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December 2020

December 7

Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone

December 7, 2020

VATICAN CITY - Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Pope Francis approves changes for Vatican's financial watchdog agency

December 7, 2020

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis approved new changes to the Vatican's financial watchdog agency concerning its internal governance, hiring procedures and its role as a "supervisory" body.

December 8

Pope Francis proclaims year dedicated to St. Joseph

December 8, 2020

VATICAN CITY - Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus.

Say 'no' to sin, 'yes' to grace, Pope Francis says on Immaculate Conception feast

December 8, 2020

VATICAN CITY - Mary's Immaculate Conception offers a glimpse to the promised life for all Christians who open their hearts to God and his grace, Pope Francis said.

December 9

Pope makes it official in Ottawa-Cornwall

December 9, 2020

OTTAWA -- The official changing of the guard in Ottawa-Cornwall is now complete.

B.C. public Mass ban extended to Jan.8

December 9, 2020

VANCOUVER -- Public health officials in B.C. have extended the existing bans on events including public Masses until Jan. 8, meaning no public in-person Christmas or New Year’s Masses this year.

Speaking Out: Suffering for the soul

December 9, 2020

Our world has been in a state of unceasing evolution since the dawn of time. Yet amidst all this change and progression, one thing has remained steadfast and constant for humanity: suffering.

Barrie churches generate Christmas light in the dark

December 9, 2020

In times of adversity, people often search for some light to shed understanding and comfort. For 13-year-old Rachel Bearisto, this light was a new Christmas tradition begun amidst the restrictions COVID-19 has forced upon the holiday season.

Canadian vaccine to tackle COVID — and more

December 9, 2020

Not just a vaccine but a cheap, ethical, Canadian vaccine is on its way before 2022, and it’s not just a solution for COVID-19, says the new chief operating officer at Eyam Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics.

Charles Lewis: Mass is essential to our Catholic life

December 9, 2020

Once again our Catholic churches are closed in Toronto. Perhaps by the time you are reading this that will have changed. It is unlikely, but possible.

‘Dreamers’ given another legal victory

December 9, 2020

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. federal judge said the Trump administration must fully restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, after the program that protects qualifying young adult immigrants from deportation was suspended this summer.

Guadalupe devotion rising for Indigenous

December 9, 2020

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not some distant, colourful, Mexican tradition for former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas.

December 10

PM praises leaders for COVID presence

December 10, 2020

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked faith communities for helping Canadians struggle through nine long months of COVID-induced uncertainty and isolation, he also urged a group of 250 clergy and faith leaders from a wide range of religions to do more over the home stretch while vaccinations roll out.

Church leaders, not teaching, at root of Indigenous abuse

December 10, 2020

WINDSOR, Ont. -- It’s not Christian teachings that have been at the root of discrimination and oppression in the way whites have treated Indigenous people, but how Church leaders have interpreted those teachings, Senator Murray Sinclair said.

Editorial: Move C-15 forward

December 10, 2020

To say that legislation on the rights of Canada’s Indigenous peoples was overdue is more than an understatement. It is a tragedy.

Readers Speak Out: December 13, 2020

December 10, 2020

Ordinary acts We commend Glen Argan for his courageous column (Nov. 22) on the sexual abuse by clergy. He says “ordinary people” have done great things for the world by “telling the truth … or witnessing to an injustice.”

Francis Campbell: Retirement arrives in a bizarre time

December 10, 2020

Archbishop Anthony Mancini could hardly have envisioned a more atypical adieu to his service with the Halifax-Yarmouth archdiocese.

Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi ends mission as Canada’s apostolic nuncio

December 10, 2020

After seven years as the Pope’s diplomatic representative in Canada, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi is off to Albania.

December 11

Nuns gave lives in testimony to Gospel

December 11, 2020

A Canadian missionary who, just an hour before the soldiers committed their crime, came face-to-face with men who raped and murdered four U.S. churchwomen in El Salvador in 1980, is urging Canadians to remember the martyrdom of both the American missionaries and the Salvadoran people.

Mary Marrocco: A first step into centre of the universe

December 11, 2020

How difficult it is to get out of the centre of the universe. And how painful to find our way there.