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January 2017

January 25

U.S. House vote to permanently ban federal funding for abortion

January 25, 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. House passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, making the 41-year-old Hyde Amendment permanent, puts the country "one step closer to getting the federal government out of the business of paying for abortion once and for all," said the president of National Right to Life.

Frustrated bishops send blunt message to Israel regarding settlements

January 25, 2017

OTTAWA – After years of seeing little progress toward peace in the Holy Land, Catholic bishops decided to send a more blunt message following their annual pilgrimage to the region.

January 26

B.C. artist depicts St. Paul as a First Nations icon

January 26, 2017

VANCOUVER – A Vancouver church has acknowledged the rich First Nations heritage of its parishioners by installing an icon of St. Paul the Apostle wearing a woven cedar hat and holding a talking stick and cedar bough.

Murders of Mexican clergy won’t stop missionary work, says Canadian priest

January 26, 2017

As Mexican priests watch the death toll among clergy rise in their country, their first concern remains the ordinary people who suffer through the murderous reign of drug gangs, according to a Canadian priest who has seen the effect of the killings first-hand.

Boulevard Club’s cheque a welcome guest at St. Francis Table restaurant

January 26, 2017

A partnership between St. Francis Table and The Boulevard Club will help the Franciscan-run restaurant for the poor continue to serve up its signature dish — dignity.

Never underestimate the courage and wisdom of women, Pope says

January 26, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The humble counsel of courageous women should never be disregarded but rather embraced as advice full of God's divine wisdom, Pope Francis said.

Pope prays for victims of deadly wildfires in Chile

January 26, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis sent his condolences to the victims and survivors of one of the worst wildfires in Chile's history.

Editorial: Bishops' opposition to Israeli settlements is a cry for peace

January 26, 2017

Early each year bishops from North America and Europe join bishops from the Holy Land on an information tour of those sacred but troubled lands. The visit this January had added significance because 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War and the start of the ongoing occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.

Comment: debate over assisted dying isn’t over yet

January 26, 2017

Are there circumstances where assisted suicide should be among the range of options available to someone dealing with serious mental health issues? Should we routinely euthanize people with diseases like Alzheimer’s based upon their advance wishes? Are there times when mature kids and teenagers should be able to get a doctor’s help to die?

Prayer requires a sharp focus (Part 2 of 4 about prayer)

January 26, 2017

This is the second in a series of four columns by Fr. Frank Freitas about praying and prayer. (Here's part 1, part 3 and part 4)

Bishop: Trump's wall will "tear families apart," harm communities

January 26, 2017

WASHINGTON – The chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Migration criticized President Donald Trump's executive memorandum to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying it would "put immigrant lives needlessly in harm's way."

Making spanking illegal does more harm than good, says Cardus

January 26, 2017

OTTAWA – As an anti-spanking bill winds through Canada's Senate, a Christian think tank is sounding an alarm that it will do “more harm than good” and still fail to prevent child abuse.

Trump: No Muslim ban, just immigration restrictions

January 26, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump denies he is about to authorize a ban on Muslim migration, saying he plans only restrictions on entry from countries with a history of terrorism.

Trump expected to halt refugee intake, Catholic leaders concerned

January 26, 2017

WASHINGTON – Amid reports of an imminent executive order to halt most refugee resettlement in the U.S., one international Catholic charitable group is speaking out.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to speak at March for Life in Washington

January 26, 2017

WASHINGTON – Weeks of speculation were confirmed on Thursday, when the White House verified that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will speak at the national March for Life on Jan. 27.

Prophets’ call to action are still relevant

January 26, 2017

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 5 (Year A) Isaiah 58:6-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16 Why does God seem so distant or even absent in our world? Why are our societies and nations so polarized and torn by divisions?

January 27

Pope's homily: God frees us from fear of everything, the sin that paralyzes Christians

January 27, 2017

God frees us from the sin that paralyzes us as Christians: faintheartedness, being afraid of everything, which keep us from having memory, hope, courage, and patience. That was the message of Pope Francis during the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Friday.

Speaking Out: Remembering traditions of my heritage and the Church

January 27, 2017

Happy New Year! Growing up in Canada, I had a largely typical North American childhood experience, but it was also infused with the traditions of my Chinese heritage.

The day I met the Pope

January 27, 2017

Not many people can say that they’ve met Pope Francis, but I can.

Gender theory is moving too fast, say Campaign Life officials

January 27, 2017

OTTAWA – Gender theory is making inroads not only on Parliament Hill but also at the United Nations, to the detriment of the biological family, say Campaign Life Coalition officials.