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February 2018

February 5

Church helps people in Colombia reconcile after 52 years of conflict

February 5, 2018

UNITED NATIONS – In the complex peace process now underway in Colombia after 52 years of violent conflict, the Catholic Church works on many levels to replace a culture of violence with one of encounter.

February 6

Rekindle your love for the faith with fasting, almsgiving, Pope says in Lenten message

February 6, 2018

VATICAN – In his message for the upcoming Lenten season, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as an opportunity to stoke the flame of charity in their heart.

Vatican approves second miracle needed for Paul VI’s canonization

February 6, 2018

VATICAN – On Tuesday the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved the second miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed Pope Paul VI, allowing his canonization to take place, possibly later this year.

China is a model of Catholic social teaching, protector of human dignity, bishop says

February 6, 2018

VATICAN – The chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has said that China is exercising global moral leadership in the principles of Catholic social teaching and defense of human dignity.

St. Francis Xavier’s Canadian tour leaves a lasting legacy

February 6, 2018

OTTAWA – Nearly 80,000 people across Canada thronged to see the relic of St. Francis Xavier that made a coast-to-coast pilgrimage Dec. 26-Feb. 3.

Peter Stockland: Returning to conscience at the collapse of the sexual revolution

February 6, 2018

Prudence counsels against turning the #MeToo movement into an epic of #IToldYouSo. Nor is there room, among Christians especially, for schadenfreude as the sexual revolution ends in the disgusting morass we long knew it would.

No compromise on Canada Summer Jobs policy

February 6, 2018

Catholic agencies that alter the controversial reproductive rights attestation on the Canada Summer Jobs application will be denied grant money, according to a government spokesperson.

February 7

'I am on a pilgrimage toward Home,' Benedict XVI says

February 7, 2018

VATICAN – "I am on a pilgrimage toward Home," retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote, capitalizing the Italian word "casa" or "home."

Pope Francis sends condolences to victims of Taiwan quake

February 7, 2018

VATICAN – After a massive earthquake and a string of aftershocks in Taiwan killed at least seven and injured hundreds more, Pope Francis Wednesday sent a telegram assuring of his prayer for the victims and those engaged in rescue efforts.

Two ex-managers of Vatican bank ordered to pay damages for mismanagement

February 7, 2018

VATICAN – A Vatican court found two former top managers of the Vatican bank liable for mismanagement and ordered an injunction for them to pay damages.

St. Michael’s Choir School receives $11 million from Ontario government

February 7, 2018

The halls of St. Michael’s Choir School were filled with a lot more than music on Feb. 7.

February 8

Bill banning circumcision in Iceland a threat to religious freedom, Cardinal Marx says

February 8, 2018

A new bill proposed in Iceland that would make circumcision punishable by up to six years in prison is a “dangerous attack” on religious freedom, Cardinal Reinhard Marx has said.

Cardinal Marx urges pastoral care, but not 'blessing' of gay couples

February 8, 2018

ROME – The president of the German bishops' conference urged priests to provide better pastoral care to Catholics who are homosexual, but he said, "I think that would not be right" when asked if he could imagine the Catholic Church blessing gay couples.

St. Josephine Bakhita puts fresh face on parish diversity

February 8, 2018

From slavery to sainthood, the story of St. Josephine Bakhita is one of resilience and faith.

Catholics see restrictions as new religion rules take effect in China

February 8, 2018

HONG KONG – Since China's new regulations for religious affairs took effect Feb. 1, minors have been banned from entering places of worship in several regions.

Pope Francis’ reputation on sex abuse ‘has gone from bad to worse’

February 8, 2018

VATICAN – From his advocacy for migrants to opening up the Sistine Chapel to Rome’s homeless, Pope Francis has been an outspoken voice for people suffering on the margins.

The Register Archive: Canadian clergy march for civil rights

February 8, 2018

To mark The Register’s 125th year, we are re-publishing some interesting stories from our archive. As we celebrate Black History Month, here’s an article from March 20, 1965, reporting on a march in Ottawa that drew thousands in support of the civil rights movement in the United States. The event was held shortly after the historic Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama on March 7 that resulted in state troopers attacking demonstrators on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

Lawyer says no buffer zones needed around abortion clinics in England

February 8, 2018

MANCHESTER, England – A prominent Catholic lawyer has expressed concern that local governments are considering exclusion zones around abortion clinics, with no proof anyone is harassing pregnant women.

Speaking Out: Fight for the truth and the unborn

February 8, 2018

We live in a country where we are told what to believe, we are pressured to conform, and our religious freedoms are gradually being taken away.

Court decision on assisted suicide referrals opens door for other challenges

February 8, 2018

While doctors who lost their right to practise medicine according to their conscience contemplate a legal appeal, a prominent pro-euthanasia organization suspects faith-based hospitals, nursing homes and hospices may be next to face demands to accommodate euthanasia and assisted suicide.