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August 2020

August 17

Pope Francis: Trust in God's compassion, tell him everything

August 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Those who take time to understand Jesus will find he loves them and wants what is best for them, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis extends Loreto jubilee to 2021

August 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Since many of the celebrations of the Our Lady of Loreto jubilee year were grounded because of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has extended the celebration to December 2021.

Thanking God for his gifts brings joy, Pope Francis says on Assumption feast day

August 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Taking time out each day to be thankful for God and his gifts will lead to greater joy and mark a great step forward for humanity, Pope Francis said.

Zimbabwe's bishops say government crackdown terrifies people

August 17, 2020

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- The Zimbabwean government's crackdown on dissent terrifies people, the country's bishops said in a pastoral letter that also noted alarming levels of corruption.

August 18

Cardinal Pell tells U.S. Catholics: 'We rely on you'

August 18, 2020

SYDNEY -- In an exclusive interview prerecorded and aired at a U.S. conference, Cardinal George Pell reminded his audience how important the church in the U.S. is for world Catholicism and Western civilization.

Church social worker shot dead in Philippines

August 18, 2020

MANILA, Philippines -- A human rights activist and church social worker was shot dead in the Philippines Aug. 17 in what colleagues say was most probably an extrajudicial killing carried out by state agents.

Petition calls to change name of Montreal metro station honouring priest

August 18, 2020

MONTREAL -- This summer, the memory of Father Lionel Groulx, a French Canadian historian, has been at the heart of a lively controversy regarding the name of a metro station.

August 19

Body of missing parishioner found in Detroit River; search continues for priest

August 19, 2020

GROSSE ILE, Mich. -- Authorities found the body of Robert Chiles, 52, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Trenton, late Aug. 18 after a search of the Detroit River where he and Father Stephen Rooney, St. Joseph's pastor, went missing Aug. 16 after their boat capsized.

August 20

Toronto priest removed from ministry

August 20, 2020

The Archdiocese of Toronto has removed from ministry a priest accused of abuse against a minor in the Archdiocese of New York dating back to the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Toledo diocesan priest on leave after arrest on sex trafficking charges

August 20, 2020

TOLEDO, Ohio -- A priest of the Diocese of Toledo is on administrative leave as he faces federal sex trafficking charges.

August 21

Normalization of relations between Israel, UAE can bring peace

August 21, 2020

WASHINGTON -- The normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates can be a step for peace in the Middle East, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace.

August 23

God's Word on Sunday: We cannot turn our back on God’s call for us

August 23, 2020

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 30 (Year A) Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27 Jeremiah, ever the reluctant prophet, was bitter, disillusioned and angry. He felt that he had been sold down the river by God. In fact, the Hebrew word that is translated as “enticed” has an even stronger connotation — seduction and force.

August 24

Charity is path to perfection when done for Jesus, Pope Francis says

August 24, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The central focus of a Christian's life and all he or she does to help others must be Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said.

Detroit priest's invalid baptism had ripple effect, archdiocese says

August 24, 2020

DETROIT -- The Archdiocese of Detroit is seeking to contact anyone who may have received invalid sacraments after a priest of the archdiocese learned his own baptism as an infant 30 years ago was invalid.

Lector assaulted during Mass in Philadelphia

August 24, 2020

PHILADELPHIA -- A lector at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia was punched in the face by an assailant after reading Scripture during an Aug. 23 Mass.

August 25

At least 12 dead as tropical storm lashes Haiti, Dominican Republic

August 25, 2020

CLEVELAND -- Officials reported that at least 12 people had died as Tropical Storm Laura lashed Haiti and the Dominican Republic with strong winds and torrential rains, causing widespread flooding in low-lying communities.

O’Toole must hear social conservatives

August 25, 2020

OTTAWA -- A social conservative did not win the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Ontario MP Erin O’Toole did.

August 26

Liberals going full steam ahead on C-7

August 26, 2020

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberals are vowing to pass changes to Canada’s assisted suicide law before a court-imposed deadline even though if they will be in the position to make changes remains to be seen.

Schools can’t be the same in September

August 26, 2020

The eagerness that normally greets the opening of a new school year won’t be found this year. Instead of excitement, new friends, greeting old friends and the anticipation of what will come, these emotions have been replaced by anxiety, fear and concern for our children and grandchildren’s future health.

Speaking Out: Wearing a mask shows you care

August 26, 2020

Conspiracy theorists portray masks as a ploy by the government to control people and restrict their rights for freedom. Anti-maskers brand themselves as freedom fighters as they fight the mandate to wear this symbol of oppression, restraint and imprisonment.