Browse › 2021 › June

June 2021

June 1

Pope Francis promulgates revised canon law on crimes, punishments

June 1, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- A series of laws and procedures promulgated by now-retired Pope Benedict XVI and, especially, by Pope Francis to protect children, promote the investigation of allegations of clerical sexual abuse and punish offenders are included in a heavily revised section of the Code of Canon Law.

Holy See receives permanent observer status at the WHO

June 1, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to formalize the participation of the Holy See in the World Health Organization as a nonmember state observer.

Fears rise over China's growing crackdown on Christian religious leaders

June 1, 2021

The recent arrest of a Vatican-approved bishop, priests and seminarians in north-central China came as a shocking development, if not surprising, as religious persecution in the communist-led country has continued to intensify under President Xi Jinping.

14-day limit prohibition for human embryo research abandoned

June 1, 2021

The international scientific body governing stem cell research is abandoning the absolute 14-day limit on culturing human embryos in the laboratory, putting pressure on Canada’s law prohibiting the practice.

June 2

Speaking Out: Making do with less is good for the soul

June 2, 2021

Although spirituality is at the core of religion, physical objects are inherent to its history and current functioning.

Jesuit retreat aims for Sacred Heart encounter

June 2, 2021

Stillness and spiritual introspection will be accentuated concepts during the Jesuits of Canada’s second silent Ignatian retreat for young professionals taking place virtually June 4-6.

Charles Lewis: Uighurs need a Good Samaritan

June 2, 2021

One of the greatest passages in the Bible is the story of the Good Samaritan.

Tiananmen Square protesters remembered at Masses in Hong Kong

June 2, 2021

HONG KONG -- The protesters killed in Tiananmen Square in mainland China on June 4, 1989, used to be remembered in Hong Kong with an annual candlelight vigil in the city’s expansive Victoria Park, attended by crowds as big as 130,000, all holding flickering candles.

Archbishop Miller offers ‘deep apology’ in wake of discovery of bodies at Kamloops residential school

June 2, 2021

The Archbishop of Vancouver is offering “my deep apology” to those affected by the discovery of the bodies of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in B.C.

June 3

Sex-selective abortion bill defeated in House of Commons

June 3, 2021

Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall’s bill to ban sex-selective abortions in Canada was defeated in the House of Commons by a 248-82 margin June 2.

Editorial: Take action — now

June 3, 2021

It came like a punch in the gut. The news of the discovery of the bodies of 215 children on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School have shaken us to the core. How could this happen in Canada? How could this happen under the roof of an institution run by Catholic religious orders? Despite all the stories of abuse at residential schools, despite the chronicling of horrors in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report of 2015, despite the history of systemic racism that has victimized Canada’s Indigenous people … this news rips opens wounds that have not even come close to healing.

Readers Speak Out: June 6, 2021

June 3, 2021

Rights violated June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. Recently, the Toronto Catholic District School Board passed a motion to fly the rainbow flag and celebrate Pride month in June. We believe the vote was wrong on moral and legal grounds.

JCCF fighting pandemic worship restrictions across Canada

June 3, 2021

Provincial governments across Canada are presenting faith adherents with rays of hope by unveiling roadmaps and timelines on the lifting of public worship restrictions heading into the summer months.

Francis Campbell: Setting course on road back to normal

June 3, 2021

A glimmer of light is now visible at the end of our 15-month-long tunnel of unnatural existence.

June 4

Come back to Mass, archbishop pleads

June 4, 2021

PHILADELPHIA -- Imploring Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to return to the celebration of Mass in person, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez launched a major initiative for that purpose on Pentecost Sunday, May 23.

One year after George Floyd, schools taking anti-racism efforts seriously

June 4, 2021

Anti-Black racism activist Adora Nwofor gets emotional when she talks about the love she has for Calgary.

Mary Marrocco: Our doubts can move us toward Jesus

June 4, 2021

Sometimes I imagine what it might have been like for people at the foot of the cross as Jesus’ body was taken down, wrapped in linens and spices, and taken away to the tomb.

Respectful debate needed on Pride flag, Fabbro says

June 4, 2021

Bishop Ron Fabbro wants a more intelligent and respectful debate about Catholic institutions flying Pride flags.

The children 'must not be forgotten': Cardinal Thomas Collins responds to discovery of graves at Kamloops residential school

June 4, 2021

The “betrayal of trust” by those responsible for Canada’s residential schools must “compel us to ensure that our sins are not repeated,” said Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto.

Pope Francis names new envoy to Israel, Palestine

June 4, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis named Archbishop Adolfo Yllana to be apostolic nuncio to Israel and to Cyprus and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine.