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April 2022

April 1

Pope Francis apologizes for Church role in residential schools, plans for visit to Canada

April 1, 2022

The words I’m sorry from the Pope were more than what either Canadian bishops or Indigenous delegations expected from this week-long encounter with Pope Francis.

Editorial: Respect the facts

April 1, 2022

Neither truth nor reconciliation is served by claims that cannot be reconciled with what is known to be true.

Readers Speak Out: April 3, 2022

April 1, 2022

Antidote to war Re: War and the Cross (Editorial, March 13): In the anti-war film Oh! What a Lovely War patriotic hymns are sung, and a pastor tells his congregation theirs is a righteous cause against a dastardly enemy. The scene then cuts to the other side and their pastor. It brilliantly clarifies the nature of war: a mass psychosis.

Archdiocese of Vancouver to assess impact of pandemic restrictions

April 1, 2022

The Archdiocese of Vancouver will conduct a review of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Church in Vancouver, how the archdiocese responded and what, if anything, should be done to improve responses in future emergencies.

New program cause to celebrate Catholic schools

April 1, 2022

In a year when we often feel beaten down, Catholic education has something to celebrate, and it should. This year will see the completion of the grade school religion program, Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ, Grades 1 to 8. In 2023, the first kindergarten program will be published, followed by entry into secondary school with the first Grade 9 Religion program in 2024.

‘Be not afraid’

April 1, 2022

Walking recently through the University of Toronto campus, I noticed a young fellow on the other side of the street jogging energetically past.

Nationalism can exploit morality, prof says

April 1, 2022

In the shadow of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church and Patriarch Kirill, perhaps it’s time for a moral reflection on religion and nationalism, says David Seljak.

New library brings sparkle to student eyes

April 1, 2022

Students at Etobicoke’s St. Elizabeth Catholic School can’t hide their elation with the school’s new and improved library, staff happily report.

April 3

Fear stands in way of hearing God’s word

April 3, 2022

Passion (Palm) Sunday (Year C) April 10(Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56) There is no lack of people or groups who feel that they have a duty and calling to loudly proclaim their beliefs. It often seems like we are being bombarded from all sides by very shrill, intolerant and angry voices. What is to distinguish them from the prophet described in Isaiah? Just one more voice?

April 4

Pope Francis indicates he has not spoken directly to Putin about Ukraine war

April 4, 2022

Once again, Pope Francis avoided speaking directly about Russian President Vladimir Putin and instead focused on condemning war as a cruel and inhumane act that "goes against the human spirit."

English police to allow priests to give last rites at crime scenes

April 4, 2022

Police in England have produced national guidelines to allow priests to give last rites to Catholics dying at crime scenes.

Cardinal Turkson to head pontifical academies of sciences, social sciences

April 4, 2022

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Peter Turkson the new chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, two groups of top-level scholars and experts who promote studies on issues of concern to the Vatican.

Missing Filipino priest found, unconscious and bound, after two days

April 4, 2022

A Catholic priest in the Philippines was found unconscious and tied up in his car after being reported missing two days earlier, said police, who suspect he was the victim of a kidnap attempt.

April 6

U.S. nun, 83, kidnapped in Burkina Faso

April 6, 2022

The attack in which Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson, 83, was abducted from her convent in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, the morning of April 5 was conducted by at least 10 armed men, the Marianites of Holy Cross said in an electronic newsletter.

Military training re-oriented Lépine’s future

April 6, 2022

Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine says his early encounter with military life convinces him God’s power is vital to stopping the bloody conflict in Ukraine, which has now led to allegations of war crimes by invading Russian forces.

Friars’ contest winner inspired on home front

April 6, 2022

Liya Lijoe Thottungal did not have to look far for her inspiration in penning the winning the entry for the annual Friars’ Student Writing Contest.

Meditations on Holy Week

April 6, 2022

Every year, just before Easter, we take a week to meditate on Christ’s Passion. We contemplate Jesus’ sacrificial death for us.

As three feasts converge, Holy Land Christians hope for peace, tourism

April 6, 2022

With pandemic restrictions almost fully lifted, churches and shopkeepers alike are hopeful that the streets of Jerusalem will fill up once again as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge.

Pope Francis: ‘I ask for God’s forgiveness’

April 6, 2022

Read the full text of Pope Francis' April 1 final audience with the Canadian Indigenous delegation that travelled to the Vatican.

Miller awaits Pope’s ‘pilgrimage of closeness’

April 6, 2022

Vancouver Archbishop Michael Miller says Pope Francis has set in motion a “pilgrimage of closeness” between the Catholic Church and Canada’s First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples with his historic apology.