News/Canada

OTTAWA - Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast’s decree no longer allowing eulogies during Catholic funeral Masses has created a stir, but he says he is happy for the teaching opportunities.

OTTAWA - The Liberal Party’s approval of a pro-euthanasia resolution at its Montreal policy convention Feb. 23 reveals the Quebec governments’ arguments in support of euthanasia Bill-52 have gained national traction.

TORONTO - As Toronto’s Ukrainians woke up to news that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was on the run in eastern Ukraine after parliament had voted him out of office and that national elections are scheduled for May 25, they gathered to pray. At Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church all three Divine Liturgies on Feb. 23 included special, added prayers for the future of Ukraine.

OTTAWA - When Andrew Bennett became Canada’s first religious freedom ambassador a year ago, he placed an icon of Blessed Vasyl Velichkovsky on his desk.

How Canadians end their lives and whether we need a national plan for the health care of dying Canadians will be debated in Parliament at the beginning of April.

The federal government spent $30 million in 2012 and 2013 to convince Canadians the War of 1812 was a glorious, defining moment which forged Canada’s identity in war. The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in Kingston, Ont., aren’t buying it.

The fate of refugees and the struggles of immigrants in general is on the agenda for Canada’s Catholic bishops, but the bishops are steering clear of a national campaign supported by several church and lay groups which has been critical of the government’s record on refugee rights.

The Supreme Court has given Canadians a year to figure out how they want to deal with prostitution and so far the answers have ranged from nothing to police crackdowns and new criminal laws.

OTTAWA - Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller has asked the British Columbia government to reconsider its decision not to prosecute Canada’s prostitution laws.

OTTAWA - Negative remarks from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have social conservative groups concerned the Tories might abandon a key promise in their 2011 election campaign to allow income splitting for families.