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July 2019

July 24

'World of faith under siege,' threats are growing

July 24, 2019

WASHINGTON -- The world is "filled with people in need," including the unborn, trafficking victims, those "suffering the agonies of addiction and abuse, people with disabilities and still others facing famine and disease, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey.

Bishops protest UK ‘hijacking’

July 24, 2019

MANCHESTER, England -- Four Irish bishops said abortion and same-sex marriage is about to be imposed on Northern Ireland after British politicians “hijacked” a bill intended for other purposes.

After new reports on German choir abuses, bishop vows to boost prevention

July 24, 2019

WARSAW, Poland -- A German bishop has vowed to intensify "preventive measures" after two church-sponsored reports confirmed systemic violence and abuse at his diocese's cathedral schools between 1945 and 1995, including 30 years when their famous choir was run by Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, brother of retired Pope Benedict XVI.

Making a new start at summer camp

July 24, 2019

Maria Pham has been going to summer camp with St. Thomas Thiện’s chapter of the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement for 11 years, but she couldn’t help feeling a little like a rookie this year.

Speaking Out: Stayed tuned to world around you

July 24, 2019

When school let out in June, all my teachers could talk about was, “Don’t waste your summer” and “keep up with the world around you.” But the most notable thing I heard on the final day of class came from a friend. “It sucks, but the sucky things in life don’t stop just because we’re out (of school).”

Salt + Light TV sets stage for a new chapter

July 24, 2019

For the first time in its 16-year existence, Salt + Light TV will be launching its fall season without the guiding hand of Fr. Thomas Rosica.

Peter Stockland: Abortion battle cloaked in defeat

July 24, 2019

Belfast, Northern Ireland -- In the mid-19th century, St. Malachy’s Church on Alfred Street added to its existing structure the largest bell in a city full of Catholic churches and Protestant houses of worship.

Polish bishop criticizes anti-LGBT protesters

July 24, 2019

WARSAW, Poland -- A Polish archbishop has condemned attacks on a gay pride rally by protesters claiming to be defending his cathedral.

July 25

Youth taking the lead on reconciliation

July 25, 2019

Nearly three-quarters of Indigenous youth in Canada believe they will see meaningful reconciliation in their lifetime, an online poll has revealed.

Pope Francis appoints Brazilian as vice director for Vatican press office

July 25, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis appointed Cristiane Murray, a Brazilian journalist with Vatican Radio-Vatican News, to serve as vice director of the Vatican press office.

Puerto Rican governor resigns amid massive protests

July 25, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- After nearly two weeks of massive protests in the fallout of scandals involving corruption and offensive private messages, Gov. Ricardo Rossello of Puerto Rico resigned from office, becoming the first governor to do so in the island's history.

Synergy, cooperation at heart of Vatican media reform

July 25, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- With the recent appointments of Matteo Bruni as the new director of the Holy See Press Office and Cristiane Murray as vice director, the Vatican is taking another step forward in its continuing efforts to reform its communication structures.

Sisters’ graves moving

July 25, 2019

The graves of some 300 School Sisters of Notre Dame in a cemetery on the order’s Watertown, Ont., convent property are expected to be moved to a Burlington Catholic cemetery in the near future as the sisters look to sell their long-time home.

Pilgrims find healing, renewal in the waters of Alberta's Lac Ste. Anne

July 25, 2019

LAC STE. ANNE, Alberta -- As she battled the aching pains of stage 4 intestinal cancer, Evelyn Mercredi slowly lifted herself from her walker and stepped into the waters of Lac Ste. Anne expecting -- and receiving -- healing.

Bob Brehl: Devil is in the details for civil discourse

July 25, 2019

At a recent barbeque, I was telling a long-time friend about a Colombian bishop who planned to exorcise his crime-ridden city of demons by dropping holy water from a helicopter.

Irish parish shares in Lowry’s Open win

July 25, 2019

CLARA, Ireland -- After Mass-goers’ prayers for golfer Shane Lowry were answered, there was “tremendous excitement” in his rural parish, said Fr. Joe Deegan, the local priest.

Editorial: Setting an example

July 25, 2019

A Vatican decision to ban single-use plastics won’t by itself empty landfills or save the planet’s oceans, but it sends a message the world needs to hear.

Readers Speak Out: July 28, 2019

July 25, 2019

Un-Canadian uniform In May our Knights of Columbus assembly held its last meeting of the 2018-19 Columbian year. Among the discussions, the most important one concerned the new Fourth Degree regalia.

July 26

Podcast peels back the ‘feminine genius’

July 26, 2019

Growing up, Rachel Wong had this image of what a Catholic woman looked like. A Catholic woman has a quiet and demure strength. She is sensitive, soft-spoken and wears a lace veil to church. Maybe she’s a homemaker, maybe she has her own career, but the Catholic woman Wong had in her mind was also a one-dimensional stereotype.

Catholic leaders object to reinstatement of federal death penalty

July 26, 2019

WASHINGTON -- The July 25 announcement by the Justice Department that it is reinstating the federal death penalty for the first time in 16 years was unwelcome news for Catholic leaders who have advocated against capital punishment.