News/Canada
![Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae receives a basket for mothers at a May 4 maternal and child health event on Parliament Hill. (Photo by Deborah Gyapong) Bob Rae](/images/stories/canada/canada10/raebasket.jpg)
Speaking to a coalition of nine major non-governmental organizations on May 4, Rae first lauded initiatives to provide basic health care for women and children, but then said he must remain consistent by bringing up “reproductive and sexual health” and a “woman’s right to choose.”
KAIROS reapplies for CIDA funding
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register![KAIROS executive director Mary Corkery Mary Corkery](/images/stories/canada/canada10/corkerymary.jpg)
KAIROS has reapplied to the Canadian International Development Agency to restore some of the funding that was cut off Nov. 30. At the time CIDA officials claimed KAIROS’ regular five-year funding agreement was rejected because the church-based group’s international program no longer fit CIDA priorities. However, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney told a conference in Jerusalem his government had cut KAIROS funding because it supported anti-Semitism.
Northern bishop Chatlain takes time to learn aboriginal reality
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic Register![Mackenzie-Fort Smith Bishop Murray Chatlain Mackenzie-Fort Smith Bishop Murray Chatlain](/images/stories/canada_bishops/chatlain.jpg)
Chatlain, who took charge of the diocese two years ago, was in Toronto April 21 to speak about its needs at the annual Tastes of Heaven gala dinner hosted by Catholic Missions In Canada.
Chatlain said the approach of the Church in the north has significantly changed. The Church promotes the use of aboriginal culture and language rather than trying to eradicate it like some priests and religious had done in the past. This requires clergy and lay missionaries to understand what they’re getting into.
Abortion is not on Canada's maternal health plan plate
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News![Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the federal Conservatives are sticking to their guns on not including abortion in the G8 maternal health initiative, despite Opposition and foreign government pressure. (Photo by Deborah Gyapong) Prime Minister Stephen Harper](/images/stories/canada/canada10/HarperFlags.jpg)
“Canadians want to see the foreign aid money used for things to help save the lives of women and children in ways that unite the Canadian people,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said April 27 in response to a question from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff who accused the government of reversing Canada’s 25-year-old “consensus” on the issue.
Hope running out for Iraqi Christians
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register![Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J. Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J.](/images/stories/canada_bishops/prendergast08.jpg)
“We have to create a climate now for the Christians to stay, for the Christians to go back to Iraq and go back to the villages in Galilee. That’s the hope,” said Prendergast.
Euthanasia bill defeated in House of Commons
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News![Euthanasia](/images/stories/misc/euthanasia.jpg)
Bloc Quebecois MP ’s private member’s Bill C-384 went down to a resounding defeat April 21 by a vote of 228 to 59.
All save one Bloc Quebecois MP supported the motion, while all the Conservatives present, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, voted against it. Most Liberals and NDP MPs also voted against the bill, including NDP Leader Jack Layton. Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was not in the House for the vote, but told journalists earlier in the day he did not support it.
Conservatives won't support abortion coercion bill
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News![Winnipeg South MP Rod Bruinooge, a Conservative backbencher who chairs the Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus Rod Bruinooge](/images/stories/canada/canada10/Bruinooge.jpg)
The Winnipeg South MP, who chairs the all-party Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus, introduced Bill C-510 into the House of Commons April 14. The Conservative backbencher told journalists the next day he had support from members of other parties as well as from within Tory ranks.
Archdiocese of Toronto to review, update abuse protocol
By Catholic Register Staff![Archbishop Thomas Collins Archbishop Collins](/images/stories/canada_bishops/collinsMiter.jpg)
Archbishop Thomas Collins made the announcement through a letter read during the homily at Masses in parishes throughout the archdiocese the weekend of April 17-18.
Cardinal Bertone sees link between homosexuality, pedophilia
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service![Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Bertone](/images/stories/international/international10/CardinalBertone.jpg)
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was visiting Chile April 6-12 to participate in events marking the country’s bicentennial and to demonstrate Pope Benedict XVI’s solidarity with victims of a Feb. 27 earthquake, made the remarks to reporters in Santiago.
Canadian bishops share concerns on abuse
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News![CCCB](/images/stories/logos/logos10/CCCB_logo.jpg)
The survey, conducted by Ispos Reid, also said eight per cent of Canadians over 18 claim to personally know someone sexually assaulted by a priest. However, 37 per cent of Catholics believe Pope Benedict XVI is being unfairly targeted and 80 per cent believe the proportion of abuser priests is small.
Letter from Pembroke bishop doesn't indicate a cover-up of sex abuse complaint
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News![Former Msgr. Bernard Prince Bernard Prince](/images/stories/canada/canada10/princeBernard.jpg)
Attorney Charles Gibson was responding to recent publication of details from a 1993 letter sent from the Pembroke bishop to the Vatican’s ambassador. Media reports suggested the letter showed there was a high-level church cover-up to avoid scandal.