March 2026

Editorial

ShareLife: charity in truth

March 12, 2026

The heart of that doctrine, that synthesis of the Law, is what we celebrate this week in marking the 50thanniversary of ShareLife, the charitable fundraising arm of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Culture à la Carte

Kids need reading, not techno toys

Sr. Helena Burns · March 12, 2026

Thank God more and more school boards, individual schools and universities effectively banning cell phone/headphones in classrooms. Why Because Gen Z (born c. 2000-2013), and even more so, Gen Alpha (born c. 2013-2025) can’t read or write, and they don’t want to learn how.

Mapping the Mediaeval World at St. Michael's College

Catholic Register Staff · March 12, 2026

St. Michael’s College maps out April 11 as a day to better understand the Medieval world.

The Mustard Seed

Only non-violence offers real solutions

Glen Argan · March 12, 2026

After Socrates was sentenced to death for teaching the young people of Athens to ask questions of their elders, his followers offered him various ways to escape drinking the hemlock. Socrates wouldn’t go along. He instead asked the question he had asked many times before, “Is it worse to suffer harm or to do harm to others?” He was unequivocal: you do more harm to yourself if you do evil than if you let someone else harm you.

Pope Leo XIV meets with evacuated Tehran cardinal as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continue

Courtney Mares · March 12, 2026

Pope Leo XIV met privately March 11 with the cardinal archbishop of Tehran after the Belgian-born prelate was evacuated from Iran amid U.S. and Israeli military strikes on the country.

Spotlight-shy Pocock's legacy cemented in ShareLife

Archbishop set the standard that lasts to this day

Quinton Amundson · March 12, 2026

A scholarly immersion into the life of the late Toronto Archbishop Philip Pocock (1906-1984) has convinced Dr. Peter Meehan of his place as one of the greatest unsung figures in archdiocesan history.

ShareLife is more than a collection

It’s about bringing the Gospel to life

Catholic Register Special · March 12, 2026

It was in January 2005 that I began my role as Executive Director of ShareLife. Early on, I realized that if I was going to promote the work of these agencies, I needed to know them firsthand.

Violence a daily reality in Catholic schools

OECTA survey details ‘new normal’ facing teachers

Luke Mandato · March 12, 2026

A new survey of Ontario Catholic teachers reveals alarming levels of workplace violence and harassment, with nine in 10 having experienced or witnessed some form of either in the past year.

Social isolation on rise in congregations, study shows

New challenge facing Canadian faith communities

Quinton Amundson · March 12, 2026

Canadian Christian clergy and church leaders estimate approximately 20 per cent of their congregants are experiencing social isolation and loneliness, a new study shows.

B.C. government announces bubble zones for places of worship and schools

B.C. Catholic · March 12, 2026

The B.C. government says it plans to introduce legislation creating protest buffer zones around schools and places of worship.

Bill C-9 poised for third reading this month

Protections remain in doubt as hate bill clears key hurdle

Quinton Amundson · March 12, 2026

By a majority 5-4 vote, Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, proceeded out of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on March 11 and was reported back to the House of Commons.

Neuroscience points to the soul’s existence

Ida Gazzola · March 13, 2026

In an age when some philosophical materialists believe nothing exists beyond matter, Dr. David Neima says neuroscience points in another direction.

Church on the Street

Finding grains of hope on the winter streets

Dcn. Robert Kinghorn · March 14, 2026

The winter snow was still lying fresh on the ground as I made my way once again to the downtown streets. Fortunately, the new fall of snow had taken a bit of the chill out of the air and as I hit the streets there was a noticeable resurgence in the numbers who were out braving the cold.

Figure of Speech

Time to stop paying lip service to half-truths

Gerry Turcotte · March 14, 2026

Merriam-Webster defines a pet peeve as “a frequent subject of complaint.” It defines half-truths as “a statement only partially true.” My pet peeve is half-truths!

Pope Leo XIV calls for Middle East ceasefire

Junno Arocho Esteves · March 16, 2026

Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and condemned the "atrocious violence" of the U.S.-Israeli-led war on Iran, which has spread across the region.

God's name can never be used to justify 'absurd' pursuit of war, Pope Leo says

Carol Glatz · March 16, 2026

Believing problems and differences can be resolved with war is absurd, Pope Leo XIV said, chastising those who use God's name in their dark and deadly pursuits.

Christians in Holy Land face further despair, suffering, Latin Patriarchate official says

Pope Leo briefed by phone on violence, worsening conditions throughout Holy Land

Junno Arocho Esteves · March 16, 2026

As retaliatory strikes from Iran, as well as from Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, continued, people in the Holy Land -- especially Christians -- face a dire present and an uncertain future.

Scholar delves into missionary's Wendat past

Quinton Amundson · March 16, 2026

The life story of François Gendron (1618-1668), a French surgeon who served the Jesuit mission to the Wendat from 1643 to 1649 utterly captivated University of Alberta professor Micah True.

Fr. Lobo intends to build on Companions' past

Ottawa native to lead hometown order

Luke Mandato · March 16, 2026

Fr. Simon Lobo is ready to lead the Companions of the Cross into its next chapter of evangelization.

Carparelli's vision remains at heart of Caritas

Founder priest releasing book outlining four decades of service to the addicted

Luke Mandato · March 16, 2026

It’s been 40 years since Fr. Gianni Carparelli had a conversation with a mother searching for an answer to her son’s struggle with addiction that would lead to his founding of the Caritas School of Life.