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August 2019

August 19

Law and Justice Party leader praises Polish archbishop for LGBT opposition

August 19, 2019

Warsaw, Poland (CNA) -- The leader of Poland’s ruling party praised the Archbishop of Krakow on Sunday for his opposition to the redefinition of marriage and gender ideology in the country.

August 20

Planned Parenthood whistleblower awarded $3 million

August 20, 2019

PHOENIX, Ariz. (CNA) -- An Arizona court awarded a former Planned Parenthood clinic director $3 million in damages in a wrongful termination case, on Friday. Mayra Rodriguez claimed she was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about ethical and legal breaches at abortion facilities run by the group.

Church in Congo urges for aid from multinationals

August 20, 2019

KINSHASA, Congo -- Foreign companies working in mineral-rich Congo ought to contribute part of their profits to local development programs, said an official of the country's Catholic bishops' conference.

Pope Francis praises work of popular movements for social change

August 20, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Popular movements can spark the change needed to ensure a future that is no longer in the hands of elites and powerful people, but includes the poor who have the inalienable right to a life of dignity, Pope Francis said.

Catholics rally in prayer as satanic mass takes place in Ottawa

August 20, 2019

OTTAWA -- About 200 people, most clutching a rosary, held a prayer vigil as a black satanic mass occurred Aug. 17 at a heavy metal club in downtown Ottawa.

Pope Francis applauds launch of abuse investigation center in Chile

August 20, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- A specialized center at Chile's premier Catholic university can help the Catholic Church protect minors and vulnerable persons from the scourge of clerical sexual abuse, which has plagued the Catholic Church in the country and around the world, Pope Francis said.

Investigation begun into sainthood cause for Burundi martyrs

August 20, 2019

NAIROBI, Kenya -- The grisly murders of missionary priests and a local priest, a lay volunteer and 40 seminarians in Burundi are the focus of a recently opened investigation into their sainthood cause.

August 21

Bob Brehl: Lessons from nuns’ slave-owning past

August 21, 2019

Scores of Catholic nuns bought, sold and bartered enslaved people in 19th century America, The New York Times unveiled in a fascinating in-depth account written by New York University professor Rachel Swarns.

Conviction on abuse charges against Pell upheld by appeals court

August 21, 2019

MELBOURNE, Australia -- An Australian appeals court upheld the conviction of Cardinal George Pell on five counts of sexually assaulting two choirboys more than two decades ago.

St. Michael's College School moves to next stage

August 21, 2019

St. Michael’s College School is set to launch the next phase in its journey to change the culture at the Toronto all-boys’ school that led to a highly-publicized bullying scandal and the expulsion of and criminal charges laid against members of the school’s junior football team.

Christian refugee flees from more threats

August 21, 2019

A Pakistani Christian refugee in Thailand, begging for help from Canada, has had his family’s location revealed for the second time in a month.

Group evolves from prayer group to music ministry named iv24

August 21, 2019

The music produced by the band iv24 for young Catholics at high school retreats, young adult events and evenings of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament is more a by-product than anything else. The seven-member praise and worship band from Mississauga, Ont., didn’t start off trying to achieve close harmonies, infectious beats or uplifting melodies.

Autistic girl sparks a lesson in prayer

August 21, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis used the unexpected appearance of a young autistic girl at his weekly general audience to make a point about prayer and suffering.

Speaking Out: Pilgrimage is an expression of faith and culture

August 21, 2019

This summer has been the most unique and beautiful season I have experienced. My colleague and I lived in Wollaston Lake, Sask., a Dene reserve in northern Saskatchewan, working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and groups, connecting partners to nurture healing, empower youth and foster leadership through the Northern Bridge Community Partnership for the past two months.

Youth Church leaders attend forum in Rome

August 21, 2019

After four days of meetings in Rome with fellow youth leaders from around the world, Canada’s representatives returned with at least one overriding lesson: There’s a lot of work to do.

First came Alcatraz ... and Ireland is next

August 21, 2019

After taking the plunge in the cold waters of San Francisco Bay last year for Mary’s Meals, Liz Lambert has decided to brave the wet climate of Ireland this year to benefit almost 800 youth in Malawi.

Pro-life leaders work to block abortion bill in Australia

August 21, 2019

SYDNEY -- Thousands of pro-life supporters demonstrated in the streets of Sydney, expressing their opposition to a bill in the New South Wales state parliament that would permit abortion until birth for any reason.

August 22

Vatican 'acknowledges' court's dismissal of Pell's appeal

August 22, 2019

VATICAN CITY (CNA) -- The Vatican said Wednesday it acknowledges the decision by the Court of Appeals in Victoria to uphold the conviction of Cardinal George Pell, while recalling Pell’s insistence of his innocence throughout the judicial process.

Court decision on Pell case sparks divided opinions

August 22, 2019

MELBOURNE, Australia (CNA) -- The decision by the Court of Appeal in Victoria to reject Cardinal George Pell’s appeal of his conviction for child sex abuse Wednesday has divided opinion among court watchers, both Catholic and secular.

Euthanasia case raises alarms

August 22, 2019

OTTAWA -- The dismissal of a complaint against a doctor who euthanized a patient against the wishes of his Jewish long-term care home has alarmed religious freedom and anti-euthanasia advocates.