Browse › 2017 › February

February 2017

February 7

A meeting between Pope Francis and Donald Trump might be on the horizon

February 7, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis could be meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at as early as the end of May.

Experts tell Australian abuse panel church must look at clerical culture

February 7, 2017

SYDNEY – Catholic experts told an Australian government commission that the church needed to re-examine its culture of clericalism if it wanted to help put an end to clergy sexual abuse.

Long time diabetes activist, Serge Langlois, given top job at D&P

February 7, 2017

In the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, diabetes activist Serge Langlois was trying to get life-saving insulin, syringes and other medications into the Caribbean nation.

February 8

U.S. bishops urge Trump to protect religious freedom

February 8, 2017

WASHINGTON – Saying “religious freedom in America has suffered years of unprecedented erosion,” U.S. Catholic bishops have posted an online letter for Catholics to send to President Donald Trump urging him to sign an executive order promoting religious freedom.

Palliative care bill passes second reading, clears another hurdle

February 8, 2017

OTTAWA – A national palliative care framework is one step closer to reality after legislation passed second reading in the House of Commons on Jan. 31.

Pope leads prayers for migrants, trafficking victims on St. Bakhita's feast day

February 8, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Marking the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave, Pope Francis urged Christians to help victims of human trafficking and migrants, especially the Rohingya people being chased from Myanmar.

Canadian organizations ready to resist the ‘Trump effect’ on climate justice

February 8, 2017

OTTAWA – Canadian organizations concerned about climate justice are preparing to resist any “Trump effect” on the environment.

Archdiocese launches conscience campaign to protect doctors

February 8, 2017

As Catholic doctors and other conscientious objectors face discipline that could include losing their medical license, the Archdiocese of Toronto has launched an eight-week campaign to promote “robust conscience protection” for health care workers.

MP: CBC column on mass shooters ‘scandalous slander’ against Christians

February 8, 2017

OTTAWA – Conservative MP Garnett Genuis has written to the CBC Ombudsman to register a complaint regarding a column and tweets that blame mass murders in Canada on white Christian men.

Law censoring abortion statistics impairs freedoms, court hears

February 8, 2017

OTTAWA – There were almost twice as many abortions performed in Ontario in 2014 than were officially reported, according to court documents.

Outpour of support for immigrant Massgoers after verbal attack

February 8, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – Father Raul Marquez had never seen anything like it. Eight men walked to the front door of St. Peter Church in Southeast Portland Jan. 29 and began bellowing during the Spanish Mass.

Canada’s churches ponder court action over refugee pact

February 8, 2017

As the storm over the fate of refugees intensifies in the United States, Canada’s churches are deliberating whether or not to take the federal government to court to pull Canada out of its Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S.

Friar’s essay winners bring message of unity

February 8, 2017

Writing on the theme of reconciliation proved to be an education for some of the entrants to the Friars’ Student Writing Awards — including the winner.

Vatican defends decision to invite China to organ-trafficking summit

February 8, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has defended its decision to invite China to an organ trafficking summit after an outcry from medical experts and ethicists about the country’s record of using executed prisoners as organ donors.

Opinion: The Queen's sapphire jubilee reminds us of her quiet fidelity

February 8, 2017

On Feb. 6, Queen Elizabeth II marked 65 years on the throne. It’s the “sapphire” jubilee, a designation which I did not know; 65th anniversaries are rare enough, but welcome as reminders that enduring fidelity is possible. The anniversary, not marked with any great festivity given the celebrations of the Queen’s 90th birthday last year, also has something of a reminder of the liturgical seasons.

February 9

Pope's homily: Woman bring harmony that makes the world beautiful

February 9, 2017

“Without women, there is no harmony in the world.” That was the message of Pope Francis in his homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. At the center of his reflection was creation of woman, as told in Genesis. Men and women are not equal; the one is not superior to the other. But it is the woman, and not the man, who brings that harmony which makes the world a beautiful place.

Editorial: Right the wrong of dismissing health workers' conscience rights

February 9, 2017

Following the shooting deaths of six men inside a Quebec City mosque, politicians quite rightly condemned the slaughter and affirmed Canada’s commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and tolerance.

Canadian, U.S. Catholic scholars unite to condemn Trump actions

February 9, 2017

Catholic colleges and universities in Canada and the United States have condemned the Trump administration’s policy of closing America to refugees, banning all travel from seven Muslim-majority countries and building a wall along the Mexican border.

Former Boston priest once jailed for sex abuse now faces more charges

February 9, 2017

AUGUSTA, Maine – A former priest previously convicted of sex abuse of an altar boy was indicted on 29 counts of sexual misconduct involving two other boys during his time as a priest based in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Philippines bishops: Trust in God, not Duterte's deadly drug war

February 9, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – Though the Philippines president has professed a willingness to go “to hell” to win his deadly war on drugs, the country’s bishops have said Catholics must speak out against its evils.