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September 2018

September 18

'Evil in our midst': Edmonton archbishop calls for reform in wake of scandal

September 18, 2018

The Church must embrace reform and do whatever it takes to help victims of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked Catholics around the world, says Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith.

U.S. aid cuts to Palestinians could be disastrous, Catholic workers say

September 18, 2018

JERUSALEM – The U.S. budgetary cuts to humanitarian aid institutions helping Palestinians could lead to long-term disastrous consequences, said Catholic aid workers in the region.

Housing just part of the answer to fight poverty

September 18, 2018

EDMONTON – Frank “Bushy” Stegemeier is struggling.

CCO's Discovery faith study program takes off

September 18, 2018

VANCOUVER – A faith study program that has been around for decades has suddenly received new life.

Pope Francis gives new vision for Synod of Bishops

September 18, 2018

VATICAN – The Synod of Bishops increasingly should be a structure for listening to the Catholic faithful, demonstrating a local bishop's concern for the entire church and a means of expressing all the bishops' unity with the pope, Pope Francis said.

Canadian bishops set to approve abuse document

September 18, 2018

OTTAWA – As the universal Church reels in crisis, Canada’s Catholic bishops are poised to approve a long-awaited document on sexual abuse.

Abuse victim starts parish on the road to healing

September 18, 2018

Parishioners at St. Luke’s Parish in Thornhill, Ont., like Catholics around the world, have been wounded by the Church’s sexual abuse scandals. Now they’re ready to apply a little talk therapy to the wounds.

Charles Lewis: The papal office deserves a defence

September 18, 2018

Before I became a Catholic 10 years ago I viewed the papacy as a monarchy, representing great strength and self-assurance.

Luke Stocking: Time to overcome fear

September 18, 2018

How little it takes. How few people cross our borders before we allow narratives of fear to start taking hold of us.

September 19

Five Canadians added to youth synod

September 19, 2018

VATICAN – The Vatican has announced that five more Canadians — a cardinal, two priests and two laity — have been selected to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops on youth.

Cardinal Marx says mistakes were made in handling abuse, calls for change in German church

September 19, 2018

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the German bishops' conference, admitted that mistakes were made in the German church's handling of sex abuse of minors and said he anticipates change in the church.

Church isn't above the law when it comes to abuse, Chilean bishop says

September 19, 2018

VATICAN – As revelations of the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy continue in Chile, an archbishop said that the church can no longer ignore the suffering of victims.

Vatican-China deal could be signed in late September, media reports say

September 19, 2018

HONG KONG – The long-awaited Sino-Vatican agreement on the nomination of bishops is expected to be signed in September, reported several media outlets.

U2's Bono meets Pope Francis to sign charity agreement

September 19, 2018

VATICAN – Bono, the lead singer of the Irish band U2, said he told Pope Francis that in Ireland "it looks as though the abusers are being more protected than the victims. And you could see the pain in his face."

September 20

Coalition marks 20 years in euthanasia fight

September 20, 2018

It would seem the war over euthanasia is over, but the fight is not ending for Alex Schadenberg.

U.S. bishops plan third-party abuse reporting system, code of conduct

September 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – Pledging to "heal and protect with every bit of the strength God provides us," the U.S. bishops' Administrative Committee Sept. 19 outlined actions to address the abuse crisis, including approving the establishment of a third-party confidential reporting system for claims of any abuse by bishops.

Some cry 'scandal' to cover their own faults, Pope says at Mass

September 20, 2018

VATICAN – While God's holy church is made up of sinners, it also has its share of hypocrites who love to cry "scandal" to point out the failings of others and make themselves appear pure, Pope Francis said at morning Mass.

Data collection system to monitor doctor-induced deaths is flawed, experts warn

September 20, 2018

New federal government rules to monitor euthanasia and assisted suicide are opaque and weak at a time when legally induced deaths are rising at alarming levels, warn several organizations.

In letters to Cardinal Brandmuller, pope emeritus defends his retirement

September 20, 2018

VATICAN – Retired Pope Benedict XVI expressed his displeasure with the way a German cardinal publicly criticized his stepping down as pontiff, and he defended taking the title "pope emeritus."

Apostolic visitor outlines plans to expand Medjugorje shrine for young pilgrims

September 20, 2018

WARSAW, Poland – The Polish archbishop tasked with overseeing Bosnia-Herzegovina's Medjugorje shrine has outlined plans for expansion, including more Masses in different languages and facilities for young pilgrims who flock to the site of the alleged Marian apparitions.