Browse › 2021 › March

March 2021

March 1

Pope Francis: For Lent, read the Gospel, fast from gossip

March 1, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- People should fast from gossiping and spreading hearsay as part of their Lenten journey, Pope Francis said.

Benedict XVI discusses his resignation, Francis' trip to Iraq in interview

March 1, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Although it took obvious effort to pronounce each word and sometimes his secretary repeated what he said to make it clear, retired Pope Benedict XVI spoke to an Italian newspaper about his retirement and about Pope Francis' planned trip to Iraq.

At least 18 die in Myanmar coup protests

March 1, 2021

YANGON, Myanmar -- Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon called for patience and tolerance on a day when at least 18 anti-coup protesters were shot dead by Myanmar security forces.

March 2

U.S. Supreme Court lifts ban on indoor worship in California county

March 2, 2021

WASHINGTON -- A Supreme Court decision allowing indoor worship services in Santa Clara county, California, was praised by Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose, located in the county where the ban had been in effect.

March 3

Lawyer: New report on abuse in Cologne will incriminate church officials

March 3, 2021

COLOGNE, Germany -- The second expert report commissioned to investigate abuse in the Archdiocese of Cologne also incriminates church officials who are still alive and accuses them of mistakes in dealing with cases of sexualized violence, according to its author, Björn Gercke.

Speaking Out: Faith in a murky world

March 3, 2021

Being steadfast in times of suffering can be a struggle. COVID-19 continues to create a murky picture for Canada’s near future. All around us, people suffer from loneliness, anxiety, illness and despair.

Youth Reconnect report reveals positive change

March 3, 2021

A recent report shows that the Good Shepherd’s Youth Reconnect (YR) program has reduced the number of at-risk Hamilton, Ont., youth accessing shelter and other emergency services.

Ethics Bowl shows what is missing in political discourse

March 3, 2021

“We look forward to hearing what you have to enrich the discussion,” said one student to an opponent at the second annual Ethics Bowl Feb. 27 in discussing whether or not pardoning criminals gave justice to the victims. “I’m excited to hear what team B has to say,” said another young competitor with a smile.

Fr. Raymond de Souza: Following the science of medical miracles

March 3, 2021

This is the 250th anniversary year of the death of St. Marguerite d’Youville, the founder of the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal. The first Canadian-born saint, she was canonized in 1990 by St. John Paul II.

B.C. health authority evicts Delta Hospice Society

March 3, 2021

VANCOUVER -- The Fraser Health Authority has given the Delta Hospice Society 30 days’ notice to vacate the Irene Thomas Hospice in South Delta, B.C.

March 4

Equality Act could discriminate against faithful

March 4, 2021

The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in a 224-206 vote Feb. 25.

Safe Third Country appeal rests in court’s hands

March 4, 2021

The decision on whether to overturn a July 2020 court decision rendering the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States invalid is now in the hands of three judges of the Federal Court of Appeal.

Editorial: Reign of hope

March 4, 2021

Two years after his election to the papacy, Pope Francis was asked about how long his pontificate might last. “I have the feeling that my pontificate will be short,” he said. “Four or five years. I don’t know, or two, three.”

Readers Speak Out: March 7, 2021

March 4, 2021

Open doors Re: Woman granted voting rights for bishops’ synod (Feb. 14): After reading the article concerning the appointment of Sr. Nathalie Becquart to the general secretariat of the synod of bishops, it made me think of Jennie Trout and Emily Stowe, the first female physicians in Canada, some 140 years ago, and the suffragist movement which very gradually gave the vote to women in Canada.

Sr. Helena Burns: Gospel of the Body needs to be heard

March 4, 2021

Since the Daughters of St. Paul have always printed papal encyclicals and works of the popes, we naturally collected and published John Paul II’s extraordinary “Theology of the Body” — a series of catechetical talks he delivered in the early 1980s.

Canadian bishops call out governments over unfair treatment in COVID regulations

March 4, 2021

As Quebec movie theatres welcome up to 250 patrons as pandemic protocols begin to loosen, churches remain limited to only 10 people — including the presiding priest — at worship services.

March 5

Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality

March 5, 2021

BAGHDAD -- To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said.

Mary Marrocco: Christ, the truth, will set us free

March 5, 2021

Who could forget the look on Ingrid Bergman’s face, playing Paula in the movie Gaslight, as she apprehends the possibility that she might be slowly going insane?

‘Coach K’ puts faith to work on court for St. Francis Xavier University

March 5, 2021

It has not been the final season long time St. Francis Xavier University head basketball coach Steve Konchalski imagined.

Honour martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq, Pope Francis says on visit

March 5, 2021

BAGHDAD -- Visiting a Baghdad cathedral "hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters" murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good.