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December 21, 2016
VATICAN CITY – While hope can often be viewed as the desire for things out of our reach, Pope Francis has said that the birth of Jesus offers us a new kind hope – one which, thanks to the Incarnation, is attainable and leads to a different goal.
MONTREAL – With Pope Francis declining an invitation to attend Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations in 2017, the city is left with modest plans to recognize the important role of the Church dating back to Montreal’s founding as a Roman Catholic colony in 1642.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis appealed for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the killing of protesters demonstrating against President Joseph Kabila in several cities across the country.
ROME – As cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, he took the subway. Then as Pope, he went out to buy his own eyeglasses. And now he picked up a pair of shoes.
VATICAN CITY – After the recent unauthorized ordination of bishops in China, which falls just ahead of a major meeting for Chinese Catholic representatives, the Vatican has issued a statement reaffirming their position on the matter.
In late March 2016, it was announced that a Women’s Wellness Centre was being built in Summerside, P.E.I. It is the first abortion clinic to open on the Island and is scheduled to begin seeing patients in January 2017.
JERUSALEM – Administrators at the Technion, a public research university in Haifa, are rushing to defend the presence of a Christmas tree in the campus’ student union building.
Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Jan. 1 (Year A) Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 What does Aaron’s blessing tell us about the nature of God?
Epiphany of the Lord, Jan. 8 (Year A) Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Darkness does indeed often cover the Earth and its people, and it is one of our own making.
VATICAN CITY – One of the jewels in the Vatican Museums will reopen to the public after a $2.4 million makeover to make it earthquake resistant.
BEIRUT – Amid the turmoil in the Middle East and persecution of Christians in surrounding countries, the Christmas spirit is evident in Lebanon: sparkling lights, decorated trees and even mangers in public places.
December 22, 2016
JERUSALEM – Except for specific incidents in Egypt and one in Libya, Christians in the Middle East are suffering the same fate as their fellow citizens, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, told media in response to a journalist's question at his first Christmas news conference.
Jesus has two mommies. Or two daddies. Take your pick.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis furthered the sainthood causes of seven men and women as well as recognized more than 100 martyrs who were killed during the Spanish civil war.
Pope Francis met with members of the Roman Curia to exchange Christmas greetings Dec. 22. At the gathering, the Pope also outlined guiding principles for reform of the Roman Curia. Below is Vatican Radio's full English translation of his speech:
VATICAN CITY – While exchanging gifts for Christmas is a beautiful tradition, Pope Francis said, do not forget the one and only real gift people will ever receive is God's gift to humanity – his son, Jesus Christ.
I just read about a priest in Italy who took down a crèche because he feared it would offend non-Christians. There was no indication he was forced to do it, but it seems he decided to be proactive just in case.
VATICAN CITY – In a lengthy, in-depth speech to members of the Roman Curia Thursday, Pope Francis dug into what he said are the key guidelines of his ongoing reform, which in his view ought to focus primarily on conversion, unity and streamlining the old process in order to meet modern needs.
WASHINGTON – District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser Dec. 20 signed into law a bill allowing doctors to prescribe lethal medications to terminally ill patients who want to end their lives.
PARIS – The French delight in exceptions to the rule, until one comes along that they don’t like.