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March 14, 2020
MONTREAL -- The Canadian bishops’ standing committee for the Responsible Ministry and Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons met for the first time in January, but the fact that the identities of the majority of its members is kept secret irritates victims, who see a lack of transparency.
The Archdiocese of Toronto has launched a non-partisan initiative to empower parishioners in their engagements with civic leaders and to help them become active in the public square.
Ontario’s new five-year, $307-million strategy to combat human trafficking “looks really great on paper,” said Catholic Women’s League Ontario president Colleen Perry.
It’s been a turbulent few months. Crowds blocking rail lines, protesters waving placards and RCMP officers barricading land are some of the dramatic images of discontent across Canada.
March 15, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 22 (Year A) 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7,10-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Do not judge by outward appearances! We would save ourselves a lot of grief if we would only heed these instructions from God to Samuel. It has been repeated by Jesus in the Gospel of John and many spiritual writers since then.
Last year I attended an incredible spiritual retreat in Trosly-Breuil, France, the birthplace of the first L’Arche community.
VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican office that distributes free tickets to papal events has posted a notice on its website that "the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful."
Instead of going all in on expanding assisted suicide, Canada should have the full discussion that was promised when legislation was forced upon the country by the Supreme Court five years ago, said filmmaker Kevin Dunn.
Do you know that St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is not only the patron saint of the universal Church but also the principal patron saint of Canada?
March 16, 2020
ROME -- A number of priests and religious women have been among the nearly 2,000 people who have died in Italy because of illness connected with COVID-19.
VATICAN CITY -- Standing in the window of the library of the Apostolic Palace overlooking an empty St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis blessed the city of Rome still under lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
ROME -- With Italy on lockdown and Rome streets almost deserted, Pope Francis left the Vatican March 15 in a mini-pilgrimage to an icon and to a crucifix associated with miraculous interventions to save the city and its people.
ROME -- About half of the U.S. seminarians and priests living at the Pontifical North American College and the Casa Santa Maria in Rome have left the locked-down city, the rector said.
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis updated the laws that govern the Vatican judicial system in an effort to establish greater transparency and independence, particularly in financial and criminal matters.
MONTREAL -- The bishops of Quebec have taken the unprecedented step of suspending all celebrations and events in churches across the province.
March 17, 2020
LYON, France -- A former French priest was sentenced to jail for five years for sexual assaults against Scouts.
Faith communities across Canada are answering a call to make sacrifices to their faith practices in the national battle to control the spread of the COVID-19.
March 18, 2020
Canada's largest diocese has implemented sweeping new cancellations and suspensions after a state of emergency was declared in Ontario due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A year ago, I decided to take on a position at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto as a part-time sacristan. I knew this role would present new priorities, but while on the job I aimed to maintain my involvement in youth ministry at my home parish, Vietnamese Martyrs, to the best of my abilities. At that time, I was a Grade 12 student, completing high school.
Making an impact in the world doesn’t have to be an accomplishment reserved for the later years of life. At 16, Haana Edenshaw has already made considerable strides towards raising environmental awareness and protecting her land.