July 2024

Armless, yet still able to touch thousands

Words, resilience allow John Foppe to reach people

Quinton Amundson · July 1, 2024

Joni Eareckson Tada, an evangelical who founded the organization Joni and Friends in 1979 with a mission of “accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community,” once spoke about how God “uses affliction like a hammer and chisel, chipping and cutting to reveal His image in you.”

Pope Francis praises release of two Ukrainian priests from Russian captivity

Justin McLellan · July 2, 2024

Pope Francis prayed in thanksgiving for the release of two Ukrainian Catholic priests who were held in Russian captivity for more than 19 months, calling on Christians to pray for the release of all prisoners of war.

Alberta church transformation complete

Strathmore parish finds new home in converted grocery store

Quinton Amundson · July 2, 2024

During one of the family road trips westward from Medicine Hat to Calgary, Fr. Cristino Bouvette said he could faintly recall pit-stopping at the IGA marketplace on 4th Avenue in Strathmore.

Heritage plaque honours Brampton Catholic co-op

Luke Mandato · July 2, 2024

The site of one of Ontario’s first-ever cooperative housing projects received a special blessing alongside its newly installed commemorative plaque that marked 68 years since the initial blessing of the site's constructors by Bishop Francis Marrocco.

Defrocked Montreal priest denied parole

But convicted sex offender Brian Boucher eligible for statutory release this month

Anna Farrow · July 2, 2024

Former Montreal priest and convicted sex offender Brian Boucher remains unrepentant as he prepares to leave prison this month, says the bishop instrumental is bringing him to justice.

Judge says effort to shut down Catholic ministry to migrants violates Texas' religious freedom act

Kate Scanlon · July 2, 2024

A state judge July 2 denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's effort to shut down Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, a Catholic nonprofit serving migrants.

Canadian Sister Marie-Leonie Paradis to be canonized on Oct. 20

Canadian Catholic News · July 3, 2024

Canadian Sister Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis, founder of the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family of Sherbrooke, will be declared a saint on Oct. 20.

ShareLife almost two-thirds of the way to its 2024 goal

Quinton Amundson · July 3, 2024

As of June 18, the ShareLife parish campaign has accumulated $8.62 million, 62 per cent of its over $14-million goal.

Edmonton's Newman College 'stronger' after Dr. West's tenure

After 12 years, president stepping down

Quinton Amundson · July 4, 2024

Dr. Jason West has decided to resign after a 12-year presidency, the longest in the history of Newman Theological College in Edmonton.

Clergy offered administration training

Program offers skillset too often learned on the job

Quinton Amundson · July 4, 2024

Parish priests wear many hats in a given week: they are homilists, sacramental celebrants, office administrators, fiscal overseers, volunteer recruiters and events logistics managers.

Halifax heritage church's future in flux, closed due to structural issues

St. Patrick's closed due to structural issues, archdiocese decision

Luke Mandato · July 4, 2024

While St. Patrick’s Church in Halifax remains closed due to structural concerns, parish and community members are still waiting with bated breath for an official decision that will decide the fate of the property.

Doctors rise up to fight Nova Scotia MAiD law

New rules violate conscience rights, will increase physician shortage, critics argue

Quinton Amundson · July 4, 2024

The Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) of Canada, along with more than 40 Nova Scotia medical practitioners and 10 Dalhousie medical school graduates, have urged the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) to renege on a new policy they believe violates their conscience rights.

South Asian Catholic organization marks 50 years in Canada

Susan Korah · July 6, 2024

While united in faith, Canadian Catholics reflect the diversity of the nation. And Catholics who trace their roots to the South Asian sub-continent enrich the cultural mosaic of the Canadian Catholic population of nearly 11 million (2021 census) while benefiting from the freedom to practise their religion in safety and peace.

Vatican excommunicates Archbishop Viganò, found guilty of schism

Carol Glatz · July 8, 2024

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former nuncio to the United States, has been excommunicated after being found guilty of schism, the Vatican said.

Bill comes due in St. John's: $104 million for abuse victims

Quinton Amundson · July 8, 2024

The Archdiocese of St. John’s must pay over $104 million to 292 survivors of abuse at the Mount Cashel Orphanage during the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s or at the hands of archdiocesan clergy.

Cardinal Nichols congratulates new British prime minister after Keir Starmer moves into 10 Downing Street

OSV News · July 8, 2024

After a landslide victory for Labour party in July 4 elections in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer moved into 10 Downing Street and was congratulated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, who offered his prayers as the Labour leader forms a new government.

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemns Israeli army strike on Catholic school

OSV News · July 8, 2024

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a strong condemnation after four people, including a senior Hamas official, were killed in a reported Israeli military attack at a Catholic school in Gaza.

Shevchuk condemns Russian attack on Kyiv children's hospital

Gina Christian · July 8, 2024

A July 8 attack by Russia on a children's hospital and other civilian targets throughout Ukraine is "a sin that cries out to heaven for revenge," said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Synod document seeks responses to welcoming, serving everyone

Carol Glatz · July 9, 2024

The working document for the October assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality has called for responses to how all the baptized can better serve the Catholic Church and help heal humanity's "deepest wounds."

Virtual courses from Dayton U available at discount to Toronto Catholics

Luke Mandato · July 9, 2024

As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Formation for Discipleship, the University of Dayton in Ohio has released a number of new courses in conjunction with its Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) program.