High School as a student, the religious and lay educators became his family.

Rosary making turned into life’s ministry

May 11, 2016

TORONTO – It is a collection of beads hung on a chain or a piece of rope, anchored by a cross. The rosary may not look like much but it is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons Catholics can carry.

When it comes to Bill C-14, time is not on our side

May 11, 2016

It is possible that Canada’s Minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould, has a sense of humour or a real flair for irony, but odds are she meant what she said as the Liberal Government invoked time closure on May 4 and shut down debate on the assisted dying legislation.

PM urged to hold Canadian mining companies to account for abuses

May 11, 2016

OTTAWA – The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to heed a letter from more than 160 Latin American organizations that has raised concerns about the operations of Canadian mining companies abroad.

Nigerian scientist to MPs: Bringing abortion to Africa reeks of 'cultural imperialism'

May 11, 2016

OTTAWA – Canadian plans to export abortion to Africa “reeks of colonialization and it reeks of cultural imperialism,” a Nigerian scientist told a gathering of MPs and senators.

Jesuit Refugee Service urging Kenya to reconsider closing refugee camps

May 11, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – Jesuit Refugee Service has urged Kenya to reconsider its plans to close camps that host hundreds of thousands of Somali and South Sudanese refugees.

Canada to fund overseas abortion

May 11, 2016

OTTAWA – The federal government is set to begin funding abortion in the developing world, reversing the policy of the Harper government to not provide funding for such procedures overseas.

May 12

‘Booties for babies’ spreads pro-life message on Parliament Hill

May 12, 2016

OTTAWA (CCN)—On May 11, the day before the annual National March for Life, a carpet of nearly 7,000 crocheted, knitted and sewn baby booties adorned Parliament Hill to send a prolife message.

Pope to set up commission to study women deacons

May 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis told the heads of women's religious orders from around the world that he would set up a commission to study the New Testament deaconesses and he also insisted more can and should be done to involve lay and consecrated women in church decision-making at every level.

A nation that cares

May 12, 2016

In recent decades Fort McMurray and the oil industry it symbolizes has divided Canadians. The Alberta oil hub was regarded as either a badge of national prosperity or symbol of ecological disgrace. The arguments were fierce.

Perhaps Carolyn Bennett should check her mirror

May 12, 2016

Have you heard the one about the long-time politician preaching to Catholics about morals and obligations?

Christians seek unity, those who sow weeds divide

May 12, 2016

Jesus prays for the unity of Christians, but within the Church there are those who sow weeds (It: zizzanieri), those who divide and destroy the community with their tongues. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta.

Philippine priest says Duterte's win is reminder 'people want change'

May 12, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's win in May 9 national elections was "a strong reminder that people want change," said Fr. Anton Pascual, president of Radio Veritas, the country's largest Catholic radio network.

Italy's civil unions bill a defeat for family, democracy, bishop says

May 12, 2016

ROME – The Italian government's approval of a controversial bill that grants legal recognition to non-married heterosexual and homosexual couples is a defeat for democracy and family life, an Italian bishop said.

Community is formed through love, inclusion

May 12, 2016

In a recent article in America magazine, Grant Kaplan, commenting on the challenge of the Resurrection, makes this comment: “Unlike previous communities in which the bond among members forges itself through those it excludes and scapegoats, the gratuity of the Resurrection allows for a community shaped by forgiven-forgivers.”

Sharing in God’s love will put us on the right track

May 12, 2016

Trinity Sunday (Year C) May 22 (Proverbs 8:23-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15) How does one describe something that is infinite and ineffable in terms that humans can understand? The writers of the Scriptures often used poetry and metaphor, but even these attempts fell short of the majesty of God. No concept, doctrine or metaphor can ever contain the divine reality — they merely point to it and present it to us in the broadest strokes.

Thousands take over downtown Ottawa for National March for Life

May 12, 2016

OTTAWA – Thousands descended on Parliament Hill May 12 for the annual National March for Life as the Liberal government within the walls of Parliament was rushing a bill through that will legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.