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October 2018

October 8

Pakistan court rules on Catholic woman's blasphemy charge for insulting Muhammad

October 8, 2018

CHESTER, England – A court in Pakistan has reached a decision on whether a Catholic woman will become the first person to hang to death under the country's controversial blasphemy laws.

October 9

Sex abuse crisis, role of women recurring discussions at synod, members say

October 9, 2018

VATICAN – Despite many positive and joyful moments during the Synod of Bishops on young people, bishops also have set aside the agenda to discuss the serious scandals and unfolding allegations affecting the church, two synod fathers said.

Aid groups, bishop sound alarm over humanitarian crisis affecting 21 million in Yemen

October 9, 2018

AMMAN, Jordan – Aid agencies and Catholic officials are sounding the alarm on Yemen's spiraling humanitarian crisis, calling on the combatants to end the war and make badly need assistance available.

Kim Jong Un invites Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, South Korean spokesman says

October 9, 2018

SEOUl, South Korea – North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, a South Korean spokesman said Tuesday.

Canada’s Salvadoran community unites to celebrate Romero

October 9, 2018

It’s a nine-hour flight from Toronto to Vatican City. It’s seven hours by jet to El Salvador. But Msgr. Oscar Romero’s canonization on Oct. 14 will not be a distant event for many Catholics.

Anthropocene at AGO: Exploring the stark reality of man’s footprint on the planet — scars and all

October 9, 2018

Looking at the cathedral-scale art by one of the world’s foremost photographers, theologian Dennis Patrick O’Hara said, “Yes, it’s awesome and it’s awful.”

The Register Archives: Vatican II begins its historic journey

October 9, 2018

It was 56 years ago this week — Oct. 11, 1962 — that the Second Vatican Council began its work of addressing how the Church should adapt to the modern world. Vatican II ended three years later and the changes formed the basis of much of the Church’s liturgy and teaching to this day. The massive task of the council, mandated by Pope John XXIII, began with much pomp and ceremony, as The Register reported in its Oct. 13, 1962 issue.

Positive reviews for Canadian bishops’ sex abuse document, but hard work is ahead

October 9, 2018

OTTAWA - The Canadian Catholic bishops’ new sexual abuse document released Oct. 4 sets the right tone, say observers, but now the hard work of implementation begins.

MP launches petition against violence after assaults at LifeChain pro-life demonstrations

October 9, 2018

OTTAWA – Conservative MP Garnet Genuis has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to condemn political violence after news of several incidences of assault against pro-life demonstrators.

First formal synod reports focus on sex abuse, sexuality, friendship, mission

October 9, 2018

VATICAN – In their first formal reports to the entire Synod of Bishops, many of the gathering's working groups reported that they had discussed the clerical sexual abuse crisis and, especially, its impact on young Catholics.

Vatican honours Toronto couple for their years of service to the Church

October 9, 2018

You’d almost think it wasn’t a big deal to Anne and Dane MacCarthy, the Vatican honouring the Toronto couple for their years of service to the Church.

Chalice sponsorship program bring new joy to the Church in developing countries

October 9, 2018

On the day of a priest’s ordination, he receives from his bishop the most important tool of his ministry: the chalice.

Jesuit’s passion is written in the stars

October 9, 2018

For most scientists, the next move after completing a PhD at Princeton University is to join an important research project at a big, prestigious university or institute. Adam Hincks took his advanced degree and experience in scientific cosmology and joined a group that has been investigating the universe for 500 years — the Jesuits.

Questioning Faith: Gift of awe can unleash powerful change

October 9, 2018

One late-summer evening, I snatched a moment to walk down to the lake. The day’s rain was starting to clear, golden sunshine emerging. The beach was criss-crossed with noise and activity: volleyball players, loudspeakers, food sales, toys, umbrellas.

Robert Brehl: Will Church leaders confront awful past?

October 9, 2018

Is it possible for a Catholic bishop to not know sex with children is a crime?

Church on the street: Secrets of street reveal pain… and joy

October 9, 2018

The summer had been warm and humid, and unlike many churches that can afford air conditioning, the church on the street had to find its own way of surviving the muggy evenings.

October 10

Young people, clerics, need better formation on sexuality, Cardinal Lacroix says

October 10, 2018

VATICAN – Young Catholics, particularly clerics, need better formation on sexuality, affectivity, and the body, Canada's Cardinal Gérald Lacroix told reporters Tuesday, speaking about the 2018 Synod of Bishops.

Vatican releases list of twelve synod members drafting final report

October 10, 2018

VATICAN – Twelve synod members have been named to a commission to draft the final report summarizing the discussion at the Synod of Bishops on young people. The report will be given Pope Francis.

Who are the excommunicated Chinese bishops received back into ecclesial communion?

October 10, 2018

BANGKOK – Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai, one of two Chinese participants attending the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, concelebrated Mass with St. John Paul II twice in 1995. Although he was a member of the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association – not recognized by the Vatican – it was only after his illicit ordination as a bishop of the Chinese-designated Diocese of Chengde that he was automatically excommunicated.

Synod of Bishops can make 'deep and profound change', Luxembourg archbishop says

October 10, 2018

VATICAN – At a Synod of Bishops where "cultural shift," "epochal change" and "massive challenge" are almost buzz phrases, Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg said, "I'm very optimistic."