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October 15, 2018

Vatican pilgrims at canonization support their local 'heroes'

A man holds a banner showing new St. Nunzio Sulprizio during the canonization Mass for seven new saints celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 14. Among the new saints were St. Paul VI and St. Oscar Romero.
VATICAN CITY – As the sun rose over the Tiber River, seven banners hanging on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica depicting the church's newest saints were illuminated by the new day.
Published in International
October 14, 2018

Saints risk all to follow Jesus with love, Pope says at canonization Mass

Pope Francis prepares to greet the crowd after celebrating the canonization Mass for seven new saints in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 14. Among the newly canonized were St. Paul VI and St. Oscar Romero.
VATICAN – Carrying Pope Paul VI's pastoral staff and wearing the blood-stained belt of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, Pope Francis formally recognized them, and five others, as saints of the Catholic Church.
Published in Reflections
October 10, 2018

Vatican releases list of twelve synod members drafting final report

Cardinals wait for Pope Francis' arrival at a gathering with young people and members of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 6.
VATICAN – Twelve synod members have been named to a commission to draft the final report summarizing the discussion at the Synod of Bishops on young people. The report will be given Pope Francis.
Published in International
October 9, 2018

Robert Brehl: Will Church leaders confront awful past?

St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson meeting with Pope Benedict in 2012.

Is it possible for a Catholic bishop to not know sex with children is a crime? 

Published in Register Columnists
October 9, 2018

Vatican honours Toronto couple for their years of service to the Church

Anne and Dane MacCarthy, front row centre, were joined by family and friends as they were presented with their papal awards.

You’d almost think it wasn’t a big deal to Anne and Dane MacCarthy, the Vatican honouring the Toronto couple for their years of service to the Church.

Published in Call to Service
October 4, 2018

Archbishop Chaput urges synod to be careful with language, especially on sexuality

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia arrives for the opening session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct 3.
VATICAN  – Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia told members of the Synod of Bishops their task was to help young people understand Catholic teaching on sexuality and to avoid using terms like "LGBTQ" that make it seem as if the church categorizes people that way.
Published in International
October 3, 2018

At opening Mass, Pope Francis welcomes first ever bishops from communist China to attend synod

Young people walk away after presenting offertory gifts to Pope Francis during the opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican Oct 3. Pictured in red, Emilie Callan is one of Canada's youth observers to the synod.
VATICAN – Setting the stage for a monthlong gathering of bishops, Pope Francis urged synod fathers not to be crushed by "prophets of doom," but to be the signs of hope and joy for which today's young people yearn.
Published in International
October 1, 2018

Women must fight clericalism to heal church from abuse, Vatican publication says

A woman religious is seen with delegates during a breakout session Sept. 21 at the Fifth National Encuentro in Grapevine, Texas.
VATICAN – In response to current scandals, clericalism and the need for reform, Catholic women must take the initiative and make their voices be heard, according to a series of articles in a Vatican magazine.
Published in International
October 1, 2018

Media must build communities, not sow division, Pope says

Pope Francis is pictured on a cell phone video with Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, as he greets journalists aboard his flight from Rome to Vilnius, Lithuania, Sept. 22.
VATICAN – Christians must do more to make sure the media, especially social networks, are places of dialogue and respect for others, rather than instruments for highlighting differences and increasing divisions, said the prefect of the Vatican communications office.
Published in International
September 27, 2018

Vatican diplomat calls for universal abolition of death penalty

Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, is pictured in this July 24 photo on Capitol Hill in Washington. Archbishop Gallagher has called for a universal abolition of the death penalty.
VATICAN – Abolishing the death penalty worldwide would reflect the brave and hope-filled belief that crime can be dealt with without capital punishment and that a criminal should be given the chance to reform, a top Vatican diplomat told world leaders.
Published in International
September 25, 2018

Pope Francis ‘very moved’ by support from Canadian bishops, says nuncio

Archbishop Bonazzi, the Vatican's ambassador to Canada, told the bishops that the crisis afflicting the Church stems from what he called a crisis of communion, “a lack of unity.”

CORNWALL, Ont. – Pope Francis is grateful for the support of Canada’s bishops during this time of difficulty in the Church, said the Vatican’s ambassador to Canada.

Published in Canada
September 24, 2018

Bob Brehl: Will Vatican meeting lead to real change?

Pope Francis prepares to meet bishops during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 19.

Frustrated by the Church’s inability to defuse long-running clergy sex scandals, Pope Francis has summoned the worldwide presidents of Catholic bishops conferences to the Vatican in February to find better ways to protect children and eradicate predatory priests.

Published in Register Columnists
September 20, 2018

Editorial: Confront the past

Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with recently appointed bishops from around the world at the Vatican Sept. 13. The pope spoke about updating the processes of selection, accompaniment and evaluation of bishops.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was long, emotional and painful, but necessary as an act of a nation’s contrition after facilitating decades of abuse at residential schools. 

Published in Editorial
September 20, 2018

Apostolic visitor outlines plans to expand Medjugorje shrine for young pilgrims

Archbishop Hoser, who had been sent by the Vatican in 2017 to study the pastoral situation in Medjugorje, says he hopes more priests will come to provide sacraments and catechesis training at Medjugorje.
WARSAW, Poland – The Polish archbishop tasked with overseeing Bosnia-Herzegovina's Medjugorje shrine has outlined plans for expansion, including more Masses in different languages and facilities for young pilgrims who flock to the site of the alleged Marian apparitions.
Published in International
September 19, 2018

U2's Bono meets Pope Francis to sign charity agreement

Bono, the lead singer of U2, speaks during a news conference in the Vatican press hall after meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican Sept. 19.
VATICAN – Bono, the lead singer of the Irish band U2, said he told Pope Francis that in Ireland "it looks as though the abusers are being more protected than the victims. And you could see the pain in his face."
Published in International
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