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April 2020

April 3

Quebec dioceses start temporary layoffs

April 3, 2020

QUEBEC CITY -- As the Quebec government tightens measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and allows only essential services, the Catholic dioceses of the province have started temporary layoffs affecting hundreds of Catholic employees and priests.

Cardinal Collins adds children’s online chat to Holy Week schedule

April 3, 2020

Cardinal Thomas Collins will participate in a live online interaction with parents and children as part of extensive Holy Week and Easter activities and services announced by the Archdiocese of Toronto.

April 4

Groups call for emergency benefits to help non-citizens

April 4, 2020

OTTAWA -- Francisco Rico-Martinez knows that many of the people he helps at a Toronto refugee centre are worried about how they and their families could be impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis.

Retreats offer a helping hand in crisis

April 4, 2020

The sign on the door may read “Closed until further notice” at Loyola House Ignatius Jesuit Centre and other retreat centres around the country, but that doesn’t mean spiritual life needs to take a break.

Aid programs a model for basic income

April 4, 2020

Many of the financial measures being rolled out by governments to help people weather the COVID-19 storm would be unnecessary if Canada had a basic income policy, say basic income advocates.

Bishop set a powerful example

April 4, 2020

Priests have not been spared from being infected — and dying — as COVID-19 sweeps the world.

Peter Stockland: Serving up a hearty helping of faith

April 4, 2020

In his recent letter to Register readers, Publisher-Editor Jim O’Leary reminded us all that “the need has seldom been greater for us to unite spiritually as communities of faith.”

April 5

God's Word on Sunday: A hurting world needs this good news

April 5, 2020

Resurrection of the Lord, April 12 (Year A) Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18 When is good news truly good news? When it comes at the right time, giving people hope and comfort.

Daily TV Mass seeing spike in viewers

April 5, 2020

Viewership has skyrocketed, appreciative comments are flowing in from around the world and the phone is ringing constantly in the Markham, Ont., offices of the National Catholic Broadcasting Council. It certainly isn’t business as usual.

Crisis brings home lesson of solidarity

April 5, 2020

As a young aid worker, Christian Champigny spent weeks confined to his house in poor countries while war and revolution raged in the streets outside.

April 6

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday: Life is meant to serve others

April 6, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- With a small procession down the vast and empty central nave of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis began the first of a series of Holy Week liturgies celebrated without the presence of the faithful from the general public.

Shroud of Turin to be displayed on livestream for Holy Saturday

April 6, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- With people forced to stay home, even during Holy Week, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the archbishop of Turin has announced a special online exposition of the Shroud of Turin, which many believe is the burial cloth of Jesus.

COVID-19 does what war couldn't: close churches in Syria

April 6, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Cardinal Mario Zenari, the nuncio to Syria, said he is raising special prayers these days to Sts. Cosmas and Damian, fourth-century physicians who offered free care for the sick in Syria.

Humboldt honours victims of Broncos’ bus crash

April 6, 2020

The church bells of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Humboldt, Sask., are to chime 29 times at 4:50 p.m. (CST) April 6 to remember the 16 who died and 13 others injured two years ago when the Humboldt Broncos’ team bus collided with a semi-trailer near Tisdale in northern Saskatchewan.

Cardinal Pell gives statement after conviction overturned

April 6, 2020

(CNA) -- After his conviction for child sexual abuse was overturned Tuesday by Australia’s High Court, Cardinal George Pell has released a statement expressing gratitude to his family, friends, and legal team, and noting that he does not bear resentment toward his accuser.

Cardinal Pell released from prison after court overturns conviction

April 6, 2020

VALLA BEACH, Australia -- Cardinal George Pell has been released from prison after 405 days behind bars after the seven judges of the High Court of Australia unanimously overturned the original December 2018 jury verdict that found him guilty on five counts of molesting two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996.

April 8

Pandemic is prime time for conversion, Pope Francis says in interview

April 8, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The COVID-19 quarantines, lockdowns and stay-at-home orders are the perfect opportunity for conversion: for individuals, for the church and for governments, Pope Francis said in an interview.

Priest refuses to leave prison ministry

April 8, 2020

With the federal prison system shutting down all visits, a Catholic priest has volunteered to be incarcerated rather than leave inmates without spiritual care.

Crisis sparks increase in family violence

April 8, 2020

There’s a global public health risk that could tear families apart and harm women and children — not COVID-19 itself, but a related fallout from shutting families indoors and depriving them of jobs and school.

Pope Francis sets up commission to study women deacons

April 8, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has established a new "Study Commission on the Female Diaconate" as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian communities.