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January 2019

January 12

God's Word on Sunday: Baptism is a commitment to continue God’s work

January 12, 2019

Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 13 (Year C) Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 104; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

January 13

Mother's prayers take fruit in new auxiliary bishop's life, conversion

January 13, 2019

OTTAWA – On Guy Desrochers’ 24th birthday, his mother gave him a Bible.

January 14

Rome government makes a wish: Trevi Fountain coins will no longer go to the poor

January 14, 2019

ROME – Most of the tourists who have tossed coins over their shoulder into Rome's Trevi Fountain over the past 20 years probably did not know that they were helping the city's poor.

Archbishop Vigano urges McCarrick to repent publicly to bring healing to 'suffering Church'

January 14, 2019

VATICAN – A former papal representative to the U.S. has written an open letter to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick that urges the archbishop to repent publicly of the sexual abuse and misconduct of which he stands accused.

Faith is a gift passed on at home, Pope tells parents at baptism

January 14, 2019

VATICAN – Faith isn't something learned just by studying the catechism but rather is a gift passed on to children by the example of their parents, Pope Francis said.

Fount of confusion: Rome mayor says Caritas will still get Trevi Fountain coins for the poor

January 14, 2019

ROME – After weeks of confusion and consternation, Rome's mayor told the Vatican newspaper that Rome Caritas would benefit not only from the coins tourists throw in the Trevi Fountain, but from coins tossed in any of the city's historic water features.

Justice is the central theme for Week of Prayer

January 14, 2019

Indonesian faith leaders didn’t have look far for inspiration in choosing the prayers for the 111th annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Venezuelan bishops say Maduro government a 'de facto regime', call for change

January 14, 2019

CARACAS, Venezuela – The Venezuelan bishops' conference has labeled the new government of Nicolas Maduro "illegitimate" and called for a "change in government."

Pope Francis discusses abuse crisis with Chilean bishops

January 14, 2019

VATICAN – Pope Francis spent nearly three hours with bishops from Chile discussing the sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the church in the country, a Chilean bishop said.

January 15

Questioning Faith: Pay attention to the yearning of the heart

January 15, 2019

Stopping for lunch en route to a big city, my companion remarked: “My grandmother grew up in this town. In those days, it was beautiful, a thriving and energetic community.”

Philippine president open to talks, despite comments against bishops, spokesman says

January 15, 2019

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is open to talking with church leaders, his spokesman said after the president called on people to kill and rob bishops.

Vancouver women put careers, school on hold to serve the poor for a year

January 15, 2019

VANCOUVER – Three Vancouver women have left career and school behind to serve the homeless.

Robert Brehl: Persecution hits close to home

January 15, 2019

Over the Christmas season, one story after another that I read or watched seemed to indicate Christianity is under siege around the world.

Glen Argan: Reform begins with an open conversation

January 15, 2019

Last week, I put on my detective’s hat to help a friend from out of town. Her father had lost contact with a close friend of his who lived in St. Albert, a suburb of Edmonton. Could I help my friend’s dad find his friend?

Pope Francis pushes sainthood causes for 17 women

January 15, 2019

VATICAN – Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of three women and recognized the martyrdom of 14 religious sisters who were killed during the Spanish Civil War.

Barefoot and Preaching: I’ll take the scenic route for my journey this year

January 15, 2019

Choosing is in the air. At the beginning of the year, the marketers are competing for our money, and gyms and diet programs are poised to pounce on the good intentions that follow Christmas feasts.

Peter Stockland: Irish should learn lesson from Canada

January 15, 2019

As predictably as rain falling in Dublin, Irish pro-abortion stalwarts are already agitating for so-called exclusion zones around health facilities where the life-ending procedure is performed.

Clerical abuse survivor wants Vatican summit to increase accountability

January 15, 2019

DUBLIN – A prominent survivor and advocate for those affected by clerical abuse has urged Pope Francis to publicly name bishops who have been found guilty of negligence by church tribunals.

Wuerl clarifies prior denials to McCarrick abuse, says he handled it appropriately

January 15, 2019

WASHINGTON – Cardinal Donald Wuerl told Washington, DC priests Saturday that he appropriately handled a 2004 allegation of misconduct against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. The cardinal also said that his recent denials of knowledge concerning McCarrick’s alleged misdeeds pertained only to the sexual abuse of minors.

January 16

Bishops see 'incomprehensible complexity' of Holy Land conflict during visit

January 16, 2019

JERUSALEM – Visiting with Christian communities in northern Israel and the northern Palestinian Territories has helped bishops participating in the annual Holy Land Coordination see "the great need" to promote an understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, said Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor, Ireland.