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February 2019

February 26

Nuns hope more women at summit sets standard for future Vatican meetings

February 26, 2019

ROME – The Catholic sisters who took part in Pope Francis' summit on clergy sexual abuse say they hope the presence of a dozen women at the gathering sets a standard for a growing presence of women at Vatican meetings of bishops.

Cardinal Pell convicted on five counts of sex abuse; verdict will be appealed

February 26, 2019

MELBOURNE, Australia – An Australian court found Cardinal George Pell guilty on five charges related to the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old boys; sentencing is expected in early March, but the cardinal's lawyer already has announced plans to appeal the conviction.

Pope Francis will visit school for imams, migrant centre in Morocco

February 26, 2019

VATICAN – Pope Francis will travel to Morocco March 30-31 as a "servant of hope" to encourage the country's small Catholic community, the migrants hosted there and all people of goodwill, said Archbishop Cristobal Lopez Romero of Rabat, the nation's capital.

Measure to protect babies are born alive after botched abortion fails in U.S. Senate

February 26, 2019

WASHINGTON – The Senate in an evening vote Feb. 25 failed to pass a measure sponsored by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, to require that babies born alive after an abortion be given medical attention and "the same protection of law as any newborn."

February 27

Amazon synod to focus on climate change, not married priests, Peruvian cardinal says

February 27, 2019

VATICAN CITY – The issue of married priests is something for the universal Catholic Church to discuss and is not the focus of the upcoming Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, said Peruvian Cardinal Pedro Barreto Jimeno of Huancayo.

Vatican embassy confirms sexual misconduct complaint against Canada's former nuncio

February 27, 2019

QUEBEC – The apostolic nunciature in Ottawa, Ontario, confirmed Feb. 26 that it received a first complaint of sexual misconduct concerning Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the Vatican's ambassador to Canada from 2001 to 2009.

Vatican announces canonical investigation of Cardinal Pell

February 27, 2019

VATICAN – The day Australian Cardinal George Pell was jailed in Melbourne after being found guilty of child sexual abuse, the Vatican announced his case would be investigated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Priests who father children need speedy process to leave priesthood, Vatican cardinal says

February 27, 2019

VATICAN – When the Vatican Congregation for Clergy developed guidelines a decade ago for handling cases of priests who father children, the first objective was to make it easier for those men to leave the priesthood to care for their children and be real dads, said the prefect of the congregation.

God's holiness is a force; 'evil's days are numbered,' Pope says

February 27, 2019

VATICAN – The holiness of God is a power that is constantly expanding and will defeat all evil once and for all, Pope Francis said.

Team effort is needed for change in abuse crisis, says Bishop Gendron

February 27, 2019

OTTAWA – The Canadian bishop who participated in the Vatican abuse summit believes the unprecedented gathering of Church leaders is a “sign of hope” that the Church is finally coming to grips with the worldwide problem of sexual crimes against minors.

Exodus 90 offers ‘worldly’ challenge

February 27, 2019

No social media. No alcohol. No sweets. No hot showers. No secular music.

February 28

God's wrath is just as great as his mercy, Pope says

February 28, 2019

VATICAN – Christians must not take advantage of God's forgiveness -- selfishly repeating sin after sin -- because God's wrath for those who refuse to change their ways is just as great as his mercy, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.

Canadian aid gives new life to villagers hit by typhoon in the Philippines

February 28, 2019

Six years after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), the people of Tacloban, Philippines, are starting a new life thanks to Development and Peace - Caritas Canada.

Pope Francis encourages joint community service by rabbis, parish priests

February 28, 2019

VATICAN – The fruitful friendship and dialogue between Jews and Christians must go beyond the world of experts and academia, Pope Francis said.

St. Joseph’s College in Edmonton looks to stand out in crowd

February 28, 2019

EDMONTON – As St. Joseph’s College in Edmonton looks to the future, a top priority is emerging.

New interfaith program at St. Mike's reflects Toronto's changing face

February 28, 2019

A new program leading to a diploma from the University of St. Michael’s College is all about education with a purpose, St. Mike’s dean of theology James Ginther told The Catholic Register.

Former missionary sees vision come to life with Centre Oblat at Saint Paul campus

February 28, 2019

OTTAWA – Br. Leonardo Rego saw his vision come to life when the Centre Oblat — A Voice for Justice officially opened at Saint Paul University on Feb. 15.

Northern classroom opens a new world in Saskatchewan

February 28, 2019

King’s University College has a long history of educating its students about the wider world, but sometimes forgot about the country surrounding the small campus in London, Ont.

St. Mary’s University mixes Catholic studies and social justice in new program

February 28, 2019

For Caroline Burns, the search is over. She has finally found a university program that will instruct her Catholic faith and provide a degree in a field of interest.

St. Augustine course bridges historic gap between Catholics and Protestants

February 28, 2019

VANCOUVER – Catholic and Protestant scholars at the University of British Columbia are finding ways to actually use the Reformation to bring them closer together.