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August 2016

August 29

Cardinal sees reason to hope for improved Vatican-Chinese relations

August 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Prayer and "healthy realism" are needed to ensure progress in Vatican-Chinese relations and, particularly, in promoting a situation in which all Chinese Catholics can feel both fully Catholic and fully Chinese, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Shameful that need for clean water is not a priority, says cardinal

August 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Allowing people to drink unsafe water or have no access to dependable, clean sources of water is shameful, Cardinal Peter Turkson told religious leaders.

Italian earthquake woke Pope Francis in the Vatican

August 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – While Pope Francis has expressed his sympathy for the victims of Italy’s devastating earthquake, few may have realized the pontiff himself was shaken by the 6.2 magnitude temblor as he slept at his residence inside the walls of the Vatican.

Stop the cancer of Islamic State, urges Iraq's Chaldean patriarch

August 29, 2016

BAGHDAD – Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad called for a united and strong stance – by Muslims and non-Muslims alike – to stop the spread of the "cancer" of Islamic State and other terrorist groups.

Murdered nuns committed lives to serving poor, vulnerable people in Mississippi

August 29, 2016

NAZARETH, Ky. – The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth commit in their mission statement to "risk their lives" in their ministry to the poor and vulnerable.

August 30

Judge won’t stop California assisted suicide law or suit challenging it

August 30, 2016

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A California judge ruled Aug. 26 that he will not put the state's new assisted-suicide law on hold while a group of doctors are challenging it, but he also ruled that their challenge could continue.

'VatiLeaks': Spanish monsignor who leaked documents begins jail time

August 30, 2016

VATICAN CITY – A Spanish monsignor found guilty of leaking confidential documents about the Vatican's financial reform has begun serving his 18-month prison sentence at the Vatican.

Bishop in southern Philippines backs military push against Abu Sayyaf

August 30, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – A Catholic bishop in the southern Philippines is backing a military campaign against Abu Sayyaf militants, who claim to have links with the Islamic State group.

Turkey gives early release to man convicted of murdering priest

August 30, 2016

ROME – A man imprisoned for killing an Italian Catholic priest in Turkey was released after serving almost half of his 18-year sentence.

Scarborough Polish parish to gather and pray for gravely ill pastor

August 30, 2016

Parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Poland in Scarborough will gather Wednesday evening Aug. 31 for Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and to pray for a miracle to save their young associate pastor.

Catholic missionaries stay in South Sudan after attack on foreigners

August 30, 2016

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – While most expatriate aid workers left South Sudan after a brutal attack on foreigners in the capital, a group of Catholic missionaries chose to stay.

At memorial, murdered nuns recalled for their generosity, service in Mississippi

August 30, 2016

JACKSON, Miss. – The deaths of Sister Margaret Held and Sister Paula Merrill demand justice, but not revenge, Franciscan Father Greg Plata said during a memorial Mass for the women religious in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.

CWL seeking protection of conscience in health care

August 30, 2016

HALIFAX – The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is calling on its members to pressure politicians to guarantee freedom-of-conscience protection for healthcare institutions and medical practioners who refuse to participate directly or indirectly in providing assisted dying.

Temperance movement never more needed

August 30, 2016

OTTAWA – Founded in the United States more than a century ago to battle the “evils of alcohol,” the World Women’s Christian Temperance Union has grown into a world-wide organization confronting 21st-century social ills that include everything from drug addiction to Internet pornography and human trafficking.

August 31

As alleged coup plotter's movement contracts in Africa, some worry over power vacuum

August 31, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – As Turkish authorities push for the closure of African schools affiliated with Imam Fethullah Gulen — accused of masterminding this summer’s coup attempt in Turkey — some caution that the crackdown could inadvertently benefit Islamic fundamentalists on the continent.

Cardinal Lacroix: Church dedicated to mercy can help heal Americas

August 31, 2016

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – A church dedicated to carrying out acts of mercy can help heal countries in the Americas torn by war, economic struggles and cultural and political divisions, Quebec Cardinal Gerald Lacroix said at the conclusion of a regional gathering of church leaders in Colombia.

Pope to scientists: Faith doesn't hurt reason, it leads to greater truth

August 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Because scientists can never be neutral in their research, they must not be tempted to suppress the truth and ignore the divine, Pope Francis told health care professionals.

Pope establishes new office for promoting integral human development

August 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – To promote Catholic social teaching and ensure appropriate assistance to vulnerable people – especially victims of war, refugees and the sick – Pope Francis has established a new office combing the responsibilities of four pontifical councils.

Pope welcomes deal with Colombian rebels

August 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has welcomed a groundbreaking deal reached between the Colombian government and rebels that promises to end more than 50 years of violent conflict.

Controversial pro-life ad gets OK for Peterborough buses

August 31, 2016

After more than a year and a half wait, a Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform pro-life advertisement is set to run on Peterborough Transit buses.