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August 2023

August 1

Anti-MAiD forces ‘need to tell better stories’

August 1, 2023

A Christian think tank is spinning a hopeful narrative for MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) legislation expansion in Canada.

Ukraine officially moves Christmas to Dec. 25

August 1, 2023

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed into law a bill moving the official observance of Christmas Day to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, when Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church mark the holiday.

Sinéad O’Connor was failed by the Church

August 1, 2023

In October 1996 I found myself in a seminar group with Sinéad O’Connor. My name then was O’Neill and the alphabet had lumped us together long before any other identity group had a chance to.

August 2

Lisbon basks in joy as World Youth Day opens

August 2, 2023

Joyful, singing crowds were walking through Lisbon long after the opening Mass of World Youth Day 2023 was over Aug. 1. The atmosphere surprised even those that lived in the Portuguese capital throughout their lives.

In Portugal for WYD, pope urges Europe to recover its 'youthful heart'

August 2, 2023

Arriving at the edge of the European continent for World Youth Day, Pope Francis urged Portuguese officials to return to their maritime roots by setting sail toward new horizons of hope and helping build a Europe "capable of recovering its youthful heart."

August 3

Future preserved for historic Acadian church in Nova Scotia

August 3, 2023

A deconsecrated Catholic Church in Digby County, N.S., facing the grim prospect of demolition for months has been afforded a new lease on life.

Pope Francis meets WYD pilgrims from Ukraine, hears their stories

August 3, 2023

Fifteen World Youth Day pilgrims from Ukraine, most of whom had lost a father or other close relative in the war, had a private meeting with Pope Francis Aug. 3.

God's Word on Sunday: Dominion and glory belong to the Lord

August 3, 2023

Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A) Aug. 6 (Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9) Violent and frightening times always give birth to new theologies, and the time of the Maccabean War in the second century B.C. was no exception. The people of Judea were being persecuted by the Seleucid Greeks of Syria, who sought to obliterate the Jewish religion, customs and traditions. Many were dying for their faith while others were more than happy to serve their new overlords.

August 8

On flight to Rome, Pope Francis responds to questions about abuse, his health

August 8, 2023

After a five-day trip to Portugal, which recently came to terms with its own clerical sex abuse crisis, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church must abandon its practice of covering up abuse and instead be "very open" about how it is confronting the crime.

Martyred family's 'unprecedented' beatification prompts theological reflection, pro-life prayers

August 8, 2023

When the Ulma family is beatified Sept. 10 as martyrs who gave their lives to protect Jews during the Holocaust, it may be the first time the Catholic Church has beatified an entire, specific family together, as well as the first beatification of an unborn child.

Slovenian bishops urge prayer, Caritas support as nation battles historic floods

August 8, 2023

Catholics in Slovenia are rallying emergency aid and turning to prayer as record floods have ravaged that nation, killing at least six and leaving hundreds homeless.

August 9

Ottawa Archbishop Emeritus Gervais dies at 91

August 9, 2023

Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais, who shepherded the bilingual diocese covering Canada’s capital from 1989 to 2007, died Aug. 6, Ottawa-Cornwall Archbishop Emeritus Terrence Prendergast announced in an Instagram post.

Bishop demands ‘proof’ for missing children claims

August 9, 2023

As he lay in a Calgary hospital bed in late July, retired Bishop Fred Henry summoned the energy to publicly break the silence around what he considers the prevailing “lie” about missing Indian residential school children.

August 10

Verbatim: Message of thanks from Pope Francis to the volunteers of World Youth Day

August 10, 2023

Message of thanks from Pope Francis to the volunteers of World Youth Day XXXVII during his Apostolic Journey to Portugal.

Vatican confirms Pope Francis sent envoy to India to resolve liturgical dispute

August 10, 2023

As controversy and deep division continued in an Indian archdiocese over the direction the priest faces during the celebration of the liturgy, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis named Slovak Archbishop Cyril Vasil of Košice as his pontifical delegate to help resolve the dispute.

Editorial: We’re sticking to the facts

August 10, 2023

The contemporary political and cultural mood demands recall of what would normally be a blinding statement of the obvious in a liberal democracy: expression is not automatically endorsement.

God's Word on Sunday: God’s voice is heard in the still silence

August 10, 2023

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Aug. 13 (1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:21-33) Elijah expected a grand show. The word of the Lord directed him to stand on the mountain because God was going to pass by. At first, it seemed that he would not be disappointed. There was a wind so strong that it split rocks. But God was not in the wind. This was followed by a strong earthquake — but no God. Finally, there was a consuming fire, but God was not even in the fire.

Providence palliative director a MAiD provider

August 10, 2023

The appointment of a Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) provider as Interim Clinical Director of Palliative Care at a Catholic hospital in Ontario has provoked renewed concern about the future of Catholic health care in Canada.

Seeing children as blessings not barriers

August 10, 2023

“The joys of parenthood: apparently the best kept secret.”

Time for us to stop screening calls from God

August 10, 2023

A few years ago — let’s say 20 — I watched as the police handled a disturbance. An elderly gentleman was standing in the middle of the sidewalk talking animatedly to an invisible friend. It seemed to be a delightful conversation, and the man actually excused himself to his imaginary friend when the authorities intervened.