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March 2021

March 5

Johnson & Johnson vaccine ‘morally acceptable’ despite fetus origins

March 5, 2021

The approval of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for use in Canada has heightened the discussion over whether Catholics should receive the vaccine, though Church teaching remains clear that it is “morally acceptable.”

Archdiocese of Toronto urging Catholics to call on MPPs for ‘equitable’ approach to a return to worship

March 5, 2021

Toronto’s Cardinal Thomas Collins is sending a clear message to Queen’s Park: It’s time for a “fair and equitable approach to the return to worship.”

March 6

Marian summit part of rosary novena

March 6, 2021

A spirit of veneration for Mary is at work during the 2021 Lenten and Easter seasons as the Marian Devotional Movement (MDM) launched a Canada54 National Rosary Novena and Marian Summit on Ash Wednesday.

Pope Francis, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect

March 6, 2021

NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.

Hostility, violence are 'betrayals' of religion, Pope Francis says in Iraq

March 6, 2021

UR, Iraq -- Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.

Glen Argan: Beware the traps of self-righteousness

March 6, 2021

Sometimes, morality is the enemy of justice. Leading a morally upright life should lead one to act with integrity and compassion. Society itself cannot be good unless a critical mass of its people is morally good. But when we try to make other people good and judge them harshly when they don’t live up to our standards, we become repressive.

Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland cancels 2021 season

March 6, 2021

For the second year in a row, Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ont., won’t be open to the public this summer.

March 7

Development and Peace say proper authority to investigate rights violations abroad lacking

March 7, 2021

A leaked memo providing legal advice to the Canadian government only proves that the government broke its promise to provide for effective, independent investigations when Canadian mining companies are accused of human rights violations abroad, according to Canada’s Catholic development and aid organization.

God's Word on Sunday: Reflecting on past paves way for renewal

March 7, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 14 (Year B) 2 Chronicles 36:14-17a, 19-23; Psalm 137; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21 There is a pattern that is often repeated in the narratives of the Old Testament. The people of God fall into sin that is marked by idolatry, corruption and injustice. God sends prophets to warn them and turn their hearts back to the Lord. The warnings are usually ignored and then followed by disaster for the nation, usually at the hands of an oppressor.

Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, Pope Francis says

March 7, 2021

QARAQOSH, Iraq -- Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.

Living the beatitudes can change the world, Pope Francis says in Iraq

March 7, 2021

BAGHDAD -- Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians that when they suffer discrimination, persecution or war, the Eight Beatitudes are addressed to them.

Robert Kinghorn: Holding on with hope and gratitude

March 7, 2021

In many ways, gratitude is the basis of love.

March 8

Cleanse your hearts of anger, live the Gospel, Pope Francis says at Mass in Irbil

March 8, 2021

IRBIL, Iraq -- Having witnessed or even experienced persecution for their faith, the Christians of Iraq must be careful not to harbor thoughts of revenge, Pope Francis told them.

Returning from Iraq, Pope Francis talks about 'risks' taken on trip

March 8, 2021

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM IRAQ -- The Catholic Church's commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.

March 9

Interfaith event encourages students to extend their embrace

March 9, 2021

Young artists and activists of different faiths gathered recently to spread the messages of unity and interfaith dialogue.

Slaying of nine Filipino activists in raid sparks outrage

March 9, 2021

MANILA, Philippines -- A Catholic bishop and a lay group have joined rights organizations to denounce and call for an investigation into the killing of nine activists by security forces in raids in four Philippine provinces March 7.

March 10

Social conservatives plan to make their voices heard at Conservative Party convention

March 10, 2021

OTTAWA -- Social conservatives, whose support helped Erin O’Toole get elected Conservative Party leader, are looking to flex their muscle at the party’s policy convention March 18-20.

Speaking Out: What have we learned from a year of COVID?

March 10, 2021

The landmark one-year anniversary dates for COVID-19 in Canada are Jan. 25 and March 8 — the former being the day we recorded our first official pandemic case, and the latter being the first death.

Winners for the 2021 Friars' writing contest

March 10, 2021

When Nicholas De Castro sat down to write what became an award-winning essay for the annual Friars’ Student Writing Contest, one image immediately came to mind: Mother Teresa.

Essay: Drawing nearer to God

March 10, 2021

Imagine a circle with lines radiating around it. As the lines move farther away from the circle’s centre, they move farther apart from each other. The Sisters of Grandchamp, a religious community that led daily reflections during this year’s Week of Christian Unity, shared this analogy to help Christians understand how unity rests in abiding in Christ.