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June 2016

June 1

Missing C-14’s June 6 deadline puts vulnerable people at risk, says coalition

June 1, 2016

OTTAWA – A coalition representing vulnerable Canadians believes the lives of the disabled will be at risk due to a looming legal vacuum caused by the probable failure of the government’s assisted suicide Bill C-14 to be enacted by June 6.

Cardus Family study reveals Canadian support for marriage weakening

June 1, 2016

OTTAWA – A new poll by Cardus Family reveals most Canadians still value marriage highly, but trends show an increase in those who see it as an outdated institution.

Church must ‘retune’ relations with women

June 1, 2016

MONTREAL – The time has come for the Roman Catholic Church to rethink its patriarchal structure and build a stronger relationship with women, a prominent Benedictine monk from South America told delegates, comprising mostly nuns, at the assembly of the Canadian Religious Conference.

Bill C-14 passes: assisted suicide law now in Senate’s hands

June 1, 2016

OTTAWA – The Liberal government's assisted suicide legislation, which Canada's bishops describe as "fundamentally unjust" and an "affront to human dignity," easily passed third and final reading in the House of Commons May 31 and was sent to the Senate for final approval.

Catholic groups believe conscience rights will be respected on assisted suicide

June 1, 2016

Despite Bill C-14 providing no conscience protection for institutions, Catholic health-care providers expect governments will respect their right to opt out of assisted suicide.

June 2

Hundreds take protest against euthanasia to Parliament Hill

June 2, 2016

OTTAWA – Hundreds of people gathered on Parliament Hill to protest against euthanasia June 1, the day after Parliament passed Bill C-14 to legalize the practice and sent it on to the Senate for royal assent.

Parish must become the centre of one’s life

June 2, 2016

It can be easy to feel lost and lonely in church; and that’s twice as lost and lonely as anywhere else.

Faith challenged in our final hours

June 2, 2016

A common soldier dies without fear, yet Jesus died afraid.

Forgiveness opens our hearts wide

June 2, 2016

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 12 (2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13; Psalm 32; Galatians 2:16, 19-21; Luke 7:36-8:3) We usually think of a “flash of recognition” in positive terms — a form of enlightenment. But David’s experience of this recognition was disturbing and even devastating. His climb to the top of the heap as king of Israel had been successful but not pretty. It had involved a lot of questionable decisions and actions, but he seemed disinclined to quibble — after all, it had worked. He had almost unlimited power and wealth — what more could one want?

Palliative care missing in end-of-life debate

June 2, 2016

In the government’s rush to push Bill C-14, the medically assisted dying legislation, through the House of Commons, Canadians have been left very much on the sidelines.

Bishop says 'Brexit' could lead to loss of funds for aid agencies

June 2, 2016

MANCHESTER, England – European funding for Catholic aid agencies based in the U.K. could be withdrawn if the British people vote to leave the EU in late June, said an English bishop.

Social conservatives divided on Tories nixing traditional marriage policy

June 2, 2016

OTTAWA – At their recent policy convention held May 26-28 in Vancouver, the Conservative Party removed the traditional definition of marriage from its official policy, leaving social conservatives divided.

Women in the Church

June 2, 2016

Much ado followed a recent impromptu promise by Pope Francis to study the role of women deacons in Church history. His simple pledge to convene a commission to look into what Francis called an “obscure” historical question was widely — and wildly — interpreted as a thumbs up for a female diaconate.

Mass, block party mark 25th anniversary celebration of Sisters of Life

June 2, 2016

NEW YORK – It was hardly a typical New York City summer street fair.

June 3

Schadenberg receives Exner Award

June 3, 2016

TORONTO – Anti-euthanasia activist Alex Schadenberg has been honoured with the Archbishop Adam Exner Award for Catholic Excellence in Public Life by the Catholic Civil Rights League for his ongoing advocacy against euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Full text from Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 3, 2016

On Friday 3 June, Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass with priests in St Peter's Square as part of a special Jubilee of Mercy for Priests.

Bloom where you are planted

June 3, 2016

Imagine yourself as a tree. We all start off as small little seeds and the water is all of the blessings and gifts the Lord grants us in order to grow. Slowly over time, we grow into a tall, strong and beautiful tree. The fruits that we bear are everything that we have to offer to others and to the Lord.

Good priests don't own gloves, they get their hands dirty, says Pope Francis

June 3, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Like the Good Shepherd, good priests do not privatize their time and demand to be left alone, but rather are always willing to risk everything in search of the lost sheep, Pope Francis said at the closing Mass of the Jubilee for Priests and Seminarians.

Pope calls for gathering to find ways to end, prevent drug abuse

June 3, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has requested a special study session at the Vatican to look at how to solve the growing problem of drug abuse, especially narcotics.

Movement to make churches more ecologically responsible turns 10

June 3, 2016

MONTREAL – Taking its cue from Scripture which warns against polluting the Earth or muddying clear water, a mission began 10 years ago in Montreal for a “Green Churches movement.”