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October 2016

October 6

Pope: May the Caucasus nations journey to peace, fraternity

October 6, 2016

VATICAN CITY – The following is the text from Pope Francis’ general audience at the Vatican Oct. 5.

Be open to the Spirit, Who carries us forward

October 6, 2016

True doctrine is not a rigid attachment to the Law, which bewitches like ideologies, but is rather the revelation of God, that allows itself to be discovered more and more fully each day by those who are open to the Holy Spirit. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

World has a duty to protect refugees, Vatican representative says

October 6, 2016

VATICAN CITY – While national concerns about an influx of migrants and refugees may be legitimate, no country should lose sight of the fact that the influx is made up of real people whose lives are in danger, a Vatican official told a U.N. meeting.

The thanksgiving sacrifice of Jesus

October 6, 2016

Crisp air, fiery-coloured leaves, pumpkins and apples — the smell of autumn is in the air! It’s October, and Thanksgiving is upon us.

Congo church suspends mediation bid amid rising tension

October 6, 2016

KINSHASA, Congo – The Catholic Church has pulled out of a national dialogue in Congo.

Words matter: euphemisms and assisted suicide

October 6, 2016

Reading through the obituary recently of iconic Canadian author and baseball lover W.P. Kinsella, one paragraph jumped off the pages of the Globe and Mail; dripping with irony.

Daunting challenge

October 6, 2016

After wading into the social and legal morass of assisted suicide Canadian Catholics are now confronting its spiritual implications — and receiving no clear answers.

Catholic commissions: EU must be more democratic to avoid breakup

October 6, 2016

MANCHESTER, England – The European Union must be more democratic and less centralist if it is to avoid other disgruntled member states following the U.K. out of the bloc, Catholic justice and peace groups said.

From paranoia to 'metanoia'

October 6, 2016

Sometimes we’re a mystery to ourselves, or, perhaps more accurately, sometimes we don’t realize how much paranoia we carry within ourselves. A lot of things tend to ruin our day.

Through persistence, prayers will be heard

October 6, 2016

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Oct. 16 (Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8) Good leadership is essential in all human endeavours, whether in war, business or politics. The qualities of a leader can make or break any battle or collective activity. During the battle with the Amalekites, Moses stood on a hill with his lieutenants where he could be easily seen by his troops. His raised arms gave them courage — in their own minds, he was imparting some sort of blessing or power. They felt reassured that God was with them. As long as his arms remained raised, the Israelites prevailed; when Moses’ arms drooped, they began to lose ground.

October 7

Interfaith student dialogue tackles role of women

October 7, 2016

TORONTO – The rain outside failed to dampen the liveliness of interfaith fellowship in a University of Toronto conference room in late September.

Colombian president wins Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to end civil war

October 7, 2016

OSLO, Norway – Even though the people of Colombia rejected the terms of a peace accord ending more than 50 years of civil war, the Nobel committee chose Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos as winner of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.

Where policy, religion fail, sports can lift spirits, say speakers

October 7, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Wherever public policy, communities and even religions may have failed, sports and recreation are ready and set to lift wounded spirits and build cooperation and peace in the world, said a number of speakers at a Vatican conference.

Argentine priest who criticized drug trafficking found dead at his home

October 7, 2016

MEXICO CITY – An outspoken Argentine priest known for denouncing the threat of drug trafficking and warning of rising crime in the northern part of the country was found hanged Oct. 5 in his parish home.

Portuguese bishops applaud nomination of former prime minister as U.N. secretary-general

October 7, 2016

SAO PAULO – The Portuguese Bishops Conference praised former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres for his "deep sense of humanity and faith" after he was nominated as United Nations secretary-general.

Keep sports honest, says Pope Francis at conference

October 7, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has taken his personal quest to wipe out dishonesty and corruption to the sporting arena.

ShareLife's future plan to include more laity involvement

October 7, 2016

TORONTO – ShareLife is going back to its roots with a plan that taps into past strategies to encourage more involvement at the parish level.

New York cardinal creates compensation program for sex abuse victims

October 7, 2016

NEW YORK – The Archdiocese of New York has initiated a voluntary Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program to promote healing and serve as a "tangible sign of the church's outreach and reparation" by providing compensation to victim-survivors of sexual abuse as minors by clergy of the archdiocese.

Polish church vows to continue push for stricter abortion controls

October 7, 2016

WARSAW, Poland – Poland's Catholic Church has reiterated support for stricter pro-life controls, after parliamentarians voted down a law that would have sent aborting mothers to jail.

Miami Archdiocese calls for prayers, prepares to help hurricane victims

October 7, 2016

MIAMI – Like the rest of South Florida, the Archdiocese of Miami was carefully watching the path of Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 storm that began pounding Haiti and Cuba Oct. 4 and hit Florida's Atlantic coastal area late Oct. 6.