News/Canada

Euthanasia no way to promote human rights, dignity, coalition argues

Killing off the old, the infirm and the disabled won’t promote the human rights, dignity or freedom of anybody, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition argues in a factum submitted to the Supreme Court of Canada Aug. 28.

International Development Minister Christian Paradis announces an aid package for displaced Iraqis Aug. 29; the same day Development and Peace received a $1 million grant for Iraqi aid.

D&P receives $1 million in aid to help displaced Iraqis

By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News

OTTAWA - The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada is giving $1 million to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace to help displaced Iraqis.

Anti-euthanasia groups focus on court challenge

By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register

With the Supreme Court of Canada preparing to hear arguments on assisted suicide in October, Quebec's anti-euthanasia doctors have no time to win public support for their cause. All their energy is focused on persuading Supreme Court judges.

Br. Paul Desmarais sees his work with small farmers in terms of Jesuit priorities. Over the past 40 years Jesuits have taken on the status of women, justice and ecology as central to their mission. Most African farmers are women. Giving them education and tools for a better livelihood raises them out of poverty and organic farming methods protect the natural environment.

Jesuits turn back clock on farming methods

By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register

Nineteenth-century missionaries arrived in Africa with a Bible in one hand and a plough in the other. Jesuit Brother Paul Desmarais still has a Bible, but he’s given up on the plough.

Rolland Chidiac, Waterloo Catholic’s first Google Certified Teacher.

Google-certified teacher takes learning to a new level

By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic Register

Grade 2 teacher Rolland Chidiac is now certified to teach students to Google it.

A University of Ottawa student’s master’s thesis arguing there should be a trial period for marriage has not gained much traction among many Catholics. Most see it as contrary to one of the basic elements of marriage — that those entering into a marriage have an intention of permanence.

Nothing short-term about marriage

By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic Register

A proposal that marriages should have a trial period has received a lot of media attention but the notion runs afoul of what marriage is all about, particularly for Catholics.

Regina latest diocese to launch diaconate program

By Frank Flegel, Canadian Catholic News

REGINA - The Archdiocese of Regina has launched its inaugural diaconate course, with 10 men taking their first steps towards becoming permanent deacons.

Medical association vows to protect conscience rights

By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register

The Canadian Medical Association has passed a new policy on conscience rights that supports a doctor’s right to choose whether or not to help patients commit suicide in jurisdictions where it may become legal.

Mayor Hazel McCallion received the Catholic Award of Merit from DPCDSB at the August 26 board meeting (Director of Education, John Kostoff to the left and Chair, Mario Pascucci to the right). The Dufferin-Peel Catholic Award of Merit is presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and Catholic education.

Dufferin-Peel Catholic board honours Mayor Hazel McCallion

By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic Register

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. - Dufferin-Peel's Catholic school board honoured Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion with its Catholic Award of Merit for her years of dedication to Catholic education and its community.

Deacon Dan Murphy, with his wife, Jean. Deacon Murphy was a member of the first class of deacons for the Archdiocese of Toronto. He died Aug. 21.

Dan Murphy blazed a trail for Toronto deacons

By Ruane Remy, The Catholic Register

Updated 08/26/14

Toronto - Deacon Daniel Patrick Murphy was a pioneer in the Archdiocese of Toronto. As a member of the inaugural class of deacons in the archdiocese, ordained a permanent deacon in 1974, he helped shape how the Catholic community perceived its first deacons. He died on Aug. 21, at age 86.