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June 2020

June 15

Eucharist heals, gives strength to serve others, Pope Francis says

June 15, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The Eucharist heals people of their wounds, emptiness and sadness, and gives them the strength to share Christ's loving mercy with others, Pope Francis said.

Church leaders urge COVID-19 vaccine development to be ethical

June 15, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera of Valencia made headlines when he described as a "work of the devil" attempts to find a COVID-19 vaccine using cell lines created from fetuses aborted voluntarily decades ago.

Vatican: Broker involved in London property deal released

June 15, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- An Italian broker who was arrested for his involvement in the questionable majority stake purchase of a property in London by the Vatican's Secretariat of State was granted a conditional release after 10 days in a Vatican jail cell.

June 16

USCCB president 'deeply concerned' about court's LGBT ruling

June 16, 2020

WASHINGTON -- The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said he is "deeply concerned" that by ruling federal law protects LGBT workers from discrimination, the U.S. Supreme Court "has effectively redefined the legal meaning of 'sex' in our nation's civil rights law."

June 17

Face to face ... finally

June 17, 2020

It won’t be a normal Sunday by any stretch of the imagination, but for priests across Ontario over the weekend of June 20-21 there will be a beautiful sight in front of them: a live congregation.

Teen to be beatified

June 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, will be beatified in October, the Diocese of Assisi announced.

Africans still seething after Floyd killing

June 17, 2020

ACCRA, Ghana -- Weeks after the death of George Floyd, the killing of the unarmed African American is still being condemned by African governments and organizations, with some describing it as an unjust murder.

Bob Brehl: Is politics hurting cause of social justice?

June 17, 2020

The other day at a neighbourhood “social distancing” soiree, while discussing the protest movement following the brutal killing of George Floyd by a bad cop in Minneapolis, I got lectured by a white women in her early 60s.

Speaking Out: Reflections on a year of turmoil

June 17, 2020

With so much going on around the world, I am feeling pretty overwhelmed.

Mission finds new ‘Light’

June 17, 2020

Computer screens and Zoom calls have become the new operation zone for the university student missionary organization Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO).

Court deals blow to Delta hospice

June 17, 2020

VANCOUVER -- The Delta Hospice Society is considering appealing a B.C. Supreme Court decision blocking its members from voting to change its constitution in an effort to keep assisted suicide out of the facility.

Editorial: It’s safety first

June 17, 2020

As Canadian churches continue to re-open, it would be wise to heed advice Pope Francis offered to Catholics everywhere.

Readers Speak Out: June 21, 2020

June 17, 2020

Lower class While being allowed to visit numerous vital places but not being allowed to come to the Catholic Church, the soul’s place, I have felt like a Canadian of lower class.

Cardinal welcomes back parishioners to Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral

June 17, 2020

“So good to see you.” And with those words, Cardinal Thomas Collins launched into the first Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica June 17 where he had a live congregation since the COVID-19 pandemic closed churches in the Toronto archdiocese and nationwide in mid-March.

Pope Francis: Christians called to intercede for, not condemn, others

June 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- True believers do not condemn people for their sins or shortcomings but intercede on their behalf with God through prayer, Pope Francis said.

June 18

Glen Argan: Admission of systemic racism only a start

June 18, 2020

It’s astonishing that, amidst massive protests across the United States against police racism, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had to sort through various definitions of systemic racism to determine whether it was endemic to Canada’s national police force. At first, she claimed the RCMP was free of systemic racism before doing an about-face and admitting that racism is indeed entrenched in the Mounties.

Indigenous feel racism’s sting in Canada

June 18, 2020

Deacon Michael James Robinson has a lifetime of experience that tells him systemic racism is real and it’s embedded in Canadian history and culture.

Cathy Majtenyi: Battling racism starts with looking in mirror

June 18, 2020

The horrifying death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer has sparked protests against police brutality and racism in the United States and worldwide.

Turkish bishops won't contest plan to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque

June 18, 2020

OXFORD, England -- Catholic bishops in Turkey pledged not to contest plans to turn Istanbul's ancient Hagia Sophia cathedral that now serves as a museum into a Muslim place of worship.

Fr. James Mallon: Now is time to seize the moment

June 18, 2020

“Even the priest and the prophet forage in a land they know not.” This is the New American Bible translation of Jeremiah 14:18, a line of Scripture that will be familiar to anyone in North America who prays the Liturgy of the Hours