News/Canada
OTTAWA - A bill that would make it a crime to coerce a woman into having an abortion faces a rough ride in the House of Commons.During its first hour of debate Nov. 1, Rod Bruinooge’s private members’ Bill C-510 faced challenges from women MPs from the Bloc, Liberals and NDP who argued the bill would interfere with a woman’s “right to choose” abortion.
But Bruinooge, who chairs the Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus, argued his bill protects women from being threatened and coerced into ending pregnancies they choose to keep.
Canadians have mixed feelings on euthanasia, new poll shows
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News
OTTAWA - A new opinion poll shows that Canadians have a deep ambivalence when it comes to legalizing euthanasia.According to an Environics poll, while a clear majority of Canadians support euthanasia, an even larger number fear what might happen to vulnerable elderly people if it is legalized.
The poll, commissioned by LifeCanada, shows 59 per cent of Canadians support legal euthanasia but 63 per cent worry legalizing it would pressure elderly Canadians to accept it to reduce health care costs.
Bishop Monroe making strides in his recovery
By Canadian Catholic News
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Kamloops Bishop David Monroe is making a speedy recovery from a vicious assault when he was attacked Oct. 22 in the rectory of Sacred Heart Cathedral.The bishop suffered severe head and body injuries after he opened the door to the rectory to the man who attacked him.
The bishops’ sisters have been in Kamloops since hearing of the attack the next day.
Bessette clan united by saint in the family
By Carolyn Girard, Catholic Register Special
MONTREAL - It was a huge reunion for St. Brother André’s family as more than 400 relatives came from near and far to attend a Mass and special gathering at St. Joseph’s Oratory on Oct. 31 to mark the rise to sainthood of their humble brethren. It was another influx of people to an already busy shrine, which had received an estimated 9,000 pilgrims the previous day, as pilgrims were in town for an Oct. 30 celebratory Mass at Olympic Stadium in honour of St. Brother André being elevated to sainthood Oct. 17.
Montreal honours St. Brother André
By Carolyn Girard, Catholic Register Special
MONTREAL - Montreal’s Olympic Stadium came alive on Oct. 30 with nearly 50,000 scarf-waving pilgrims from across Canada and the United States attending a special Mass in celebration of Canada’s newest saint.“Brother André was convinced that God could use him to accomplish wonderful things,” said Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal, in a homily mostly delivered in French. “For many decades, people came to him as a worker of wonders. It never went to his head.”
D & P 'disturbed' by defeat of responsible mining bill
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News
OTTAWA - The defeat of a bill calling on Canadian mining companies to higher standards while operating abroad is disappointing to the Canadian bishops' development agency. The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace called it "disturbing" that the responsible mining bill was defeated in the House of Commons Oct. 27.
Canada's Immigration Minister seeks Church aid for Iraqi refugees
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
TORONTO - Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney is holding the gate open for Iraqi refugees another two years, and asking churches again for help.By extending the program aimed at Iraqi refugees, Canada could welcome another 8,000 Iraqi refugees in 2012 and 2013. They would join approximately 12,000 Iraqis who will have come to Canada between 2009 and 2011.
Addressing the churches and other faith-based sponsorship agreement holders, Kenney told a Toronto news conference, “I’m asking you to get engaged. Do more. Raise more funds. Sponsor more refugees.”
Canadian Bishops push Prime Minister for national anti-poverty strategy
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
In an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Canada’s bishops are calling for the the federal government to develop a national anti-poverty strategy.
“We invite Canadians today to join us in calling on our federal government to emulate the efforts of many provincial governments and develop a national anti-poverty strategy,” said the Oct. 15 letter from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“Today, most new wealth is going to those who already have more than enough. Inequality is increasing in Canada. The growing rich-poor gap is threatening the economic and political power of our middle class and our treasured participatory democracy.”
“We invite Canadians today to join us in calling on our federal government to emulate the efforts of many provincial governments and develop a national anti-poverty strategy,” said the Oct. 15 letter from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.“Today, most new wealth is going to those who already have more than enough. Inequality is increasing in Canada. The growing rich-poor gap is threatening the economic and political power of our middle class and our treasured participatory democracy.”
Kamloops' Bishop Monroe remains in intensive care after assault
By Laureen McMahon, Canadian Catholic NewsKAMLOOPS - Kamloops Bishop David Monroe suffered severe head and body injuries when he was attacked Oct. 22 by a man he was comforting in the rectory of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
At press time, Monroe was in serious but stable condition at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
“It was the most brutal beating I have ever seen,” said Kamloops Vicar General Msgr. Jerry Desmond, who administered the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to the bishop two hours after he was admitted to hospital.
Police were called to Sacred Heart Cathedral when the bishop was found bleeding profusely in the rectory after admitting a man apparently unknown to him. At around 10 p.m., the alleged assailant encountered a parishioner outside the cathedral next to the rectory and requested a priest. Monroe admitted the man to the rectory by the front door and led him into the kitchen.
Kamloops bishop in intensive care after beating
By Paul Schratz, Canadian Catholic News
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Kamloops Bishop David Monroe, 69, has been removed from the Intensive Care Unit of Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital, where he continues to recover after being viciously beaten at Sacred Heart Cathedral Oct. 22.Fr. Vincent Asomugha said on Oct. 24 that Monroe remains in intensive care in a "step-down unit." There is no indication when the bishop will be leaving the hospital. Reports said he suffered severe trauma to the face and head and other cuts and injuries.
"He recognizes people and can say his name but that is about it," Msgr. Jerry Desmond told the Vancouver Sun. "It's that serious."
The attack in the cathedral rectory took place about 10:15 p.m., and Kamloops RCMP arrested a 30-year-old man several hours later. He was to appear in court Oct. 25 to face assault-related charges.
Catholic aid for Pakistan flood relief hits $6 million
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
TORONTO - Canadian Catholics have raised more than $3 million to help flood victims in Pakistan while the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has been chosen to help deliver $2 million in extra emergency flood relief.The $3 million raised for Development and Peace by Oct. 13 is eligible for matching funds from the federal government, transforming it into $6 million worth of aid.
Toronto parishes played a big part in the fund-raising drive, putting $463,000 in ShareLife’s emergency relief account in time for federal matching grants. Money has continued to trickle in after the Oct. 13 deadline, and ShareLife reported $466,113 in funds for Pakistan as of Oct. 18.