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December 2020

December 2

Food bank use skyrockets during pandemic

December 2, 2020

The stock market is up, real estate is soaring and yet food bank use is through the roof.

Italian bishops say 'midnight Mass' must end before 10 p.m. curfew

December 2, 2020

ROME -- As rumblings and grumblings grew in the press and on social media, the permanent council of the Italian bishops' conference met to discuss the problem of Christmas "midnight Mass" when the government has imposed a 10 p.m. curfew as part of its measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking Out: A return to a simple Christmas

December 2, 2020

As many Canadian provinces experience some version of a second lockdown, “normal Christmas is, quite frankly, out of the question,” as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told us during a Nov. 20 press conference.

A Marian dream is put into action

December 2, 2020

Clothed in traditional blue and white garments, radiating a great light and youthfulness, the Mother of God appeared to Cosmo Femia in a dream, beseeching in imploring words: “You have a big responsibility, all those souls in your hands; will you bring them to my Son?”

Fr. Raymond de Souza: Many dropped the ball, Montreal report finds

December 2, 2020

The Boucher Report, released on Nov. 25 by the Archdiocese of Montreal, makes for distressing reading. The tale told therein also illustrates how failures in Canada may have contributed to the significant reforms made by Pope Francis last year aimed at changing the culture of episcopal governance.

December 3

Morality needed at the forefront of COVID recovery

December 3, 2020

Science, medicine and economics are going to all play important roles in the global post-pandemic recovery, but from the Church’s point of view there needs to be a moral recovery first, Cardinal Michael Czerny explained in a Nov. 27 address at Tokyo’s Sophia University.

Quebec suspends refugee resettlement

December 3, 2020

Banned by the Quebec government, churches and faith communities who sponsor refugees want to face their accusers and get some sort of explanation for Quebec’s sudden one-year suspension of refugee sponsorship.

Editorial: Second thought

December 3, 2020

The race towards expanding assess to assisted suicide continues on Parliament Hill despite all the common-sense pushback.

Readers Speak Out: December 6, 2020

December 3, 2020

Thin disguise It is so hard to understand how so many educated, God- loving people actually accept the lies poured out by Donald Trump (DT). DT looks for the hot topics that push people’s buttons i.e. abortion, then promotes his supposed stance on that topic for one solitary reason, to garner and stay in power. He does not care about abortion personally one way or another, but if saying he is against it garners him some votes he is against it. The devil comes under many disguises but when it comes to DT his disguise is very thinly veiled.

Catholics can be vaccinated with clear conscience

December 3, 2020

EDMONTON -- When a vaccine is available to treat or prevent COVID-19, the bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories have given their blessing to Catholics to be inoculated.

Glen Argan: Ideology matters. Life? Not so much

December 3, 2020

Although Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was elected in 2019 on a platform of improving the economy, providing new jobs and eliminating the government deficit, his election as both party leader and premier came with the support of Alberta’s pro-life movement. The current pandemic has made it clear that the Kenney government’s overwhelming priority is to keep businesses open even if it means a loss of human life. The government shows no sign of a pro-life commitment.

Sr. Helena Burns: Making the most of your news I.Q.

December 3, 2020

I was recently asked by a parish to do a (virtual) workshop on “News Literacy.” I was told by the families that invited me: “The confusion goes way beyond just ‘fake news.’ There are so many voices on so many digital platforms, speaking both without and within the Church — we need some guidance!” All sides produce legitimate-seeming data, evidence and documentation. Who and what to believe?

Liberals table bill to implement UN’s Indigenous rights declaration

December 3, 2020

OTTAWA -- The federal government is making good on a promise to bring in legislation that would set up the framework for how the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) will be implemented within Canadian law.

December 4

Crisis offers opportunity

December 4, 2020

Catholic parents seeking to help their children make sense of world events have had their work cut out for them in 2020.

Robert Kinghorn: Mike found a home in Dismas Fellowship

December 4, 2020

It’s a simple action, almost involuntary, and we seldom give it another thought. We are asked to dip into our deep pockets as we sit in the pews, and to spare some money for the less fortunate at Christmas.

Catholic doctors, bishop welcome U.K. ruling against puberty blockers

December 4, 2020

MANCHESTER, England -- A U.K. court has ruled children are unable to consent to taking drugs to change gender, in a landmark case welcomed by Catholic doctors and a bishop.

December 5

Prendergast’s retirement on hold

December 5, 2020

OTTAWA -- Retiring is proving to be difficult for Archbishop Terrence Prendergast.

December 6

God's Word on Sunday: We are called be part of God’s work

December 6, 2020

Third Sunday of Advent, Dec.13 (Year B) Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 How do we know when God is present or when God has visited humanity? God always leaves behind unmistakable signs of the divine presence. Most of them can be summed up with the word “freedom” and can be either physical, psychological or spiritual in nature — or all three.

Librarian’s estate gifts King’s with $1 million

December 6, 2020

A bit early for Christmas, King’s University College has been hit with a surprise gift of $1 million — one of the largest gifts in the London, Ont., Catholic college’s history.

December 7

Pope Francis plans to visit Iraq in March

December 7, 2020

VATICAN CITY - Barring any obstacles caused by the global pandemic, Pope Francis is set to begin international travel again in 2021 by visiting Iraq in March, which would make him the first pope to visit this nation.