NEWS

WARSAW, Poland  - The Polish archbishop who resigned after admitting he collaborated with his country's communist secret police denied claims that he failed to inform the Pope about his past.

The financial challenge in front of Canada's Catholic development agency runs deeper than money. The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is asking whether Catholics really believe in what the 40-year-old agency does.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI asked the government of Turkey to grant full legal recognition to the Catholic Church and to establish a formal dialogue with the nation's Catholic bishops to work out concrete problems.

OTTAWA - The new Liberal leader Stéphane Dion gets mixed reviews from Catholic observers who like his stress on a sustainable environment and social justice but raise concerns about his highly individualistic notion of rights. That approach could mean clashes down the road with group rights, especially those of families, religions and nationalities, they say.

TORONTO - St. Francis Table celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In honour of the celebration it will hold an appreciation luncheon Feb. 12 for all schools and people who have volunteered with the organization.

TORONTO - Archbishop Thomas Collins, Toronto's new shepherd, will be hosting numerous Masses and related events throughout the archdiocese upon his arrival in Toronto beginning Jan. 28 and running through Feb. 20.

TORONTO - Jose Martin is a labourer at a construction site in Toronto. The job does not pay much so his family — his disabled wife and three children — supplements his income with social welfare provisions. However, welfare does not cater for everything the Martins need.

TORONTO - Parishioners at St. Aidan's Anglican Church would like to bring the needy in from out of the cold, if only they could convince area neighbours of their cause.

TORONTO - Almost $3 million worth of fake receipts for fictional donations to 39 Toronto-area Catholic parishes has landed a Markham, Ont., woman in court.