News | The Catholic Register

Recent News from Canada

Knuckles Nilan Website

Habs’ legend drops gloves in aid of Montreal parish

From the penalty boxes of NHL arenas to parish halls, infamous hockey tough-guy and Stanley Cup champion Chris Nilan will join parishioners of St. John Brébeuf in LaSalle, Que., Jan. 9 for an evening of fellowship and fundraising towards the church’s roof fund.

Sacred Covenant marks first year of ‘walking together’

As Canadian Catholics see the year 2025 to a close, the Church on Canada’s western shores looked back on 2025 as a significant moment in reconciliation history.

Rise Up at 25: still encountering Jesus

Twenty-five years removed from launching its flagship Rise Up conference, Catholic Christian Outreach continues to draw impressive numbers of young adults to the annual event, many still hungry for the life-changing New Year's gathering and encounter with Jesus.

SSVP fights adversity to support North of 60

An expected Christmastime delivery to the remote Fort Good Hope in the Northwest Territories’ Sahtu region will conclude the 16th year of the North of 60 initiative in western Canada.

Cathedral Mass will bring Jubilee year to a close in Toronto

Canadian Christian agencies sound alarm on declining aid

CCCB ecumenical strategy already in action

Indigenous council calls for promotion of equity for national day of prayer

Loreto Crypt gives 'little souls' a final resting place

Mississauga's Holy Name of Mary College to close

The reward was in the service

Bill C-9 debate pushed into new year

A faithful Canadian is an involved one

International News

OSV News photo/Sodiq Adelakun, Reuters

U.S. strikes are freeing Christians from bondage, Nigerians say

Nigerian Catholic priest Fr. Oliver Ortese characterized the U.S. military airstrikes on Islamic State terrorist targets in Sokoto state on Christmas Day as “Christians being freed from bondage.”

US strikes Nigeria targeting Islamic extremists to 'stop the slaughtering of Christians,' says Trump

The U.S. has carried out a deadly Dec. 25 strike in northwestern Nigeria, with President Donald Trump stating the attack targeted Islamic State group terrorists who persecuted Christians in that nation.

All children kidnapped from Nigeria Catholic school will be home for Christmas

Catholics in northwestern Nigeria are celebrating just days before Christmas, as the last group of students kidnapped from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri has been freed.

Approximately 50 Planned Parenthood clinics closed in 2025, report says

Approximately 50 Planned Parenthood clinics closed in 2025 as the group lost its ability to bill Medicaid, according to a report by the nation's largest abortion provider.

Nobel laureate’s freedom ‘a miracle from God’

Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai convicted in 'farce' national security trial

Updated

'Enough' of antisemitic violence, say Pope Leo, archbishop after Australia attack

Pope Leo condemns 'antisemitic violence,' 'terrorist massacre' in Sydney

Vatican News

As Holy Doors close, cardinals emphasize God's arms are always open

The path to conversion, the door to God's mercy and the call to live in Christian hope all continue beyond the Jubilee Year, said the three cardinals who closed the Holy Doors at three major basilicas in Rome.

CNS photo/Lola Gomez

Open your hearts to baby Jesus and one another, Pope Leo says on Christmas

Jesus entering the world as a little baby in need of everything is a sign of God's solidarity with every person in need, longing for love and a helping hand, Pope Leo XIV said at Christmas morning Mass.

Pope Leo encourages priests to share responsibilities with laity

At a time when so much pressure and so many demands are placed on priests, they should find support, freedom and relief in recognizing the gifts of laypeople and collaborating with them, Pope Leo XIV said.

Pope Leo, Israeli president speak by phone about Sydney attack, peace in Gaza

Pope Leo XIV and Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke by telephone Dec. 17, just days after a terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Australia led to the deaths of 15 people.