Papal visit to Canada remains off the table
OTTAWA -- Those hoping a recent change in the leadership of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) would lead to a change of heart about Pope Francis visiting Canada to apologize for the Church’s role in Canada’s former residential school system for Indigenous People will have to wait longer for that to happen.
U.S. bishops urged to raise nuclear alarm
While Canada’s bishops have strongly backed Pope Francis on nuclear disarmament, Americans are unlikely to hear from their bishops anytime soon on what the U.S. should do with its 1,600 deployed nuclear warheads, the executive director of Pax Christi USA told The Catholic Register.
Gagnon steps into a balancing act as CCCB president
OTTAWA -- Like anyone starting a new job, Winnipeg Archbishop Richard Gagnon concedes there is going to be a learning curve involved as he settles into his new role as president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) for the next two years.
Pressure on the rise for end-of-life needs
OTTAWA -- The Catholic Church is doubling down on its efforts to encourage increased government and societal support for palliative care as the best way to help Canadians experience a “dignified natural death” as a barrage of Canadian court decisions continue to chip away at the safeguards surrounding assisted suicide in the country.
Spread the Word, bishops told
CORNWALL, ONT. -- The president of the Pontifical Mission Societies is urging Canada’s Catholic bishops to proclaim the Gospel without fear.
Big plans to mark 50 years of diplomacy
CORNWALL,ONT. -- Celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Holy See will include a visit from a high-ranking Vatican official sometime in the coming year, the apostolic nuncio told Canada’s bishops Sept. 23.
‘Emerging level of angst’ about religious freedom
CORNWALL, Ont. -- Religious persecution always has a starting point, a trajectory and like cancer it needs early detection and diagnosis, an Evangelical leader told Canada’s Catholic bishops.
Married priests not a priority item
OTTAWA -- Although the question of married priests to serve remote regions of the Amazon has monopolized headlines prior to the upcoming Synod of Bishops, it is not a priority issue, said a Canadian bishop who will participate in the synod.
Canadian bishops vow to keep up work on abuse
CORNWALL, ONT. -- As a new team of leaders takes the helm of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), it is vowing to continue the work in combatting sexual abuse.
Bishops demand action on nuclear treaty
Canada’s Catholic bishops are demanding that whoever forms the next government signs the nuclear weapons ban treaty and push NATO to denuclearize its military strategy.
Development and Peace suffering, says ex-president
MONTREAL -- The former president of Development and Peace said the Catholic bishops’ attitude toward their charitable agency is hurting its membership and credibility.
Bishops grapple with ‘moral setbacks’ at plenary
CORNWALL, ONT. -- Religious persecution, the continuing fallout from past sexual abuse, reconciliation with First Nations and an ongoing commitment to “our missionary zeal” were among the grand themes that emerged at the annual plenary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
Ordaining married men not a ‘focused’ issue
CORNWALL, Ont. -- Canada’s bishops will monitor next month’s Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, but the issue of ordaining married men is not a priority for bishops here, said Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg.
Bishops-D&P review ready for next stage
OTTAWA -- A review by Canada’s bishops of Development and Peace that arose from allegations the agency was aligned with some questionable partners is completed and will be presented by the end of September.
Clerical abuse of women religious condemned
OTTAWA - Canada’s Catholic bishops and religious men and women have condemned the clerical abuse of women religious in the wake of a French documentary that was aired on television in Quebec.