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December 2018

December 7

Beatification of martyrs can united Christians, Muslims, Algerian bishop says

December 7, 2018

ALGIERS, Algeria – The beatifications of 19 martyrs in Algeria will be a "great joy" to the church and will help unite Christians and Muslims of the country, said a French-Algerian archbishop.

Fight against drugs, 'traffickers of death', Pope Francis says

December 7, 2018

VATICAN – Everyone must help in the fight against drugs, particularly governments which are called to confront the "traffickers of death" who produce, distribute or sell addictive substances, Pope Francis said.

The Register Archives: A message of thanks for our new flag

December 7, 2018

In the winter of 1964, Parliament was a hotbed of debate. With Canada’s 100th birthday just two-and-a-half years away, politicians were busily trying to come to some sort of agreement on a new national flag to replace the Red Ensign. The Great Canadian Flag Debate officially began in June 1964 and after six months of often bitter argument, it finally ended on Dec. 15, 1964 as the Liberals invoked closure, much to the chagrin of Conservative leader John Diefenbaker. Two months later, the new flag flew for the first time, prompting this letter to The Catholic Register editor from an unnamed seminarian at Toronto’s St. Augustine’s Seminary.

UAlberta Pro-Life punished for doing things right

December 7, 2018

EDMONTON – A University of Alberta pro-life group says its right to freedom of expression has been violated by the imposition of a $17,500 security fee to stage events on campus.

Canadian bishops discuss sex abuse policy, Indigenous Peoples with Pope Francis

December 7, 2018

VATICAN – The leaders of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said the concerns of the indigenous peoples in Canada and the bishops' updated sexual abuse policies were among the issues they spoke about with Pope Francis.

Woman dumps sulfuric acid on priest hearing confessions in Nicaragua

December 7, 2018

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – A 24-year-old woman dumped sulfuric acid on a priest while he was hearing confessions in the Managua cathedral.

December 8

Sand and tree add to Christmas spirit at the Vatican

December 8, 2018

VATICAN – The annual unveiling of the Vatican’s Christmas tree and Nativity scene brought some much-needed warmth to people’s hearts as winter approached.

God's Word on Sunday: God’s hand is evident everywhere

December 8, 2018

Second Sunday in Advent (Year C) Dec. 9 (Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126; Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6)

December 10

On the Feast of Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis asks Mary's care of refugees

December 10, 2018

ROME – In the heart of Rome, near streets of fancy shops already blinged out for Christmas shopping, Pope Francis prayed for Romans struggling to survive and for families in the city and around the world who face the same lack of welcome that Mary and Joseph experienced.

Algerian martyrs bear witness to Christian-Muslim peace, Pope Francis says

December 10, 2018

VATICAN – The lives of 19 religious men and women martyred during the Algerian civil war are a testament to God's plan of love and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, Pope Francis said.

Human rights of most vulnerable must be promoted at all times, Pope Francis says

December 10, 2018

VATICAN – The fundamental rights of all human beings, especially the most vulnerable, must be respected and protected in every situation, Pope Francis said, marking Human Rights Day, Dec.10.

Glen Argan: Common ground with Eastern religion can enhance Christianity

December 10, 2018

Thomas Merton, the most influential Catholic spiritual writer of the 20th century, spent the last period of his life trying to find points of common ground between Catholic mysticism and the mysticism of the East. Some might argue that Merton’s efforts were folly, but one cannot deny his influence.

Let's think of our own conversion to sow peace this Advent, Pope Francis says

December 10, 2018

VATICAN – Advent is a time for people to think about what they can change about themselves so that they can sow the seeds of peace, justice and fraternity in their daily lives, Pope Francis said.

Barefoot and Preaching: The Word made flesh dwells among us

December 10, 2018

Dwelling is a strange concept. It’s a place and it sounds like an action: the relevance to Advent is both.

New U.N. compact on migrants, stateless people an alternative to fear

December 10, 2018

A new international agreement that covers all dimensions of international migration that will be signed in Morocco, Dec. 10-11 represents the alternative to fear, says Canadian Jesuit Fr. Michael Czerny.

B.C. hairdresser trims away at poverty

December 10, 2018

VANCOUVER – “You will look like a new man!”

Sisters of Mercy help push Canadian mining giant to abandon operations

December 10, 2018

After years of lobbying by a small community of Catholic sisters from eastern Canada, the world’s largest producer of potash is abandoning mining operations in territory south of Morocco.

Vancouver archdiocese archives share photos of intrepid French-speaking Oblate

December 10, 2018

VANCOUVER – Fr. Raymond de Coccola, OMI had no idea how to ice fish, fire a gun or ride a dogsled when he arrived in a 1930s Inuit community in present-day Nunavut.

Catholics push for strong climate deal at U.N. summit in Poland

December 10, 2018

Catholic representatives worked to keep negotiations on track for a comprehensive deal to address global warming as the U.N. climate change conference entered its second and final week in Katowice, Poland.

December 11

U.S. Supreme Court wont hear appeals over defunding Planned Parenthood, pro-life leaders upset

December 11, 2018

WASHINGTON – Pro-life leaders said they were disappointed the U.S. Supreme Court declined Dec. 10 to hear appeals from Kansas and Louisiana on lower court rulings that have stopped the states from blocking Medicaid funds going to Planned Parenthood.