OTTAWA - Six northern Canadian dioceses face immense financial, social and personnel challenges that could become more pronounced due to a looming change in status from missionary to normal dioceses, according to their bishops.
Vaccination objections on the rise in Ontario
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterA 50-per-cent increase in the percentage of parents making religious or conscientious objections to getting their kids vaccinated could translate into an extra 10,000 unvaccinated children in Ontario’s public and Catholic school systems, a new study shows.
St. Vincent de Paul parish undergoes 100-year revival
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - On the evening of Aug. 4, 1914, news of Britain declaring war on Germany had just reached Toronto. While the city buzzed with tension and excitement, a group of men were meeting Fr. Lancelot Minehan in the basement of St. Helen’s Church to talk about forming a new parish in the growing suburban neighbourhood on Roncesvalles Avenue in the city’s west end.
Canada’s bishops urge invoking notwithstanding clause on assisted suicide
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Canada’s Catholic bishops called unanimously Sept. 18 for the federal government to invoke the notwithstanding clause in response to the Supreme Court’s Feb. 6 Carter decision on euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Saint Thomas' Christians get a new bishop
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterCanada’s 35,000 Catholic Saint Thomas Christians will have a bishop of their own as of lunchtime Saturday, Sept. 18.
Catholic bishops, organizations join forces to help Syrian refugees
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - For the first time, several Catholic aid agencies are joining with the Canadian bishops to mount a joint appeal to raise funds to help Syrian refugees.
Mary’s mercy behind annulment changes
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterPope Francis never claimed to be a canon lawyer, but he knows Mary and he knows mercy. Mary and mercy are the keys to understanding the first major reform in the Church’s marriage laws since 1741 and the first changes to the Code of Canon Law under Pope Francis, said the only North American among 12 canon lawyers consulted on changes to Church marriage annulments.
New abuse guidelines will make Canadian bishops more accountable
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsCORNWALL, Ont. - Canada's bishops will face greater accountability under new guidelines that highlight healing in cases of sexual abuse of minors.
At St. Patrick’s, many families can be traced back to parish origins
By Andrew Philips, Catholic Register SpecialPHELPSTON, ONT. - A priest who once celebrated Mass at Phelpston’s St. Patrick’s parish understood the power of radio long before televangelists sought the spotlight stateside.
Canada’s bishops need to challenge ‘cultural mindset’ on assisted suicide
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsCORNWALL, ONT. - Bishops need to speak out to emphasize that euthanasia and assisted suicide are “morally reprehensible,” Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith told colleagues at the annual meeting of Canadian bishops.
Lectio divina hits the road
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Cardinal Thomas Collins is taking his Lectio divina series across the Greater Toronto Area this year.