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May 2020

May 27

Prayer is powerful, life-giving, Pope Francis says

May 27, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Prayer is powerful not because it changes God or God's plans, but because it changes individuals and communities, one heart at a time, Pope Francis said.

Trump pushes to open houses of worship

May 27, 2020

WASHINGTON -- Saying America needs “more prayer, not less,” President Donald Trump has declared houses of worship “essential” and directed the country’s governors “to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, this weekend.”

Fr. Morrisey a leading light in canon law

May 27, 2020

One of the greatest canon law scholars in Canadian history has died. Fr. Frank Morrisey of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, canon law professor, consultant to bishops and religious orders around the world, died May 23 in Ottawa at the age of 84.

Speaking Out: Seeking spring rejuvenation

May 27, 2020

Spring in northwestern Ontario arrived late this year, with new leaves not even open at the Victoria Day long weekend. Despite this, there are many signs that spring is persevering. I began a small garden plot in a tree-sheltered nook in our yard, and I’m planning to plant wildflowers and other floral specimens later.

Churches have key role in educating millennials

May 27, 2020

In a world offering Canadian youth an abundance of choice, it’s up to religious institutions to help the future leaders of society characterize what constitutes a great choice, says sociologist Joel Thiessen.

Charles Lewis: Looking to faith on the road of suffering

May 27, 2020

I am aware I write a lot about my pain. There is a good reason. Pain, specifically spinal pain, has been the dominant force in my life for nine years. It is what I wake up to every morning, it is what I carry around during the day and it is the last thing I feel before falling asleep … and it is what wakes me up through the night when pain is more acute.

May 28

Church on frontline of pandemic

May 28, 2020

In the poorer corners of the globe — in refugee camps, slums and Indigenous communities — the Church is emerging as a critical line of defence against COVID-19.

Vatican orders Italian founder of ecumenical community to leave

May 28, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican has ordered Enzo Bianchi, the 77-year-old founder and former prior of the ecumenical Monastery of Bose, to leave the community following an apostolic visitation to clarify leadership within the group.

Editorial: Fairness counts

May 28, 2020

As the world begins to stir from its pandemic hibernation, governments face the important question of how to accommodate houses of worship. At least, we hope they realize the question is important.

Readers Speak Out: May 31, 2020

May 28, 2020

Smear campaign Re: Don’t Judge Pius XII yet, expert warns (May 10): If ever there was a smear campaign, the one against Pope Pius XII is one for the history books. Having studied his pontificate, I am convinced that the campaign against him has done considerable damage against a man who was acclaimed in the late 1940s-early ’50s by so many Jews, including the Jewish State of Israel, as a hero for all he did during the Second World War.

Timely musical message on mental health

May 28, 2020

Most people have experienced that annoying friend who no matter how you try to shake them, they just won’t go away.

Harry McAvoy: Prayers are like ‘cash in the pocket’

May 28, 2020

COVID-19 threw an interesting twist into a recent visit with the memory specialist. I was advised by e-mail my appointment would be conducted via video e-consult. I looked at the Bride and wondered, “What is e-consult?” The next morning we were staring into our laptop where the specialist appeared.

May 29

Rain, flooding compound problems for state in eastern India

May 29, 2020

GUWAHATI, India -- Incessant rain and floods have forced hundreds of thousands of people to move to safer places in eastern India's Assam state, adding to the misery brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and a mid-May cyclone.

Vatican Museums, archive, library prepare to reopen

May 29, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican Museums, Vatican Apostolic Archives and Vatican Library will reopen June 1, almost three months after being closed as part of the lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

‘Just Recovery’ looking past the pandemic

May 29, 2020

OTTAWA -- More than 150 organizations, including Catholic and other religious groups, have united to support six “Principles for a Just Recovery” which they hope will influence what Canada will look like after COVID-19.

Vatican official says anti-religious bias was evident during lockdown

May 29, 2020

VIENNA -- As people spent more time online during the coronavirus lockdown, negative remarks and even the incitement of hatred based on national, cultural or religious identity increased, a Vatican representative said.

Peter Stockland: Standing up for life a risky business

May 29, 2020

The Sunday New York Times full front-page listing of 1,000 names from among the nearly 100,000 who’ve died of COVID-19 was a bold, imaginative, powerful journalistic gesture.

May 30

The new seminary this Fall

May 30, 2020

Canada’s seminaries have survived the spring onslaught of COVID-19, but they’re looking across the wide expanse of summer holidays and wondering what the future holds.

Broadcasts ‘a port in the storm’

May 30, 2020

The ratings for the Daily TV Mass are sure to decline in the near future, and Deacon Michael Walsh is OK with that.

Summer camps another COVID casualty

May 30, 2020

Discussions on how Camp Vincent would operate as this year of pandemic turned into summer became a moot point once the province of Ontario took the decision out of operators’ hands.