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June 2017

June 14

Philosopher who backs legal abortion joins Vatican pro-life academy

June 14, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Philosopher Nigel Biggar, who backs legal abortion, is among the 45 new appointments to the Pontifical Academy for Life, according to a statement on the Vatican website.

Earthquake triggers landslides in western Guatemala

June 14, 2017

SAN MARCOS, Guatemala – A magnitude 6.9 earthquake June 14 in western Guatemala resulted in landslides that closed the Inter-American Highway, which connects many Central American nations.

Pope, cardinal advisers study 'healthy decentralization' proposals

June 14, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and members of his international Council of Cardinals discussed the possibility of allowing local bishops rather than the Vatican decide on certain matters, including the marriage or priestly ordination of permanent deacons.

Vatican releases online questionnaire for youth ahead of synod

June 14, 2017

VATICAN CITY – To involve young people in preparations for the Synod of Bishops on youth in 2018, the Vatican has released an online questionnaire to better understand the lives, attitudes and concerns of 16- to 29-year-olds around the world.

Catholic leaders pray for London fire victims, offer assistance

June 14, 2017

LONDON – Catholic leaders in London offered prayers for victims of a fire in a 24-story apartment building.

Church officials say Cameroonian bishop death was murder, not suicide

June 14, 2017

YAOUNDE, Cameroon – Catholic bishops in Cameroon said a bishop whose body was pulled from a river in early June did not commit suicide, but was murdered.

U.S. authorities investigating shooting of Catholic congressman, others

June 14, 2017

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Federal authorities are investigating a shooting that resulted in injuries for Catholic congressman and Republican Steve Scalise and others when a gunman opened fire on him and others during a June 14 practice for an annual congressional baseball game.

June 15

Comment: It’s time to tell our side of euthanasia story

June 15, 2017

A few weeks ago the Sunday New York Times Magazine ran a lengthy feature about a Vancouver Island man who had chosen to die by euthanasia. John Shields, a former priest who later married, was suffering from a rare disease that caused proteins to build up in his heart and painful nerve damage in his arms and legs, the Times story said.

Editorial: Canada's sad euthanasia anniversary

June 15, 2017

One year, perhaps 2,000 deaths and several unresolved issues.

Ottawa parish sparks giant family reunion for Syrian refugees

June 15, 2017

OTTAWA – Holy Redeemer, a parish in the Ottawa archdiocese, didn’t stop at bringing in one Syrian refugee family. They brought in three — and plan to bring in three more.

Sisters of St. Joseph make case to battle poverty

June 15, 2017

Given the chance to tell politicians from Ottawa about poverty, Sr. Sue Mosteller didn’t want to argue about economics.

Schools move to fight opioid overdoses

June 15, 2017

With opioids now killing two people per day in Ontario, some school boards are preparing to equip staff with the overdose antidote Naloxone.

Faith: Social issues all part of one seamless garment

June 15, 2017

John of the Cross teaches that within spirituality and morality there are no exempt areas. Simply put, you cannot be a saint or a highly moral person if you allow yourself a moral exemption or two.

Faith: We are challenged to break free from fear

June 15, 2017

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 25 (Year A) Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33 Jeremiah felt absolutely overwhelmed and besieged. His entire prophetic ministry was marked by persecution, ridicule, rejection and attempts on his life. It seemed to him that a host of enemies was arrayed against him, all intent on his destruction.

Vatican supports new elections to solve Venezuelan crisis

June 15, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Negotiations between government and opposition groups in Venezuela, followed by free and fair elections, are needed to put an end to violence and bring relief to the suffering people, a Vatican official said.

Priest's love of cars helps raise funds for vocations in poorest diocese

June 15, 2017

WASHINGTON – A priest who loves rebuilding hot rods and assisting seminarians is donating a 1969 Pontiac Firebird Convertible that he refurbished for a raffle in support of vocations for the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico.

Parish prays for congressman in critical condition after shooting

June 15, 2017

METAIRIE, La. – More than 150 people attended a prayer service at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Metairie June 14 to pray for the recovery of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, and other victims of a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, early that morning.

In book foreword, Pope Francis calls corruption a 'cancer'

June 15, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, in a foreword to a work by Cardinal Peter Turkson, has said corruption infects the world like a cancer, and the Church must combat it by working together with society, infusing it with mercy.

Dozens of Indonesian priests resign after accusing bishop of embezzlement

June 15, 2017

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Dozens of Indonesian priests have quit their posts after accusing a bishop on the Catholic majority island of Flores of embezzling more than $100,000 of church funds for personal use.

June 16

Speaking Out: Keeping my faith after high school

June 16, 2017

Staying connected to my faith has always been easy for me. During my high school years at Holy Name of Mary College School, I attended mandatory Mass once a month, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and participated in faith-related reflections for class.