Browse › 2016 › June

June 2016

June 8

Uncertainty, confusion reign for physicians over assisted suicide

June 8, 2016

With no law in place to govern assisted suicide, physicians and vulnerable patients face uncertainty, confusion and more opinions than facts.

Pope, Council of Cardinals discuss decentralization of Vatican offices

June 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals studied ways in which the responsibilities of Vatican offices can be simplified and harmonized.

Five-year, $80-million renovation planned for Montreal's St. Joseph's Oratory

June 8, 2016

MONTREAL – Canada's most visited Catholic shrine is about to get a facelift.

June 9

Franciscans rallying to have Good Fr. Frédéric declared saint

June 9, 2016

MONTREAL – As the 100th anniversary approaches of the death of “Good Fr. Frédéric,” Franciscans are rallying to have Pope Francis finally declare Frederic Janssoone a saint.

Autonomy’s open road

June 9, 2016

Autonomy has evolved into a word of frightful power. Its meaning now goes beyond such independent actions as choosing a spouse, following a career path or adopting a style of fashion. It surpasses political views and for many has become a one-word mantra for a new religion called secularism, in which God is replaced by putting “me” at the centre of the universe.

Chesterton conference confronts challenge of modern-day eugenics

June 9, 2016

ROME – The eugenics mentality that affirms some human lives are worth more than others did not end with the Nazis, but continues in modern times through abortion and the promotion of contraception, especially in the Third World, said a U.S.-based historian and author.

It’s about time

June 9, 2016

Change comes slowly at the Vatican. On the issue of clerical sexual abuse of children, Rome’s methodical approach has caused Pope Francis to endure barbs for dallying on a pledge to get tough on abusers within the Church.

A wedding without wine is ‘shameful!’ says Pope Francis

June 9, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has upended many traditions during his extraordinary pontificate, to the point that some have wondered whether he is really Catholic.

Senate amends Bill C-14 to make assisted suicide more accessible

June 9, 2016

OTTAWA – A majority of Canada’s Senators, concerned Bill C-14 is unconstitutional, voted June 9 to get rid of the requirement death must be reasonably foreseeable to be eligible for assisted suicide.

Pakistan parish boosts security, including armed guards, after attack

June 9, 2016

LAHORE, Pakistan – Christians in Lahore are ramping up security measures following a shooting at a Catholic church in the Punjab capital.

Pope sets up committee to distribute aid in Ukraine

June 9, 2016

VATICAN CITY – After making a personal donation and asking Catholic parishes throughout Europe to take up a special collection for victims of the war in Eastern Ukraine, Pope Francis has set up a predominantly Ukrainian committee to distribute the funds and has asked that they go to projects suggested first of all by the assemblies of Ukraine's religious leaders.

Pope Francis: A ‘my-way-or-the-highway’ faith is heretical

June 9, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has called on Catholics to adopt a “healthy realism” in their approach to their faith, and he decried rigid idealists as heretics.

Muhammad Ali got his start working at a Louisville Catholic college

June 9, 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It may seem improbable that the late boxing legend Muhammad Ali, a devout Muslim, would be closely connected with a Catholic religious order.

June 10

New program encourages parents to be part of confirmation process

June 10, 2016

The Sacrament of Confirmation needs to be a family affair, says Anne Jamieson.

Third-party option needed to navigate assisted suicide

June 10, 2016

Whether it’s to protect consciences or vulnerable patients, the best hope for limiting the scope of assisted suicide in Canada now is a “robust third party option for all end-of-life care issues,” said Sr. Nuala Kenny as Bill C-14 wended its way from the House of Commons and through the Senate.

The lesson of Elijah: listen and act on the voice of God

June 10, 2016

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Friday morning. In remarks to the faithful following the Readings of the Day, the Holy Father focused on three attitudes that are characteristic of the Christian: “standing” before God in “silence” to hear His voice and readiness to “go out” into the world to proclaim what one has heard to others. The Pope also warned against the danger of paralyzing fear in Christian life, no matter where one is in one’s journey with God and regardless of one’s state of life in the Church:

Christian Broadcasting Network links Tel Aviv attack to BDS

June 10, 2016

The Christian Broadcasting Network said Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions activists share blame for the shooting that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv, saying in a statement condemning the attack that the movement encourages “violent anti-semitism.”

Sacred places on my bucket list

June 10, 2016

With summer fast approaching, students everywhere are itching for the end of the school year, and for many, it’s because there is a much-anticipated family vacation awaiting them.

Today's youth: a work in progress

June 10, 2016

A seminarian I know recently went to a party at a local university campus. The group was a crowd of young, college students and when he was introduced as a seminarian, as someone who was trying to become a priest and who had taken a vow of celibacy, the mention of celibacy evoked some giggles in the room, some banter and a number of jokes about how much he must be missing out on in life. Poor, naïve fellow!

Assisted suicide 'crosses the line,' says California bishop

June 10, 2016

LOS ANGELES – With California now allowing doctors to prescribe lethal medications for terminally ill patients who ask for them, "we are crossing a line," said the archbishop of Los Angeles.