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July 2017

July 25

Canoe pilgrimage is riding the wave of reconciliation

July 25, 2017

The path to reconciliation between Canada and its First Nations’ people will ultimately be a long journey. Too large of a schism has developed among the two cultures over 400 years, with the newcomers overwhelming the founding nations.

Catholics oppose buffer zone around Kentucky's last abortion clinic

July 25, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pro-life activists in the Archdiocese of Louisville have spoken out against a city ordinance which resulted in the creation of a temporary buffer zone outside Kentucky's only facility where abortions can be procured.

New York court says church has right to hire employees who 'advance faith'

July 25, 2017

NEW YORK – A court ruling that the New York Archdiocese did not discriminate against a school principal when it did not renew her contract affirms "the freedom of a church to decide who will serve as its religious leaders," said the Alliance Defending Freedom.

U.S. bishop urges Senate to remedy health care after vote to proceed

July 25, 2017

WASHINGTON – After the Senate voted July 25 to proceed with the health care debate, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, urged senators of both parties to "work together to advance changes that serve the common good."

July 26

Quebec's Cardinal Lacroix warns of feminism’s pitfalls

July 26, 2017

OTTAWA – It is a “big mistake” for women to embrace a feminism that says achieving equality with men comes “only when they erase, minimize, or reject their femininity and motherhood,” said Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec.

Churches fight wage ‘fear-mongering’ of $15-an-hour minimum wage

July 26, 2017

A $15-an-hour minimum wage, new rules to help unions organize, across-the-board increases in vacation and emergency-leave time and scheduling rules to prevent employers from suddenly cancelling shifts at the last minute are all getting strong support from churches and faith-based intervenors at cross-Ontario hearings into labour law reform.

Vatican conference aims to build momentum for nuclear disarmament

July 26, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Nuclear disarmament will be the focus of a Vatican conference this Nov. 10-11, following recent progress toward international bans on nuclear weapons.

Theologians in Italy studying development of 'Humanae Vitae'

July 26, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Four theologians specializing in marriage and family life are studying Vatican archival material with a view of telling the whole story of how and why Blessed Paul VI wrote his encyclical Humanae Vitae on married love.

Cardinal Pell faces Australian court on sex abuse charges

July 26, 2017

MELBOURNE, Australia – Silent but defiant, Cardinal George Pell made his first court appearance in Australia on Wednesday (July 26) on charges of sexual abuse, vowing through his lawyer to fight the allegations that have rocked Rome and threatened the Pope's image as a crusader against abusive clergy.

Court to decide if Charlie Gard's parents can take him home

July 26, 2017

LONDON, England – After ending their legal fight to seek further treatment for their 11-month-old son, the parents of Charlie Gard are now in a dispute with Great Ormond Street Hospital over whether they may take the boy home to live out his final days.

Faith: We find God in our quietest moments

July 26, 2017

In a fantasy movie, two fallen angels are on a quest. As often happens with quests, violence ensues. They battle it out, angels and humans, blood and wing-feathers flying. Towards the end of the movie, when it’s too late, God wakes from a long nap and wanders in, yawning.

Faith: Confessing both sin and praise isn’t easy

July 26, 2017

The mark of genuine contrition is not a sense of guilt, but a sense of sorrow and regret for having taken a wrong turn.

Faith: God’s divine power revealed in visions

July 26, 2017

Transfiguration of the Lord, Aug. 6 (Year A) Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19 Daniel’s vision has a long afterlife. It has been burned into the consciousness of the three Abrahamic religions and is at the core of most apocalyptic theology.

July 27

Comment: Blood from Vimy Ridge, martyred apostles remind us of our covenant

July 27, 2017

OTTAWA – On the main route travelled by the Prince of Wales from Rideau Hall toward the teepee on Parliament Hill for Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations at the beginning of July, it was notable that the banners flying from the light standards were not for Canada 150, but for the centennial of Vimy Ridge. Looked upon with biblical eyes, it was a reminder that covenants have to be ratified, to be paid for as it were, and the payment is in blood.

Editorial: Take Pope Francis' advice and stop complaining

July 27, 2017

Let’s face it, we live in a world of complainers.

High schooler's video gives back to beloved St. Francis Table

July 27, 2017

What started out as a Grade 10 Civics video project became a new way for Émile Constantin to connect with the memory of his beloved great uncle.

Ohio bishops: Replace death penalty with mercy, conversion

July 27, 2017

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Catholic leaders in Ohio stressed the need to replace the death penalty with mercy and spiritual conversion, following the execution of convicted child murderer Ronald Phillips.

Pro-life groups praise new Missouri bill curbing abortion

July 27, 2017

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Pro-lifers lauded a bill that will restrict abortion access in Missouri, granting the state attorney general more power to prosecute violations, and requiring both stricter health codes and proper fetal tissue disposal.

Pilgrims drawn to sacred shores of Alberta's Lac St. Anne

July 27, 2017

The annual pilgrimage to the sacred shores of Lac St. Anne in Alberta has been going on for 162 years, but it never gets old.

Catholic charities want people to hear migrants' stories

July 27, 2017

VATICAN CITY – No matter the position one takes on national migration policy, Pope Francis, Caritas Internationalis and national Catholic charities across the globe want Catholics to meet a migrant or refugee and listen to his or her story.