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October 2020

October 10

Pope Francis: Time is running out to fix economy, protect the Earth, help the poor

October 10, 2020

VATICAN CITY - The predominant global economic system is "unsustainable," particularly in its impact on the environment, Pope Francis said.

October 11

The face of evil is all around us

October 11, 2020

We tend to be naïve about evil, at least as to what it looks like in everyday life.

God's Word on Sunday: We all have a part to play in God’s plan

October 11, 2020

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 18 (Year A) Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a; Matthew 22:15-21 King Cyrus of Persia was an unlikely candidate for the title 'messiah' (anointed one) in the Hebrew Scriptures. But the text is clear: Cyrus was the anointed of God. Not only that, God gave him the power necessary for his long string of military victories.

October 12

Francis Campbell: A spirit of hope in Church’s new reality

October 12, 2020

The times they are a-changin’. Writing in 1962 about anticipated dramatic changes to family, racial, social, political and sexual dynamics, singer-songwriter Bob Dylan warned the old guard that their existing road was rapidly aging and they’d better get out of the way if they couldn’t lend a hand to those driving world change.

My heart goes on … with new perspective

October 12, 2020

After effectively dying briefly three weeks ago, I’ve been thinking whether my survival really means God wants me to remain on Earth for a while yet.

October 13

Beatified teen showed that heaven is ‘attainable goal,’ cardinal says

October 13, 2020

ASSISI, Italy - Thousands sang and applauded as Italian teen Carlo Acutis was beatified in a town dear to him and to many Christians around the world: Assisi.

Mexican president again asks Pope for apology for 1521 conquest

October 13, 2020

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has asked Pope Francis to apologize for the church's role in the conquest of the Americas. It's the second time he has made such a request of the Pope in less than two years.

October 14

Prayer, crying out to God is only source of salvation, Pope says

October 14, 2020

VATICAN CITY - The purpose of crying out to the Lord in prayer is not to get used to suffering, but to remember that God, and not humankind, is the only source of salvation and consolation, Pope Francis said.

Vatican criminal trial begins against priests accused in abuse case

October 14, 2020

VATICAN CITY - Dressed in a black polo shirt with a sweater draped around his shoulders, Father Gabriele Martinelli, 28, heard a Vatican criminal court accuse him of repeatedly sexually abusing a younger student at a minor seminary inside the Vatican.

Analyst linked to Cardinal Becciu is arrested

October 14, 2020

VATICAN CITY - A political analyst allegedly hired as a security consultant by Cardinal Angelo Becciu was arrested by Italian authorities in Milan, Italian media reported.

Canadian religious leaders condemn Bill C-7

October 14, 2020

Religious leaders across Canada have expressed their concern and opposition with the recently reintroduced Bill C-7 which would expand access to medically assisted dying.

October 15

Around world, men, women, children 'bear burden' of climate change, says nuncio

October 15, 2020

UNITED NATIONS - Protecting "our common home for present and future generations is one of the most urgent demands of our time," Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations, said Oct. 13.

Charles Lewis: Barrett a ray of hope in divided America

October 15, 2020

The United States is in the midst of political crisis; divisions among Americans are at a fever pitch. I do not think the country has been this polarized since the Vietnam War era.

Sisters’ ministry lives in the present

October 15, 2020

Entering their 170th year of caring for the people of Toronto, the Sisters of St. Joseph want to celebrate their history, of course. But celebrating that ministry has to be about much more than history, said the Sisters of St. Joseph communications director Lisa Tabachnick.

Vatican gathers ambassadors to hear what is happening in Syria

October 15, 2020

VATICAN CITY - As the world's attention is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and its dire economic consequences, the Vatican urged nations not to forget the people of Syria, who are still living in a situation of violence and extreme need.

Canadian weapons fuelling conflict

October 15, 2020

It’s nice that Canada is going to look into how Canadian-made targeting systems are being used by the Turkish and Azerbaijani military, both engaged in active wars, before allowing any more sales or exports of the systems. But Ottawa will have to do more if it intends to live up to its signature on the international Arms Trade Treaty and international human rights law in general, according to a researcher at Project Ploughshares.

Editorial: A lasting legacy

October 15, 2020

The four nuns who arrived in Toronto (population 30,000) on Oct. 7, 1851 had a single task — to care for children orphaned by the typhus epidemic that had ravaged the Irish Catholic immigrant community.

October 16

NET ministry resumes in COVID landscape

October 16, 2020

Young adult missionaries with the National Evangelization Teams (NET) Canada are facing a new pandemic-induced reality this year.

Speaking Out: Unprecedented school challenges

October 16, 2020

If there are teachers or students in your life, I urge you to pray for them because this school year is nothing like anything anyone has seen before.

At Alberta meat plant, COVID-19 put Catholic social teaching into action

October 16, 2020

EDMONTON, Alberta - The largest single outbreak of COVID-19 in North America may be one of the biggest lessons in the Catholic social principles of sacrifice, the value of work, care for the common good, and solidarity.