Browse › 2023 › August

August 2023

August 29

Pope Francis, urging young Russians to be proud of their heritage, stirs controversy

August 29, 2023

The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church said Ukrainians were shocked when Pope Francis told Russian Catholic youths to be proud of their heritage and cited two historic Russian leaders that, the archbishop said, are "the worst example of imperialism and extreme Russian nationalism."

Cardinal counts and cots: Limit on number of electors has practical side

August 29, 2023

Pope Francis continues to make surprise additions to the College of Cardinals with plenty of "firsts," and perhaps the most surprising of those "firsts" this time is just how many cardinal electors there will be.

After Russia remarks stir outrage, Vatican says pope never intended to 'glorify imperialist logic'

August 29, 2023

Russian clergy and lay Catholics were "caught by surprise" by the pope's remarks in a video call Aug. 25 to a youth gathering in St. Petersburg praising the country's past empire and urging young people to "never give up this heritage."

August 30

Judge dismisses criminal abuse charges against former cardinal Theodore McCarrick

August 30, 2023

The Massachusetts sex abuse case against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick fell apart Wednesday as all criminal charges were dismissed due to the disgraced former cleric being deemed no longer mentally competent.

Development and Peace derailed by Facebook news ban

August 30, 2023

As Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, began restricting Canadians in August from accessing and sharing news content on its platforms in response to Bill C-18, The Online News Act, it wasn’t only news organizations feeling the effect.

Catholic parishes relied on faith, prudent planning during university shooting

August 30, 2023

Two North Carolina pastors told OSV News their parish security plans were put to a real-life test when an active shooting unfolded nearby -- and safety and mental health ministries are serving as a model for other churches, said lay leaders.

August 31

Canada’s Pakistanis condemn homeland’s violence

August 31, 2023

Canadian Christians of Pakistani heritage filled Celebration Square in Mississauga, Ont., in mid-August — not in joy but in sorrowful protest.

Verbatim: Letter from Bishop Hansen to his flock following NWT evacuations

August 31, 2023

Mackenzie-Fort Smith Bishop Jon Hansen was among the thousands of evacuees forced to flee the Northwest Territories due to the wildfires. The bishop has been keeping in touch with his flock online.

Editorial: More pronoun absurdity

August 31, 2023

Canada’s Federal Court may have unwittingly brought us to peak gender pronoun nonsense. We can only hope — or better yet pray — for a return to earth it puts our feet back on sensible ground.

Where's the proof

August 31, 2023

Canada’s True North has reported that 83 churches have now been desecrated, vandalized or burned to the ground since the announcement that graves were found near residential schools in Kamloops, British Columbia. However, no actual graves have been excavated and no definitive wrong proven. But those who don’t like Catholics and the Catholic Church were given the green light to attack churches and frighten believers. And what has been the response to the destruction from the bishops and the government? Silence.

Finding Jesus in the rock of community

August 31, 2023

We are last to push off from the shore into Oxbow Lake. I am in a canoe with Steph and Ava, two high school students from the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Ahead of us are 30 other TCDSB students ranging from Grades 10-12. For many of them it is their first time paddling a canoe. We are bringing up the rear to ensure no one goes astray. Leading the pack at the front is Greg Rogers, founder of this week-long Catholic Leadership program at Camp Olympia near Huntsville, Ont. He is taking us all to see Jesus.

Summer wildfires lead from fear to eternity

August 31, 2023

People jumping into a lake to escape being consumed by flames. Roadways jammed with vehicles on the move. Kilometre-long line-ups to airstrips offering evacuation flights.

Message for humanity: Shut the AI up

August 31, 2023

For individuals of a certain age, the cataclysmic impact of AI has been an existential threat for more than half a century. Many of us grew up with the haunting voice of the predatory artificial intelligence, HAL, from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, resonating ominously, and dispassionately, in our ears.

The Catholic choice is true dignity

August 31, 2023

It has been just over seven years since Canadian law has permitted euthanasia and assisted suicide on demand. In those seven years restriction after restriction on euthanasia provision has fallen and now we stand on the threshold of euthanizing the mentally ill and permitting the as-yet-undefined “mature minor” to end his or her life. Euthanasia is now presented to patients as a health care option.

Lifting fire evacuees’ spirits

August 31, 2023

Art program helps displaced northerners take their minds off wildfires.

God's Word on Sunday: Fear not following Jesus, God’s will

August 31, 2023

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Sept. 3 (Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27) Jeremiah was a reluctant prophet and for a good reason. He knew that the message that he was missioned to proclaim to the people would be received badly. He knew that it would anger many people and that his life would be in grave danger.

God will resolve all the injustices

August 31, 2023

The deep-down goodness of the “average” person gives me awe. No wonder the psalmist, even after experiencing the worst human beings are capable of, exclaims: “you are gods, children of the most high, all of you” (Psalm 82:6). For, as Jesus reminded His hearers when quoting this verse (John 10:34), we’re capable of receiving the very word of God. When we lose everything else, we must hold on to this truth.