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October 2016

October 28

EXCERPTS: Pope Francis on ecumenism, secularism, terrorism and gossip

October 28, 2016

Pope Francis leaves on Monday (Oct. 31) for an overnight trip to Sweden, a historically Protestant country that today is one of the most secular in the world.

French bishop accepts camp demolition, but urges change of heart toward migrants

October 28, 2016

OXFORD, England – A French bishop defended the demolition of a migrant camp in northern France while urging greater help for displaced refugees and a "change of mentality" toward asylum-seekers.

Gregorian Chant strikes the right note

October 28, 2016

TORONTO – On a busy downtown street in Toronto, a lofting melody carries out from a Solemn High Mass at St. Patrick’s parish.

In Syria, danger and misery are abundant, but solutions are scarce

October 28, 2016

WASHINGTON – There is only one word to describe the images coming out of Syria as the conflict advances: apocalyptic.

October 29

Medieval crucifix in St. Peter's Basilica 'resurrected' from obscurity

October 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY – His toes curl in pain, his veins bulge from exertion, his bony chest heaves in the last throes of death.

Papyrus offers nonbiblical mention of Judean kingdom in Jerusalem

October 29, 2016

JERUSALEM – Israeli archaeologists have unveiled the earliest known nonbiblical Hebrew-language reference to Jerusalem, dating back to the time of the First Temple in the seventh century B.C.

Film explores diplomat's efforts to warn world of Holocaust

October 29, 2016

When the Holocaust was still a gleam in Adolf Hitler’s twisted, paranoid eye, there was one American Catholic with a little bit of Canadian heritage mixed in who saw what was coming and did his best to warn the world.

October 30

Landscapes offer a magical Mystical tour at AGO exhibit

October 30, 2016

TORONTO – If you don’t usually go to an art gallery to pray, you might want to make an exception for the Mystical Landscapes show on at the Art Gallery of Ontario until Jan. 29.

The ‘Homer Simpsonization’ of men in the media today is a very troubling trend

October 30, 2016

Two recent films, Deepwater Horizon starring Mark Wahlberg and Sully starring Tom Hanks, represent something of a breath of fresh air. Both movies feature men who are intelligent, virtuous and quietly heroic. If this strikes you as a banal observation, that just means you haven’t been following much of the popular culture for the past 20 years.

Distributing aid in Haiti is a dangerous proposition

October 30, 2016

JEREMIE, Haiti – I shut my eyes as he swung the large rock at the car window. An instant before, something about his eyes had seemed off. They were glazed over. Maybe he was drunk, or thirsty, or just furious.

Revisiting the Reformation: bridging 500 years of division

October 30, 2016

Martin Luther would be amazed. He would never have imagined the Pope of Rome could be a mere guest in any Christian church.

October 31

Philippine bishops urge All Souls' Day prayers for drug war victims

October 31, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – As Filipinos remembered their departed on All Souls' Day, the country's church leaders called on the faithful to also pray for those who fell victim in the government's all-out war against illegal drugs.

Priests told to celebrate Masses outdoors after massive earthquake in Italy

October 31, 2016

ROME – Priests in central Italy were instructed to celebrate Mass outdoors following another devastating earthquake that rocked the region and brought one its most spiritually and historically significant churches tumbling down.

Pope arrives in Sweden for what he calls important ecumenical event

October 31, 2016

MALMO, Sweden – Under a thick gray sky, Pope Francis was welcomed to Sweden with a small formal ceremony, which conveyed by its brevity that the trip was not a formal state visit, but had another purpose.

Pope sends Detroit bishop to Guam archdiocese hit by abuse allegations

October 31, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis appointed a Detroit auxiliary bishop to a Guam archdiocese whose leader is under a Vatican investigation for the alleged sexual abuse of minors.

Pope, Lutheran leaders begin Reformation commemoration with prayer

October 31, 2016

LUND, Sweden – Urging Catholics and Lutherans to take decisive steps toward unity, Pope Francis nevertheless offered no new openings to the idea of sharing Communion before full unity is achieved.

Ecumenical gathering: Catholics, Lutherans promise to serve the poor, work for peace

October 31, 2016

MALMO, Sweden – The sheet of ice and the penalty boxes were gone from Malmo Arena Oct. 31 as Catholics and Lutherans filled the stands and promised to work together for peace – particularly in Syria – and for justice – especially for refugees.