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October 2016

October 11

Off the beaten path: Pope looks far afield for new cardinals

October 11, 2016

VATICAN CITY – In choosing 17 new members of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis has once again looked to countries and dioceses that had never been represented in the body that advises the Pope and will elect his successor.

Catholic students join South African protests; chaplain shot in face

October 11, 2016

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – As students and police clash at South African universities, with many campuses closed because of protests against fee increases, Catholic students called on the government to increase its education budget.

Soccer legend Maradona credits Pope Francis for renewing his faith

October 11, 2016

ROME – Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona says it was the influence of his countryman Pope Francis that revived his faith and brought him back to the Catholic Church.

No to a “cosmetics” religion that’s all show

October 11, 2016

Pope Francis said Jesus asks us to perform good deeds with humility and reject a "cosmetics" (maquillage) religion that is merely concerned with its outward appearance and pretending to be what it’s not. The Pope was speaking at his morning Mass on Tuesday celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.

Nun working in Aleppo says families all over city live in fear

October 11, 2016

LANCASTER, England – A religious sister working with Christian families in Aleppo, Syria, has criticized Western media for their allegedly biased coverage of the six-year conflict.

D&P mobilizes for Haiti in hurricane’s wake

October 11, 2016

With clean-up begun and some estimates putting Haiti’s death toll as high as 1,000, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has launched a major fundraising campaign in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

October 12

Haitian Jesuits are hopeful, but fear the worst

October 12, 2016

TORONTO – Safe, dry and well fed on a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend in Toronto was an awful feeling for Haitian Jesuits cut off from their families as their island nation staggers back to its feet.

Musical encounter with the Divine

October 12, 2016

Is music part of the missionary activity of the Church? Or does it remain part of her internal life, as it were, reserved to the worship of God?

Community fighting to keep Marian shrine alive

October 12, 2016

TORONTO – The community at the Marian Shrine of Gratitude in Toronto is growing in strength and numbers despite a looming closure.

End 'inhumane' hostilities now, rescue civilians in Syria, Pope pleads

October 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY – In the wake of intensified attacks in Syria, Pope Francis called for an immediate cease-fire – even if temporary – so that civilians, especially children, could be rescued from the ruins.

Hope for future in Reformation’s past

October 12, 2016

Oct. 31, 2017 will mark the 500th anniversary of the date Martin Luther posted his 95 proposals on the door of a Catholic church in Germany to launch the Protestant Reformation. Indeed, Luther’s imprint on Christianity has never faded over the centuries.

Pope Francis, retired Pope Benedict praise Patriarch Bartholomew

October 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Defending religious freedom, fighting indifference to attacks on human dignity and promoting care of creation are obligations that Orthodox and Catholics share and areas where Pope Francis said he and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople are in deep harmony.

Catholic teen stands on guard for Leafs

October 12, 2016

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t given fans much to cheer about in recent years. But a 15-year-old girl from a Toronto Catholic high school hopes to help turn that around.

Canada's Catholic bishops withdraw from social justice coalition Kairos

October 12, 2016

TORONTO – Canada’s Catholic bishops will no longer be part of Canada’s ecumenical social justice coalition, known as Kairos.

October 13

Our Lady exhibit aims at renewing Marian devotion

October 13, 2016

Toronto and Hamilton parishes are celebrating the month of October with a new exhibit on Marian apparitions from around the world.

Pakistani archbishop says Christians fight persecution with dialogue

October 13, 2016

CHESTER, England – Christians in Pakistan are fighting persecution and terrorism with interfaith dialogue, said Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore.

Leaked emails show 'hostility' to Catholic Church, some say

October 13, 2016

WASHINGTON – Emails released by WikiLeaks and allegedly hacked from the server of a top aide to Hillary Clinton have ignited a fierce exchange over the tone and content of the messages.

A cry of Christian love

October 13, 2016

Bishops in Alberta and the Northwest Territories issued what has been prosaically called a series of guidelines to deal with so-called medical aid in dying. In truth, the Vademecum for Priests and Parishes beautifully illuminates, and reminds readers, what it means to live a Catholic life.

Christians who reject all refugees are 'hypocrites,' Pope says

October 13, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Meeting a pilgrimage of Catholics and Lutherans from Germany, Pope Francis said he does not like "the contradiction of those who want to defend Christianity in the West, and, on the other hand, are against refugees and other religions."

There is no law

October 13, 2016

There is a dangerous misconception that because the courts and Parliament have decided people can obtain an assisted suicide, health care institutions therefore have a legal obligation to assess candidates and perform these killings.