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November 2016

November 28

Catholic leaders in Holy Land pray for those hit by wildfires

November 28, 2016

JERUSALEM – Catholic leaders in the Holy Land expressed solidarity with those affected by regional wildfires, which continued to burn after five days.

Fidel Castro, communist leader who met three Popes, dies at 90

November 28, 2016

VATICAN CITY – After hearing of the death of Fidel Castro, former president and leader communist revolution in Cuba, late Friday evening, Pope Francis sent a telegram offering his prayers for the deceased and the entire nation.

In meeting with prime minister, Pope says he will visit Ireland in 2018

November 28, 2016

VATICAN CITY – After meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the Pope confirmed he will visit Ireland in 2018 and that trip organizers would look at the possibility of a stop in Northern Ireland.

Fidel Castro, Jesuit-influenced Marxist revolutionary

November 28, 2016

Fidel Castro, the Marxist revolutionary who ruled the Western Hemisphere’s only Communist state, acknowledged later in life that he was deeply influenced by Catholic teaching and welcomed a succession of popes to Cuba.

Scientists play a key role in solving climate change and its social consequences, Pope says

November 28, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis told a group of scientists Monday that their role in finding creative solutions to the world’s problems is more urgent than ever, and praised increasing collaboration between scientific and religious communities.

For Cuban exiles, painful memories mix with relief at Castro's death

November 28, 2016

MIAMI – While many celebrated loudly on the streets, the death of Fidel Castro triggered a more subdued reaction among the Cuban exiles who attended the noon Mass Nov. 26 at the National Shrine of Our Lady Charity.

November 29

Pope's homily: Christian humility is the virtue of “the childlike”

November 29, 2016

Pope Francis said on Tuesday that true Christian humility is the virtue of the childlike and is never a theatrical humility. His words came at his morning Mass celebrated in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence.

Mexican archdiocese closes missing persons registry, fears retaliation by organized crime

November 29, 2016

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – The Archbishop of Guadalajara has announced that his diocese is calling off its distribution of a list of missing persons, because of fears of retaliation against family and friends of those who have gone missing in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Australian church tackles anti-abuse efforts with new independent non-profit

November 29, 2016

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – In Australia, the Catholic Church has established a new independent non-profit to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse.

Madagascar drought causes extreme hunger, many left to eat cactus fruit

November 29, 2016

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Hunger levels are so severe in drought-ridden southern Madagascar that many people in remote villages have eaten almost nothing but cactus fruit for up to four years, said a Catholic Relief Services official.

Lithuanian archbishop says citizens tense over Russian military buildup

November 29, 2016

WARSAW, Poland – Lithuanian Archbishop Gintaras Grusas said citizens are anxious about military threats from neighbouring Russia but said support from Europe and the United States helped calm those fears.

Prayers pour in for victims and families of Brazilian soccer team plane crash

November 29, 2016

RIONEGRO, Colombia – A wave of solidarity and calls for prayer have inundated social networks and the media following Monday's crash in Colombia of a plane carrying 77 people, including Brazil's Chapecoense soccer team.

U.S. advocates of refugees, immigrants seek to calm post-election fears

November 29, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the American people continue to unpack exactly what the election of Donald Trump means for the country, those who work with vulnerable populations such as refugees and immigrants have serious concerns and questions about what the future holds.

Cardinal Dolan: What the pro-life community wants from the Trump administration

November 29, 2016

The U.S. national election brought many issues to the surface that are important for both the Roman Catholic Church and the new Trump administration. Below, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, offers his take on what needs to happen on the political front.

November 30

Orthodox Christian father loses religious freedom and parental rights case

November 30, 2016

OTTAWA – An Orthodox Christian father has lost a religious freedom and parental rights case before the Ontario Superior Court even though the judge agreed his rights were encroached.

Montreal reverses decision to rename park that memorializes ‘Canada’s Michelangelo’

November 30, 2016

MONTREAL – Responding to a public outcry the City of Montreal has reversed a controversial decision to rename a park that memorializes a famous artist known as “Canada’s Michelangelo.”

Pope Francis meets Martin Scorsese, director of 'Silence,' at Vatican

November 30, 2016

VATICAN CITY – On Wednesday Pope Francis added world famous director Martin Scorsese to the list of Hollywood stars he has welcomed for a private meeting in the Vatican, following an official Rome preview of Scorsese’s new film Silence.

Dialogue, common good can heal nation wracked by fear, Pope tells French politicians

November 30, 2016

VATICAN CITY – In a world filled with frustration and fear, seeking the common good is more important than ever, Pope Francis told French politicians.

Pope Francis offers prayer, condolences after Colombia plane crash

November 30, 2016

VATICAN CITY – After a plane crash in Colombia claimed the lives of 71 people, including the majority of Brazil’s up and coming Brazil's Chapecoense soccer team, Pope Francis has offered his prayer and solidarity for the victims and their families.

End 'effective referral' policy for doctors, protesters demand

November 30, 2016

Fundamental freedoms are threatened by a College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario policy that would force doctors to provide an “effective referral” for services such as abortion and assisted suicide even if they believe it to be medically and morally wrong, former Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth told about 30 protesters gathered in front of Queen's Park on Nov. 30.