September 2019

Academics tackling some ‘evil’ trends

September 20, 2019

OTTAWA -- Catholic academics from across North America will gather in Montreal Sept. 27-29 to examine how Catholics can navigate a society that increasingly pushes them to the margins.

Week of Sep 20, 2019

September 20, 2019

German bishops say 'synodal way' is response to abuse scandal

September 20, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The bishops of Germany, reacting to an independent study of the extent of clerical sexual abuse in their country and its possible causes, chose to initiate a "synodal" process that was not a synod or a plenary council.

Extraordinary defendant ... extraordinary court case

September 20, 2019

VANCOUVER -- Maybe you have been to court before. I have not. In nearly seven years of Catholic journalism, I’ve spent time at press conferences outside of courtrooms, but not in them.

Common good requires culture of care, Pope Francis tells doctors

September 20, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- With so many changes and huge technological advancements in the field of medicine, health care must always be at the service of the whole individual, including a supportive relationship between patient and medical professionals, Pope Francis said.

'Unplanned' movie given an encore performance

September 20, 2019

VANCOUVER -- The pro-life film Unplanned is returning to Vancouver, only this time it will be shown in the grand setting of the 2,600-seat Orpheum Theatre.

Luke Stocking: Institutions play critical role for Church

September 20, 2019

Some questions for the average Catholic in the pews: Do you know what the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is? How about the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops? Have you ever heard of the Social Affairs Commission of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario?

Jesuits call for action on Nicaragua

September 20, 2019

SANTIAGO, Chile -- The Society of Jesus has urged Latin American countries -- working "through international diplomacy" -- to "take all the necessary measures to rescue democracy in Nicaragua and hold the current regime responsible for the crimes it has committed."

Dominican sisters generate their own electricity

September 21, 2019

VANCOUVER -- When you spend hours in prayer kneeling on sustainably sourced pews and looking out a floor-to-ceiling view of the Garibaldi Highlands, it’s hard not to care about your environment.

New school to feature child care

September 21, 2019

There will be some much younger faces within the walls of St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School in Whitby after its re-build is complete.

Grand re-opening was … well, grand

September 21, 2019

When Fr. Maurice Restivo looked out upon a packed congregation — about double Our Lady of Assumption Church’s capacity — he knew the historic parish was back.

Carl Hetu: Despair not an option in the Middle East

September 21, 2019

On July 7, 2018, in Bari, Italy, at an important ecumenical gathering of all Christian leaders from the Middle East, Pope Francis made a jarring reference to a Middle East without Christians.

Diocese of Antigonish celebrates 175 years

September 22, 2019

HALIFAX -- The town of Antigonish and its majestic St. Ninian’s Cathedral has long cast a significant shadow over much of northeastern Nova Scotia.

Chaplain sending out the right signals

September 22, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS -- As the Catholic chaplain for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, Fr. Douglas Hunter has access to the training facility, the team meetings and the sidelines during games. He’s even there in the locker room when head coach Frank Reich talks to the players, including the times the Colts’ leader has shared this constant message: “Get one per cent better every day.”

God's Word on Sunday: The well-being of people not negotiable

September 22, 2019

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 29 (Year C) Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 It is said that a society or nation can be judged morally and spiritually by what it does to the weakest and most vulnerable. One could also add what it allows or tolerates being done to them.

Belief in aliens not so far out for some Catholics

September 22, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- More than two million people RSVP’d to a recent social media invitation to “storm” Area 51 in Nevada, in the hope of discovering whether alien life or spacecraft may be secretly stored at this U.S. Air Force base.

Wealth can help instead of dividing, Pope Francis says

September 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Jesus calls on Christians to transform their wealth into a tool of brotherhood and solidarity instead of a corrupt means to divide and discriminate, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis: Proclaiming God does not mean justifying His existence

September 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The Catholic Church must not become a distant memory for men and women today but must be a welcoming place where everyone feels at home, Pope Francis said.

Vatican releases list of participants for Amazon synod

September 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston and the other members of his international Council of Cardinals to be voting members of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.

'Tell the truth at all costs,' Pope Francis enjoins journalists

September 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Catholic journalists need to be able to distinguish good from evil and recognize how their words can shape the world, not just describe what has happened, Pope Francis said.