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April 2020

April 19

Retailers look for silver lining in tough times

April 19, 2020

Economic disruption due to COVID-19 has brought business to a near standstill for Catholic merchandise retailers across the Greater Toronto Area.

April 20

Now is time to build new world without inequality Pope Francis says

April 20, 2020

ROME -- As the world slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a risk it will be struck by an even worse virus -- that of selfish indifference, Pope Francis said.

Fears grow for health of refugees at a Rome settlement

April 20, 2020

ROME -- Dozens of refugees sheltering in an abandoned office building have tested positive for the coronavirus, triggering concerns for the welfare of the hundreds more still living there in crowded and unsanitary conditions.

Pope Francis postpones World Meeting of Families, World Youth Day

April 20, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has agreed with a recommendation by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life to postpone by one year the next gatherings of the World Meeting of Families and World Youth Day.

April 21

Two Antonian nuns die of COVID-19 in Quebec

April 21, 2020

MONTREAL -- Two Antonian nuns from Chicoutimi, a borough of Saguenay, have died of COVID-19.

A search for answers ... and healing

April 21, 2020

With at least 22 victim deaths from the largest mass shooting in Canadian history, the people of Nova Scotia are looking for answers, for hope and for healing.

April 22

Speaking Out: St. Joseph a guide for young love

April 22, 2020

As a young person, finding love can be extremely hard. While Catholics have historically turned to St. Joseph for help in this matter, this revered saint is perhaps overlooked by today’s young people for the guidance he can provide to those looking for their future spouse.

Crisis creates opportunity

April 22, 2020

CALGARY -- The Calgary-based charity Access52 was fully immersed in providing teens, parents and teachers from Catholic and public schools with live motivational events when the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the doors shut on its audience.

Bob Brehl: Grief manifests in a lockdown world

April 22, 2020

Throughout this pandemic lockdown, everyone must be going through a range of emotions at various times, from fear and anxiety to frustration and lethargy.

Creation is sacred gift deserving respect, Pope Francis says on Earth Day

April 22, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Humanity has failed to take care of the earth and its inhabitants, sinning against God and his gift of creation, Pope Francis said.

Franciscan University Steubenville to pay tuition costs for new students in fall

April 22, 2020

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- In response to the unprecedented economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Franciscan University of Steubenville announced it will cover the remainder of tuition costs, after scholarships and grants have been applied, for the fall 2020 semester for all incoming full-time undergraduate students enrolled in its on-campus programs.

East Jerusalem Catholic hospital gets coronavirus unit for Palestinians

April 22, 2020

JERUSALEM -- When the Israeli Ministry of Health asked St. Joseph's Hospital to set up a coronavirus unit, the hospital had it completed within a week.

April 23

Pope Francis donates respirators, medical equipment to hospitals

April 23, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- To mark his name day, the feast of St. George, Pope Francis gave the gift of medical supplies to several countries reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.

Editorial: A worthy idea

April 23, 2020

Among the lessons driven home by the COVID-19 crisis is that people and societies are morally bound to care for one another. This care is accomplished in many ways but one gaining wide attention, including encouragement from Pope Francis, is the potential merit of paying everyone a state-guaranteed income.

International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest postponed

April 23, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis, the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses and local organizers have agreed to postpone by one year the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, the Vatican announced April 23.

Readers Speak Out: April 26, 2020

April 23, 2020

Devil’s virus One of The Catholic Register’s youth writers suggested another name for the virus beast. But how about Devil’s Virus for one or, even better, Psalm19 for another.

Canada and U.S. to be consecrated to Mary in response to pandemic

April 23, 2020

The bishops of Canada and the U.S. will consecrate their nations to the Blessed Virgin Mary May 1 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glen Argan: The last thing we want is return to ‘normal’

April 23, 2020

The question on many minds is, “When will life return to normal?” That implies another question: What is normal?

Polish church warns of water shortages during pandemic

April 23, 2020

WARSAW, Poland -- Poland's Catholic bishops have urged nationwide prayers for rain, amid warnings huge areas of farmland could be ruined by drought during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jesuits prepared to be an online ‘friend’

April 23, 2020

Canada’s Jesuits are standing by, waiting for your call. A new “Talk to a Friend” service hopes to break through the social isolation of people dutifully staying at home to stop the spread of COVID-19.