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February 2017

February 16

Comment: Plenty of smoke but no fire at the Vatican

February 16, 2017

The headline on the front page of the New York Times last week about Donald Trump’s key advisor was ominous: “Steve Bannon Carries Battles to Another Influential Hub: The Vatican.”

Editorial: Guaranteed basic income is the Christ-like thing to do

February 16, 2017

The concept of a guaranteed basic income for the poor has been around at least since St. Thomas More pondered the topic 500 years ago in the court of Henry VIII. Napoleon apparently liked the idea. U.S. founding father Thomas Paine was an active proponent after the American Revolution. Even disgraced president Richard Nixon floated its potential as a means to tackle poverty.

Ottawa teen now inspires others to take faith in action

February 16, 2017

For Thomas Lindale, going on a mission trip to India with Free the Children (now WE Charity) was really about being God’s light in the world.

After six years, burnout increases among aid workers in Syria, Lebanon

February 16, 2017

Humanitarian aid workers in Syria and Lebanon are exhausted, said Hélène Tremblay-Boyko.

Comfort knowing God has our back

February 16, 2017

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 26 (Year A) Isaiah 49:14-15; Psalm 62; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34 One of the most painful burdens for people to bear is the feeling that they are forgotten or do not matter.

It is our duty to welcome the stranger

February 16, 2017

In the Hebrew Scriptures, that part of the Bible we call the Old Testament, we find a strong religious challenge to always welcome the stranger, the foreigner.

Special Olympians show world that 'every person is a gift,' Pope says

February 16, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The athletes of the Special Olympics witness to the world the beauty and value of every human life and the joy that comes from reaching a goal with the encouragement and support of others, Pope Francis said.

World Relief lays off staff in wake of Trump’s executive order on refugees

February 16, 2017

World Relief has announced it will lay off more than 140 staff members and close five local offices as a “direct result” of President Trump’s order to more than halve the number of refugees resettled this year in the United States.

Border bishops call for dignity regardless of 'migration condition'

February 16, 2017

WASHINGTON – In a joint statement, Catholic bishops whose dioceses are along the U.S.-Mexico border spoke of the "pain, the fear, and the anguish" they're seeing in immigrants and vowed to follow the example of the Pope in building "bridges, rather than the walls of exclusion and exploitation."

U.S. Bishops encouraged by possible religious freedom executive order

February 16, 2017

WASHINGTON – In a Feb. 16 statement, U.S. Catholic Church leaders said they were encouraged that President Donald Trump may be considering an executive order to protect religious freedom and said they would be grateful if he would move forward with the pledge that his administration would "do everything in its power to defend and protect religious liberty."

February 17

Speaking Out: Feminine ‘genius’ is alive and well in the Church

February 17, 2017

Bigoted. Patriarchal. Sexist. We’ve all heard the way some people talk about the Catholic Church — in our schools, at work, in the mainstream media or on the Internet. They say it’s an ancient institution, stuck in the past, left behind by modern progress in women’s rights.

Opinion: Cardinal Joseph Zen is a voice for China’s Catholics

February 17, 2017

Recent developments regarding the Catholic Church in China brought to mind the Canadian visit of the Chinese Church’s most outspoken pastor in 2013.

Papua New Guinea's cardinal: climate change is more concerning than 'Amoris Laetitia'

February 17, 2017

ROME, Italy – While many in different sectors of the Church are pulling out their hair trying to resolve the Amoris Laetitia communion debate, Papua New Guinea's new cardinal said his country has a much more immediate problem.

Constitutionality of leaked executive order on religious freedom called into question

February 17, 2017

WASHINGTON – The former U.S. religious freedom ambassador told a congressional subcommittee that leaked language of a proposed presidential executive order on religious liberty could cause "constitutional problems."

Boy Scouts Christian alternative sees ‘tremendous response’ after transgender decision

February 17, 2017

Since the Boy Scouts of America decided to accept transgender youngsters, there appears to be a growing market for a different kind of scouting group.

Pakistan mourns victims of a series of terrorist attacks

February 17, 2017

HYDERBALD, Pakistan – Pakistanis are mourning those killed and wounded in a series of terrorist attacks which have taken place this week in the country, including one on a Sufi shrine that left more than 80 people dead.

Church leaders hope Trump does not repeal conflict-minerals provisions

February 17, 2017

OXFORD, England – Church leaders and organizations in Africa, Europe and the United States said it would be disastrous if U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order telling companies they no longer had to disclose whether their firms use "conflict minerals" from Congo.

Integration key to quelling fear of migrants, Pope Francis says

February 17, 2017

VATICAN CITY – On Friday Pope Francis paid a visit to Rome’s Roma Tre university, stressing to students the importance of dialogue, listening and integration in putting an end to the fear that can at times be generated in the face of welcoming new migrants.

February 18

This couple gave to persecuted Christians, and Pope Francis responded

February 18, 2017

MADRID, Spain – Josefa Rodríguez and Amaro Pesquero were not expecting to receive a letter from Pope Francis.

Did you know Mother Teresa experienced visions of Jesus?

February 18, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Even her friend of more than 30 years, Father Sebastian Vazhakala, did not know Mother Teresa had conversations with and visions of Jesus before forming the Missionaries of Charity.