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February 2017

February 1

Priest apologizes for meme encouraging anti-Trump protesters to commit suicide

February 1, 2017

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Parishioners were distressed after a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn posted a meme on Facebook that encouraged Trump opponents to commit suicide.

Boy Scouts of America accepts gender identity as new standard for admission

February 1, 2017

DALLAS, Texas – Citing legal and community changes, the Boy Scouts of America have said self-declared gender identity now determines youth eligibility for its scouting programs. The move could add new difficulties for Catholic sponsors of scout troops trying to adapt to the organization’s relatively new policy on homosexuality.

Philippines bishops oppose bid for severe death penalty revival

February 1, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic bishops of the Philippines voiced strong objections to proposals intended to reinstate the death penalty in the country.

Protesters gather at airport over refugee ban, greet arriving travellers

February 1, 2017

DULLES, Va. – While their signs showed their discontent with President Donald Trump's executive memorandum to halt immigration from seven Middle Eastern countries, the protesters at Dulles International Airport conveyed nothing but welcome for the hundreds of travellers who arrived there Jan. 30.

U.S. bishops say refugee ban raises deep concerns over religious freedom

February 1, 2017

WASHINGTON – The chairmen of three U.S. bishops' committees Jan. 31 expressed solidarity with the Muslim community and expressed deep concern over religious freedom issues they said President Donald Trump's refugee ban raises.

Cardinal Tagle: Many Western nations forget their countries were built on migrants

February 1, 2017

BEIRUT – Many Western nations forget that their countries were built on migrants, said the president of Caritas Internationalis.

'Amoris Laetitia' not up for personal interpretation, says Vatican's doctrinal chief

February 1, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican's doctrinal chief said some bishops are interpreting Pope Francis' document on marriage and family in a way that is not in accordance with Catholic doctrine.

U.S. refugee ban roundly condemned by religious voices across Canada

February 1, 2017

Catholic and other religious voices across Canada are condemning the U.S. exclusion of refugees from seven majority Muslim countries.

Yazidi human rights leader won’t be able to pick up award due to Trump's travel ban

February 1, 2017

Vian Dakhil captured the world’s attention two years ago when she made an impassioned plea to save the Yazidi religious minority from annihilation by the Islamic State group in northern Iraq.

Quebec City gathered for solidarity Mass at church next to mosque where six were killed

February 1, 2017

QUEBEC CITY – People of many faiths gathered for a solidarity Mass at Notre-Dame-de-Foy church, next to the mosque belonging to the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre, where six men were killed by a gunman while they were praying.

How to apply to the Youth Speak News mentorship program

February 1, 2017

ARE YOU A UNIVERSITY OR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT 16 OR OLDER? DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE? DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS IN A MENTORING PROGRAM LED BY A PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST? DO YOU WANT TO ENRICH YOUR FAITH?

German bishops say the divorced-and-remarried may receive Communion

February 1, 2017

COLOGNE, Germany – The German bishops have published their own guidelines on Amoris laetitia allowing, in certain cases, for divorced-and-remarried Catholics to receive Communion.

February 2

Nigerian bishop: Evangelize though family, social media

February 2, 2017

ABUJA, Nigeria – For one Catholic bishop in Nigeria, social media and family life are two keys for evangelization and sharing the values of the Catholic Church.

‘All are called to present God’s gifts’ says Baptist preacher at Week of Prayer conclusion

February 2, 2017

A surprise request during a visit to a Catholic church led to a revelation about love and Christian unity for a Baptist preacher.

Editorial: Justice must rule in wake of U.S. refugee ban

February 2, 2017

Unlike chaotic situations that arise from unpredictable or uncontrollable circumstances, this one was unnecessary and entirely avoidable.

Comment: More to Malta Affair than meets the eye

February 2, 2017

One must wonder whether the rather bizarre clash between the Vatican and the Knights of Malta — a Catholic humanitarian organization with diplomatic ties to more than 100 countries — is really about distributing condoms as part of an aid project.

Bishops concerned by Trump's decision to keep Obama's LGBT executive order

February 2, 2017

WASHINGTON – The U.S. bishops are concerned by the Trump administration’s decision to maintain a “troubling” Obama-era executive order that could demand federal contractors violate their religious beliefs on marriage and gender ideology.

Drop off your baggage with prayer (Part 3 of 4 about prayer)

February 2, 2017

This is the third in a series of four columns by Fr. Frank Freitas about prayer and praying. (Here's part 1, part 2 and part 4)

God’s power is found in His powerlessness

February 2, 2017

The French novelist and essayist Léon Bloy once made this comment about God’s power in our world: “God seems to have condemned himself until the end of time not to exercise any immediate right of a master over a servant or a king over a subject. We can do what we want. He will defend Himself only by His patience and His beauty.”

Pope's homily: full text from feast of the Presentation of the Lord

February 2, 2017

On Thursday, Pope Francis celebrated a solemn Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and also commemorated the 21st annual World Day for Consecrated Life.