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December 2019

December 15

St. Paul University unveils centre to tackle abuse

December 15, 2019

OTTAWA -- The abuse started when Veronique Garnier was just 13 years old. She was abused by her parish priest, who was also a family friend.

December 16

Old age is time of grace, Pope Francis tells elderly peers

December 16, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers -- although many were a few years younger -- and told them that "old age is a time of grace."

Pope Francis blesses infant Jesus statues at Angelus audience

December 16, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis blessed hundreds of figurines of the baby Jesus -- ranging from tiny plastic figures to life-sized statues -- and encouraged children to make sure they have Nativity scenes at home.

December 17

Pope Francis lifts secrecy obligation for those reporting abuse

December 17, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of nuncio to France accused of misconduct

December 17, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the nuncio to France, who has been under investigation for sexual misconduct in France and in Canada.

December 18

Pope Francis appoints Toronto Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick to Antigonish

December 18, 2019

TORONTO -- Toronto Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick has been named by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Antigonish, N.S.

Pray before a Nativity Scene, Pope Francis suggests

December 18, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Putting up a Nativity scene before Christmas is a reminder to stop and remember what Christmas is really about and to prepare one's heart like a manger for the coming of Christ, Pope Francis said.

Fr. Raymond de Souza: ‘New Mass’ at 50: A face-to-face issue

December 18, 2019

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA -- This Advent marks the 50 anniversary of the liturgical reform — the “novus ordo” or “new order” of Mass — after the Second Vatican Council.

Editorial: Christmas prayers

December 18, 2019

With good reason, Canadians generally take it for granted that Christmas is a season of peace and goodwill. We are blessed to live in a country that slows down to let the joy of the season wash over us.

Readers Speak Out: December 22, 2019

December 18, 2019

No more abuse The reports on abuse in the Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 issues left people wondering if there is nothing else worth reporting on than repeating the same issues in a Catholic newspaper.

Anglican Bishop, former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, to become Catholic

December 18, 2019

SHREWSBURY, England -- A former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II is to be received into the Catholic Church.

The world of creche

December 18, 2019

It’s amazing how far a small, one-off special creche exhibit has come over the past two decades at St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto.

Christmas Drawing Contest 2019 winners

December 18, 2019

When The Catholic Register launched its annual children’s Christmas contest in 2011 there was some concern about receiving enough entries to make it a real competition. Nine contests and thousands of entries later, it’s obvious those worries were unfounded.

Speaking Out: Traditions come in many forms

December 18, 2019

Going through grade school, Christmas was always my favourite time of the year.

Catholic students break new ground at university

December 18, 2019

EDMONTON -- University is a time of major life changes.

Edmonton goes digital for Nativity scene

December 18, 2019

EDMONTON -- A new Nativity scene at Edmonton City Hall has taken the centuries-old Christmas tradition into the realm of computer-generated virtual reality.

December 19

Good Shepherd hosts Christmas family feast

December 19, 2019

HAMILTON, Ont. -- At 9 a.m. Sunday morning, Dec. 15, Jen Edmonds was one of 800 volunteers contributing to the complex task of welcoming over 2,000 people to the Hamilton Convention Centre for a formal, sit-down Christmas dinner, a visit with Santa, gifts for every child, coats and mittens for those who need them.

N. Ireland bishops ask for waiting period in new abortion law

December 19, 2019

MANCHESTER, England -- The Catholic bishops of Northern Ireland have asked the U.K. government to include a mandatory waiting period for women who request abortions under a new law.

‘Heartening and inspiring’

December 19, 2019

It was a leap of faith for the Diocese of Hamilton.

From Burlington to Haiti, a ray of Hope

December 19, 2019

BURLINGTON, Ont. -- Before Joanna Baumgartner showed up, some children in the Amor et Gratia (Love and Grace) school in Ouanaminthe, Haiti had to make their own fun. An empty motor oil can tied to a string served as a toy car.