Features
TORONTO - The average full-time elementary school teacher in Ontario’s Catholic system is putting in a 55.7-hour work week, and what counts as a part-time teaching job averages 36.8 hours per week, according to a new study commissioned by the teachers’ union.
Social justice commitment marked Kennedy’s stay at OECTA
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
TORONTO - Special education, religion and history teacher Donna Marie Kennedy is leaving her current job as president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association with the conviction that social justice is the cornerstone of her union’s existence.
On Catholic fundamentalism
By Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP
“The opposite of ‘Catholic’ is not ‘Protestant’, but rather ‘sectarian,’ ” says Jesuit Father Mark Massa, co-director of the Curran Centre for American Catholic Studies at Fordham University in New York City.
The other side of the euthanasia coin
By Joe Sinasac, CR Editor and Publisher
In the growing debate over euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide, one significant argument has too often been missing in action. In church circles at least, we forget to show the very human side of those most affected by any expansion of euthanasia.
‘Designer embryos’ an attack on life
By Catholic Register Staff
Pope Benedict XVI denounced the high-tech trend that encourages parents to seek the “perfect child” through genetic selection.
Politicians challenged over rising poverty
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterChildren won’t be lifted out of poverty in Ontario unless politicians start committing to reduce poverty rates that have remained stubbornly high despite a booming economy, Campaign 2000 declared with the release of yet another Report Card on Child Poverty in Ontario.
Public education should respect all religions
By Peter D. Lauwers, Catholic Register Special{mosimage}Editor’s note: With the growth of ethnic and religious diversity in Canada, there is a growing debate over religious education and whether it should be supported with tax dollars. In this essay, Peter Lauwers analyses the debate and offers a cogent argument for state funding of religious education.
Report sets stage for closer relations between Catholics, Anglicans
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Church unity hasn’t happened yet, but Catholics and Anglicans have a new list of concrete suggestions for ways to bring the two churches closer.
Conservative promises school funding will be election issue
By Catholic Register Staff
TORONTO - Which religious traditions get support from publicly funded schools is going to be an issue in Ontario’s Oct. 10 election, promises Ontario Progressive Conservative education critic Frank Klees.New chancellor at St. Jerome’s
By Natalie Guadagnoli, The Catholic Register
St. Jerome’s University has appointed Dr. Peter Naus as its next chancellor.
Toronto schools embrace EcoSchools program
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
TORONTO - Anna Zappone stands less than four feet tall holding a beach-ball sized model of the Earth and its atmosphere. She’s no scientist, yet. But she’s figured out a thing or two about global climate change.