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May 14, 2018
VATICAN – Pope Francis called the bishops of Chile to the Vatican to "examine the causes and consequences" of the clerical sexual abuse scandal and acknowledge personal responsibility and "the mechanisms that in some cases led to a cover up and serious omissions regarding the victims," the Vatican said.
VATICAN – The Catholic Church must not keep young men and women at a distance, but instead must learn to listen to them, Pope Francis said.
VATICAN – After multiple bombings at churches in Indonesia left 11 dead dozens more injured, Pope Francis prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and asked God to bring an end to hatred and violence.
OTTAWA – In the face of persistent assaults on religious freedom and its place in the Canada’s public square, the Christian think tank Cardus has established the Cardus Religious Freedom Institute.
VATICAN – A Chilean bishop acknowledged the damage inflicted on survivors of clerical sex abuse and the mishandling of cases by church leaders in the country.
For the first time, Canada is seeing more people claim refugee status after hopping the U.S. border on back roads than make a claim at regular, official ports of entry. At the same time the total number of refugee claims has more than doubled in just one year.
JERUSALEM – As the new United States embassy was inaugurated in Jerusalem May 14, violence broke out between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers.
LIVERPOOL, England – Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Liverpool to pay tribute to Alfie Evans on the day of the toddler's funeral.
May 15, 2018
ROME – While taking selfies can be an occasion to capture treasured memories, it can also be a sign that young men and women are deprived of meaningful human interaction with others, Pope Francis said.
VATICAN – When a bishop leaves a diocese, he should give an honest assessment of what he has done and where he has fallen short, but mostly he should encourage people to follow the Lord, Pope Francis said.
VATICAN – The Vatican released an instruction with new norms for contemplative orders of nuns, encouraging cooperation among their monasteries and outlining procedures for communities left with only a few members.
DUBLIN – In the last major pro-life rally ahead of Ireland's May 25 referendum on whether to liberalize the country's abortion laws, thousands gathered to say "no" to far-reaching proposals that could see abortion on demand up to 12 weeks, and even later in some cases.
May 16, 2018
VATICAN – In a time when the world is mired in conflicts, religious leaders have a duty to show that it is possible to set aside differences and work together for the common good, Pope Francis said.
JERUSALEM – As the world witnesses "another outburst of hatred and violence, which is once again bleeding all over the Holy Land," the head of Jerusalem's Latin Patriarchate called for prayers for peace.
OTTAWA – There is little difference between the views of Canadian Catholics and the general population when it comes to abortion, conscience rights and the Canada Summer Jobs attestation, according to a poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus.
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government would formally apologize for sending refugee Jews back to Nazi death camps during the Second World War, Canadian bishops, rabbis and their supporters were down the street watching a movie.
OTTAWA – Prodded by an increasing intolerance for those who profess pro-life convictions — most pointedly and menacingly by no one less than our prime minister — my wife and I decided it was time to walk the walk and made our way up to Ottawa for the 21st annual National March for Life. I had attended one of the very earliest of these marches back around the turn of the century and had a pretty good idea what we were in for.
VATICAN – Warning that violence will never bring peace, Pope Francis urged all sides to do all they can to foster dialogue in the Middle East.
JAKARTA, Indonesia – As another deadly attack by Islamic radicals rocked Indonesia May 16, dozens of religious leaders, backed by former first lady Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, launched a new anti-terrorism group.
Conscience of a Nation: Jesuits in English Canada (1842-2016), Jesuit History Series vol. 3., edited by Jacques Monet, S.J. (Novalis, softcover, 224 pages, $34.95)