Browse › 2018 › April

April 2018

April 17

Canadian bishops hit back at motion on papal apology

April 17, 2018

OTTAWA – Canada’s bishops’ conference is pushing back against “inaccuracies” in a proposed Parliamentary motion that will call on them to formally invite Pope Francis to apologize for the Church’s role in residential schools.

Philippines to deport Australian nun who advocated for farmers

April 17, 2018

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine authorities have arrested, detained and intend to deport a 71-year-old Australian nun for allegedly engaging in illegal political activities.

Twelve Canadian bishops withholding funds to Development and Peace

April 17, 2018

Twelve Canadian bishops, including Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, are withholding contributions to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace following preliminary research that indicates some of the Catholic agency’s partners may be connected to abortion or artificial contraception.

April 18

Father of Alfie Evans meets Pope, begs for help to save his son

April 18, 2018

VATICAN – Begging Pope Francis to help his son, Alfie, Tom Evans met with the pontiff, pleading for "asylum" in Italy so his seriously ill son may receive care and not be euthanized in England.

Iceland's Catholic leaders condemn circumcision law as anti-Semitic

April 18, 2018

The Catholic Church in Iceland is speaking out against a popular proposed law that could land Jewish and Muslim parents in prison for up to six years for circumcising their infant boys.

Scottish bishop criticizes BBC film for mockery of Eucharist

April 18, 2018

PAISLEY, Scotland – A Scottish bishop has criticized the BBC for making a film that describes the Eucharist as smelling "like hate."

Chaplains deal with a new level of grief in Humboldt tragedy

April 18, 2018

Hospital chaplains are accustomed to seeing death and terrible illnes. It’s just a byproduct of the job. But there is only so much they can be prepared for.

Name given at baptism gives sense of identity, belonging, Pope says

April 18, 2018

VATICAN – Naming a child is an important task for parents, because it gives children a sense of identity and belonging to their family and to God, Pope Francis said.

No minors allowed: Chinese Catholics warned to follow rules on religious affairs

April 18, 2018

HONG KONG – Catholics in China's Henan province have been warned that venues will be closed if they do not adhere to the revised regulations on religious affairs.

Motion on papal apology fails to get unanimous consent

April 18, 2018

OTTAWA – A motion calling on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to invite Pope Francis to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in abuse at Indian Residential schools failed to get unanimous consent April 18 in the House of Commons.

April 19

Irish pro-lifers launch 'vote no' campaign for referendum on unborn

April 19, 2018

DUBLIN – Pro-life activists have launched a campaign urging citizens to vote no in a forthcoming referendum to remove the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution. That amendment provides legal protection for unborn children "with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother."

Don't be 'couch potatoes,' get up and evangelize, Pope says

April 19, 2018

VATICAN – Christians must be willing to move where the Spirit leads them and not be benchwarmers on the sidelines of efforts to evangelize, Pope Francis said.

Pope calls German bishops to Rome to discuss Communion sharing

April 19, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis has asked German bishops to come to Rome to discuss pastoral guidelines for possibly allowing some non-Catholics married to Catholics to receive the Eucharist, the German bishops' conference said.

Easter season continues at U of T Newman retreat

April 19, 2018

Even in the midst of a heavy ice storm, in the middle of exam season, more than 200 students and community members gathered together April 14 at University of Toronto’s Newman Centre for an Easter retreat.

Speaking Out: Forgetting my faith was a mistake

April 19, 2018

When I was younger, it wasn’t difficult for me to balance my faith with extra-curricular activities and family obligations.

Glen Argan: Pope offers a practical guide to a holy life

April 19, 2018

Pope Francis has long held in esteem the late Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen van Thuan, the archbishop of Saigon who spent 13 years in a communist prison camp, including nine years in solitary confinement.

Cathy Majtenyi: Bishops’ letter leaves question unanswered

April 19, 2018

Why won’t Pope Francis issue a formal apology for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system?

Figure of speech: Restored water tower is an oasis of healing

April 19, 2018

Thanks to generous donors, St. Mary’s University in Calgary was recently able to complete the restoration of our nearly 100-year-old water tower. Built by the Sisters of Providence in 1921, the tower has stood over the Midnapore site for nearly a century, its fortunes waxing and waning — mostly waning — over time.

Editorial: A blast from the past

April 19, 2018

Here we go again. Development and Peace, an organization created by Canada’s bishops, is back on the hot seat over allegations it failed to properly screen some overseas partners. At least 11 dioceses have withheld funds from the organization after suggestions that several of its partner agencies are offside on issues that include abortion, contraception and gender theory.

April 20

Bush recalled for her 'unwavering love, devotion' to family, community

April 20, 2018

HOUSTON – Former first lady Barbara Bush "was a model public servant and set a standard for her unwavering and loving devotion to both family and community," said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston Houston in offering his prayers and "heartfelt condolences" to the Bush family.