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January 2018

January 22

Charles Lewis: It’s official… pro-lifers are second class citizens

January 22, 2018

Most everyone has read an editorial or an opinion piece attacking the federal government’s summer jobs program for excluding organizations that are pro-life — like the Roman Catholic Church. It has caused outrage in many quarters. We should be grateful that it is more than the usual orthodox suspects who see the injustice in this warped decision.

Pope preaches message of hope to 1.3 million at Lima Mass

January 22, 2018

LIMA, Peru – Pope Francis took his message of hope to this sprawling, dusty capital of Peru, celebrating Mass within view of the rocky, waterless Andean slopes where most of the city's poorest residents live.

WATCH: Michael Swan discusses St. Francis Xavier's relic on 'Context with Lorna Dueck'

January 22, 2018

Catholic Register's managing editor, Michael Swan, talks about the significance of St. Francis Xavier's relic to Church history and explains the indulgences it might represent.

Bob Brehl: France takes bold step to ban mobile phones in elementary schools

January 22, 2018

A couple months ago, this space was devoted to a new book by a California psychologist and researcher who argues constant use of smartphones is making young people unhappy, even depressed.

Dioceses tell Catholics not to sign Canada Summer Jobs attestation

January 22, 2018

OTTAWA – Catholic dioceses are recommending employers not sign the required pro-abortion attestation in applying for a Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) grant.

Fr. ‘Pops’ Johns beloved on city streets for work with runaway youth

January 22, 2018

MONTREAL – Fr. Emmett “Pops” Johns, a gruff Montreal street priest who was beloved for his work with homeless and runaway youth, died Jan. 14. He was 89.

The Church on the Street: Reaching out a hand of hope

January 22, 2018

It is a frigid evening, and the setting sun leaves the grip of darkness on the downtown area where hope and despair wrestle nightly for sovereignty.

Editorial: Scrap Summer Jobs policy

January 22, 2018

Changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program that for all intents blacklist employers who oppose abortion and gender theory are outrageous, discriminatory and, surely, unconstitutional.

January 23

Producer Pete Shilaimon captures his faith in films

January 23, 2018

If faith is meant for all people, then it is also meant for the box office.

Congolese forces use violence to disperse church-led protests

January 23, 2018

KINSHASA, Congo – Security forces in Congo violently dispersed protesters who were demanding that President Joseph Kabila hold fresh elections.

Serving isolated parishes may mean ordaining married men, cardinal says

January 23, 2018

VATICAN – The idea of exceptionally ordaining older married men of proven virtue to celebrate the Eucharist in isolated Catholic communities is something that should be discussed, said Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

'Call for Conscience' calls for action against assisted suicide

January 23, 2018

As the groundwork for a lawsuit is being laid to challenge the right of Catholic health care institutions to opt out of assisted suicide, Ontario’s bishops and the Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience are mounting their second annual Call For Conscience campaign.

Life-saving act of kindness creates life-long friendship

January 23, 2018

COQUITLAM, B.C. – Eleven years ago, a very ill young father received the Christmas gift of a lifetime.

January 24

Safeguard families and human dignity, Pope says to global leaders at Davos

January 24, 2018

VATICAN – Global leaders must implement policies that support the family and offer real opportunities for the growth and development of all people, Pope Francis told people attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Sharing 'fake news' makes one an accomplice in evil, Pope says

January 24, 2018

VATICAN - People have a responsibility to check the source of what they share on social media to ensure it is not "fake news" designed to further prejudices or increase fear, Pope Francis said.

Don't compromise on protecting minors from abuse, Pope says

January 24, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis said he told the bishops and priests of Chile to be uncompromising when it comes to protecting minors from sexual abuse and to trust that God will purify and renew his church during this time of trial.

Vatican tries to resolve split between Chinese bishops

January 24, 2018

BEIJING, China – The Vatican’s efforts to resolve the split between underground Chinese bishops and the government-recognized Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association face another challenge, as an aging bishop faithful to Rome has reportedly declined a Vatican request to retire, to be replaced by a bishop favoured by the Chinese government.

Minister Hajdu stands by ‘mandate’ of summer jobs funding as opposition grows

January 24, 2018

OTTAWA – As opposition mounts against a required pro-abortion attestation in the Canada Summer Jobs application, Employment Minister Patty Hajdu is still hoping faith groups will apply.

New mining ombudsperson greeted with guarded optimism

January 24, 2018

Church agencies in Latin America and the Philippines are cautiously welcoming Ottawa’s move to set up a Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise who will have power to investigate human rights abuses and environmental damage associated with Canadian-owned or operated mines abroad.

Chaldean Bishop Biwai Soro is on a new world mission

January 24, 2018

Chaldean Bishop Biwai Soro had been a priest and pastor for more than a decade when he stumbled on a simpler, more basic understanding of priesthood.