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December 2016

December 1

Pope's Homily: 'Do not resist the grace of conversion'

December 1, 2016

Finding inspiration in the opening prayer of the day “May Your grace conquer the obstacles caused by our sins”, Pope Francis said each of us have obstacles in our hearts which resist God’s grace.

Catholic Organization for Life and Family names new director

December 1, 2016

OTTAWA – The Catholic Organization for Life and Family board has appointed Michel MacDonald as the agency’s new director.

Opinion: Fidel Castro's death is one small step for Cuban liberty

December 1, 2016

Fidel Castro is dead. Canada’s prime minister, whose father was an admirer and friend of the tyrant, is struck with grief, but it is not widely shared. Fidel’s death is an advance for Cuba. A more significant step forward will be when Fidel’s brother Raul, to whom power was handed over in 2006, follows his brother into eternity.

Italian prisoners honour Pope Francis with flash mob dance

December 1, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Dozens of prisoners staged a “flash mob” inside an Italian men’s prison to celebrate Pope Francis’ calls for prison reform and greater tolerance and acceptance of the world’s migrants.

European leaders gather to discuss Christian persecution and its effect on the continent

December 1, 2016

VIENNA, Austria – European leaders gathered this week at a conference in Vienna to discuss Christian persecution and its resounding effect on Europe, particularly emphasizing the need to seriously address religious discrimination and genocide around the world.

Pax Christi International seeks new Israeli-Palestinian peace process

December 1, 2016

BRUSSELS – Pax Christi International has called for a new peace process to end violence among Israelis and Palestinians and assure fundamental human rights as defined by international law.

Editorial: Canada's pledge to end child poverty was an empty promise

December 1, 2016

There can hardly be a voter or politician who doesn’t believe Canada’s shamefully high rate of child poverty should be promptly reduced and eventually eliminated.

Pro-life Dems disappointed by Pelosi's re-election as House minority leader

December 1, 2016

WASHINGTON – Pro-life leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction as House Democrats re-elected pro-abortion Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as the House Minority Leader.

Silence is golden for Adoration

December 1, 2016

Have you ever sat in complete silence for a half hour?

Terrorist threats may suspend Masses in Philippines capital

December 1, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – An uptick in terrorist activity may cause Masses and other liturgical celebrations to be suspended in the capital city of Manila, Philippines, the country’s bishop’s conference has announced.

Atlanta Archbishop: Racism is a disease that must be cured

December 1, 2016

The U.S. national election brought many issues that the Roman Catholic Church has to face. Below, Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, the former chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities, addresses the racism that came to the forefront in this U.S. political cycle.

December 2

Annual Catholic Family Services benefit puts focus on abuse among teens

December 2, 2016

It was a night filled with chatter and soft Christmas tunes, but with a very serious message about women abuse.

World will regret euthanasia spread, bioethicist says

December 2, 2016

EDMONTON –The onset of state-sanctioned euthanasia represents a “seismic shift” in values that the world will someday regret, said one of Canada’s pre-eminent bioethicists.

Senator urges ‘vetting’ of transgender Bill C-16

December 2, 2016

OTTAWA – Despite calls for a “thorough and vigorous vetting,” Canada’s Transgender Bill C-16 was given high praise as debate began on the legislation in the Senate on Nov. 28.

Pope dedicates December to praying for end to child soldiers

December 2, 2016

VATICAN CITY – In his latest prayer video, which highlights his prayer intention for the month of December, Pope Francis focused on putting an end to the phenomenon of child-soldiers, which he called a “form of slavery.”

Why famed atheist Stephen Hawking is on a pontifical academy

December 2, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Stephen Hawking’s visit to the Vatican this week has raised curiosity, with some asking what exactly the famed astrophysicist and self-proclaimed atheist was doing in the heart of the Catholic Church.

Nun killed in Democratic Republic of Congo

December 2, 2016

ROME, Italy – A nun in the Democratic Republic of Congo was murdered earlier this week by unknown suspects in an apparent robbery, the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions has reported.

Updated: French archbishop criticizes bill that could make websites discouraging abortion illegal

December 2, 2016

PARIS – The president of the French bishops' conference wrote French President Francois Hollande to express his worries about fast-tracked legislation that would extend illegal interference on abortions to websites. Archbishop Georges Pontier of Marseille, president, said the bishops think the legislation questions the very foundations of liberties in France, and he urged Hollande to not allow the bill's passage.

December 30

New Caritas report sets out building blocks for more-just Europe

November 30, 2016

WARSAW, Poland – Europe's top Catholic charitable agency has published a "road map for social justice and equality," urging all church members to defend the poor and marginalized.

Green Churches look to papal nuncio for support

November 30, 2016

The efforts to help churches develop better environmental practices took another hopeful step forward on Nov. 25 as Green Churches Network director Norman Lévesque met with papal nuncio Luigi Bonazzi.