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January 2021

January 19

Vatican revokes arrest warrant against woman linked to finance scandal

January 19, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican announced that it withdrew an arrest and extradition request for an Italian political analyst, who allegedly was hired as a consultant by Cardinal Angelo Becciu and is now accused of embezzlement.

January 20

Ontario’s assisted suicide numbers on the rise

January 20, 2021

OTTAWA -- The number of people legally put to death in Canada’s largest province continues to go up year after year, new statistics from the Office of Ontario’s Chief Coroner indicate.

Speaking Out: Leaders’ example sorely lacking

January 20, 2021

Canada’s provincial and federal politicians essentially locked the country down again over Christmas because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tightening restrictions intensified the dreariness, the darkness and coldness of a Christmas season in Canada. These limits on freedom were even instituted in communities that were faring well with flattening the pandemic’s curve.

Christianity turns 500 in the Philippines

January 20, 2021

The year 2021 marks 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines and Filipino Catholics worldwide are joining to celebrate this milestone as the faith of a people that has endured.

Sr. Helena Burns: The dilemma that is social media

January 20, 2021

A much-ballyhooed documentary entitled The Social Dilemma has been making the rounds on Netflix. It’s about some major players in the world of Big Tech, Silicon Valley and social media who have called it quits and are now on what I call “the apology tour.”

Scheidler was ‘godfather of pro-life activism’

January 20, 2021

CHICAGO -- Joe Scheidler, founder of the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago and one of the towering figures of the pro-life movement for decades, died of pneumonia Jan. 18 surrounded by his family at his home n Chicago. He was 93.

Vatican begins vaccinating residents of its homeless shelters

January 20, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- As the Vatican health service continued vaccinating Vatican residents and employees against COVID-19, it also began offering the vaccine to homeless people who live in Vatican-owned shelters.

Second Catholic president causes some to celebrate, gives others anxiety

January 20, 2021

WASHINGTON -- Joe Biden became the second Catholic to be inaugurated as president of the United States Jan. 20, giving some U.S. Catholics and their religious leaders a reason to rejoice and others to fear more access to abortion under his leadership.

January 21

Catholic student reporter says he was fired for beliefs

January 21, 2021

A student journalist at Toronto’s Ryerson University is claiming damages from the school’s volunteer student newspaper, saying he was kicked off the paper’s roster of writers for his Catholic beliefs.

Windsor scholar studies rise in local anti-Semitism

January 21, 2021

Persistent prejudice is inspiring one Catholic scholar to respond with persistent and faithful research.

Priest, parishioner among casualties in Madrid explosion

January 21, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- A young priest ordained only six months ago was among the casualties of an explosion at a parish center in Madrid.

Editorial: Treaty brings hope

January 21, 2021

In these days of viral lockdowns and political unease, moments of celebration are hard to come by.

Readers Speak Out: January 24, 2021

January 21, 2021

Papal prophecies Re: Biden poses issues for U.S. bishops (Jan. 17): Following Michael Swan’s interesting article related to the challenge for U.S. bishops, I’m suggesting to look closer to prophetic statements from two great popes:

The time is now for Camilleri

January 21, 2021

Fr. Ivan Camilleri’s moment has arrived — not that he was waiting for it or hoping for it or dreading it. But it’s here now and that’s fine with him.

Malta shares its faith with Toronto, world

January 21, 2021

Fr. Mario Micallef recalls the general feeling of pride and excitement experienced within Toronto’s Maltese community on the morning of Nov. 28.

Fr. McCaffery officiated Gretzky wedding

January 21, 2021

EDMONTON -- Pastor. Mentor. Teacher. Community Leader. Friend.

Glen Argan: Biden offers U.S. the same old normal

January 21, 2021

U.S. President Joe Biden is the most publicly religious American president since at least Jimmy Carter. Biden is knowledgeable of Catholic social teaching. He is comfortable talking about his faith, attends Mass weekly and prays his rosary regularly. Yet, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is not comfortable with Biden. The reason? He is an unabashed supporter of abortion rights.

January 22

Justice Weiler makes law work for kids

January 22, 2021

Over the course of six decades, Justice Karen Weiler has wielded the law in the service of kids. Semi-retired, honoured throughout Canada’s legal community and now with the Order of Ontario in her back pocket, she’s still doing it.

Liberal MP slammed for ‘anti-Catholic’ tweet

January 22, 2021

OTTAWA -- A “cheap shot” tweet directed at Catholics by a Liberal MP has been slammed as “anti-Catholic” by Conservative Garnett Genuis and the Catholic Civil Rights League.

Former Vatican bank president sentenced for embezzlement

January 22, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- A former president of the Vatican bank and his lawyer were found guilty of money laundering and embezzling millions of euros from property sales.