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December 2019

December 22

Leaders given failing grade on climate

December 22, 2019

Despite months of protests from youth climate activists around the world, leaders at a global climate summit in Madrid have kicked the can of climate change down the road until the next UN-sponsored negotiations in 11 months.

Jesus’ birthday is a hit

December 22, 2019

Over 100 families celebrated Jesus’ birthday just a little early at the annual Daughters of St. Paul Baby Jesus Party on Dec. 7.

Robert Kinghorn: A Christmas carol for our times

December 22, 2019

I’m sitting in the shadow of a Christmas tree weighed down with lights and finery, while a stuffed teddy bear with a beguiling smile sits patiently at the base watching me through button eyes. It could be one of countless Christmas trees anywhere in the world, but this one holds special meaning for myself and the young lady sitting next to me.

December 23

Pope Francis sets term of office for dean of College of Cardinals

December 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- After accepting the resignation of 92-year-old Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis changed the norms of the office so that the dean would be elected to a five-year term renewable only once.

'Christendom no longer exists,' Pope Francis says, explaining revamp to Curia

December 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The ongoing reform of the Roman Curia is a necessary part of the Catholic Church's fidelity to its mission to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing that very few countries today can be described as "Christian" and that new ways of evangelizing are necessary, Pope Francis said.

Legionaries report 'chain of abuse' as victims went on to abuse others

December 23, 2019

ROME -- Demonstrating a strong "chain of abuse," the Legionaries of Christ said its founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, sexually abused at least 60 minors and that at least another 51 youngsters were abused by Father Maciel's victims or victims of his victims.

December 24

Funding gives renters a break

December 24, 2019

A pledge to spend $1.4 billion helping people find shelter in an increasingly unaffordable housing market in Ontario has Catholic social agencies cautiously optimistic.

Glen Argan: Hope is best weapon to help save planet

December 24, 2019

Greta Thunberg has been named by Time magazine as its person of the year because of the global attitudinal shift towards climate change the magazine says she has created.

Christmas says, 'You are loved,' Pope Francis says at Midnight Mass

December 24, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Christmas night tells each person, no matter how poor or sinful, that they are utterly and totally loved by God, Pope Francis said as he celebrated Jesus' birth.

December 25

Urbi et Orbi: May Christ soften hard hearts to bring peace

December 25, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The light of peace, hope and salvation brought into the world with the birth of Jesus is stronger than the darkness of war and despair, but spreading that light requires the cooperation of every person of good will, Pope Francis said in his Christmas address.

December 26

Mary Marrocco: Magi mapped out route worth following

December 26, 2019

On a visit with my mother, who is bedridden now, diminished in sight and hearing as well as mental and physical mobility, we were not getting through to each other. She couldn’t understand me, and I couldn’t understand her. Each of us wanted to break through into the other’s world, but were prevented by intractable walls we couldn’t see, like glass, hard and smooth. She cried aloud to God for help.

Editorial: Event of the decade

December 26, 2019

From a Catholic perspective, few if any dates were more significant during the soon-to-close decade than Feb.11, 2013.

Readers Speak Out: December 29, 2019

December 26, 2019

Entirely? Not really Re: Dialogue continues on path of co-operation (Dec. 1): The article states: “By 1763 King Louis XV had no choice but to cede France’s North American possessions entirely to England’s King George III.”

New year bringing big changes in Ottawa

December 26, 2019

OTTAWA -- The merger of the Catholic Church in eastern Ontario that would create one large archdiocese stretching from Ottawa south to the St. Lawrence River is about to become reality.

Speaking Out: Goodbye 2019 ... hello 2020

December 26, 2019

The year is about to end and as we begin to sit down and think about our New Year’s resolution we can recall and reflect over the events of the past year to help guide us along.

December 27

Releasing list ‘the right thing to do’

December 27, 2019

OTTAWA -- The decision by the Jesuits of Canada to release a list of priests “credibly accused” of abuse of minors is a step in the right direction, but an honest accounting of the extent of child abuse will take a lot more work, said the president of an abuse survivor group.

Bob Brehl: The social times have been a-changin’

December 27, 2019

When told this issue of The Register would be dedicated to not only a year in review, but a decade in review, the idea immediately intrigued me.

December 28

New start in historic year

December 28, 2019

For the nearly 6,000 children a year who find refuge and a new start with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, the fact the organization has a 125-year history probably doesn’t matter much.

Leah Perrault: God comes as He is to the world as we are

December 28, 2019

I have been thinking a lot over the last couple of years about how God comes to us. In tragedy and grief, in deep joy and hope, in confusion and in waiting. In all these places, I am deeply convinced that He comes. Still, I often struggle to recognize Him.

December 29

Speaking Out: Plenty of time for resolutions

December 29, 2019

January 1 is right around the corner — to some, that means New Year’s Day. A time for clean slates, a fresh start and all the goal-setting. To the Catholic man or woman, it’s all that and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.