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October 2016

October 1

'Ben-Hur,' 'Story of God' among Catholics in Media Award winners

October 1, 2016

LOS ANGELES – The remake of "Ben-Hur," the cable-TV drama "Ray Donovan" and the documentary series "The Story of God" were named winners of the 2016 Catholics in Media Awards, presented annually by Catholics in Media Associates.

Kasun’s oil of gladness pours on Toronto

October 1, 2016

On June 17, we Basilians learned that one of our brothers, Fr. Robert Kasun, would become one of the four auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Fr. Bob is not the first Basilian bishop of Toronto. Denis O’Connor served as archbishop from 1899-1908.

Unity and division: Ecumenical realities on display at papal Mass in Georgia

October 1, 2016

TBILISI, Georgia – At a papal Mass focused on two female saints, the longing for Christian unity and the painful reality of Christian division were strong undertones.

Americans divide over transgender bathrooms and wedding services for gays

October 1, 2016

When it comes to contraception, a clear majority of Americans say employers should be required to cover it in their health care plans — even if they have religious objections.

Mass in Georgia: God’s consolation calls us to be childlike

October 1, 2016

Pope Francis marked the beginning of his second day in Georgia by presiding over Mass in Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the nation’s capital city of Tbilisi.

Pope sees 'global war' against marriage, urges church help for couples

October 1, 2016

TBILISI, Georgia – Pope Francis said a global war against marriage is underway and Catholics must respond by helping couples stay strong and by providing pastoral care to those experiencing difficulty.

Toronto gains a bishop and a friend in Robert Kasun

October 1, 2016

TORONTO – Bishop Robert Kasun has been to Rome to buy a pectoral cross, mitre, ring — all the gear you need to be a bishop. But Kasun, ordained on Sept. 12 in Edmonton to serve as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Toronto, didn’t really have time — and he was a bit put off by the prices — to pick up a new crozier.

October 2

City of peace, division, or both? Met exhibit celebrates Jerusalem as house of mirrors

October 2, 2016

Four years ago, the co-curators of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s mind-bending new show, “Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven,” visited Theophilos III, that city’s Orthodox patriarch, and solicited his community’s cooperation.

Kasun has ‘a true pastor’s heart,’ says Edmonton's Archbishop

October 2, 2016

EDMONTON – When Fr. Robert Kasun learned that Pope Francis wanted him to become a bishop, one of his first reactions was, “I’ve never in my life done anything extraordinary. I’m just an ordinary simple pastor.”

Kenyan churches demand HIV test for couples wanting to marry

October 2, 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya – Some Kenyan churches are demanding premarital HIV testing before weddings, a trend activists warn is infringing on the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Dialogue, respect for differences are key to progress, Pope says

October 2, 2016

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Cooperation, peace and prosperity come when people know how to hold fast to their cultural and religious identities without ever denigrating or trying to deny the rights and identities of others, Pope Francis said.

How Cat Stevens helped Nashville’s Muslims find a home

October 2, 2016

NASHVILLE — Zainab Elberry remembers the day the check came.

Mass in Azerbaijan: Essential aspects of the Christian life are faith and service

October 2, 2016

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday at the Salesian centre in Baku, the central event of his 10-hour visit to Azerbaijan.

Pope encourages Azerbaijan's Catholics to be people of faith, service

October 2, 2016

AKU, Azerbaijan – Catholics cannot "economize" when it comes to spending time in prayer with God and in service to other people, Pope Francis told members of Azerbaijan's tiny Catholic community.

Edmonton Catholics Kasun touched rave about ‘phenomenal’ job he did

October 2, 2016

EDMONTON – Ask Fred Prather about the job Basilian Father Bob Kasun did as pastor of Edmonton’s St. Alphonsus parish, and the response is immediate.

October 3

Tolerance is good for society, the soul, Pope says at Azerbaijani mosque

October 3, 2016

BAKU, Azerbaijan – As the spiritual leader of a tiny religious minority in Azerbaijan, Pope Francis told the leaders of the country's other religious communities that they share a responsibility to help people grow in faith, but also in tolerance for the faith of others.

Gay, transgender people deserve pastoral care, Pope says

October 3, 2016

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN – Catholics who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said.

When political choice is tough, pray and vote your conscience, says Pope on U.S. election

October 3, 2016

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN – Catholics facing difficult political choices must study the issues, pray about the election and then vote according to their consciences, Pope Francis said.

Catholics warn against new rules on religion in China

October 3, 2016

WARSAW, Poland – Catholic experts warned that new rules on religion in China could severely hamper the church's work by curbing its foreign contacts and imposing heavy penalties for unauthorized activity.

October 30

Pope, Georgian patriarch pledge to witness to Gospel as brothers

September 30, 2016

TBILISI, Georgia – Paying honor to the steadfast faith of Orthodox Christians in Georgia, Pope Francis nevertheless urged them to draw closer to other Christians and work together to share the Gospel.