FREE access to the digital edition and archives until September 2. Click here. →
Browse › 2021 › June
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.
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.
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.
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, 2021
Although spirituality is at the core of religion, physical objects are inherent to its history and current functioning.
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.
One of the greatest passages in the Bible is the story of the Good Samaritan.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
A glimmer of light is now visible at the end of our 15-month-long tunnel of unnatural existence.
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.
Anti-Black racism activist Adora Nwofor gets emotional when she talks about the love she has for Calgary.
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.
Bishop Ron Fabbro wants a more intelligent and respectful debate about Catholic institutions flying Pride flags.
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.
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis named Archbishop Adolfo Yllana to be apostolic nuncio to Israel and to Cyprus and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine.