The Synod on the Family begins Oct. 4 and promises to be a rather unpleasant few weeks in the life of the Church.
Jim’s death diminishes me, but also gives me strength
By Robert BrehlSome weeks ago, I mentioned an inevitable goodbye that would take place with a dear friend whom I met on the first day of Grade 9 at Neil McNeil High School in Toronto’s east end 40 years ago next week.
Philip Neri’s heritage of joy
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaWOLFE ISLAND, Ont. - One of the highlights of my summer is “Seminarian Week” on Wolfe Island.
Politicians trump people
By Peter StocklandGreen Party leader Elizabeth May made the perceptive point recently that democracy is too important to be left only to politicians. A nuance that might be added is that as a keystone of democracy, free, fair and above all vigorous elections should never become the exclusive preserve of the political actors seeking to benefit from them.
Condemned for the holy truth
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaWhen Pope Paul VI was beatified last October, his feast day was set for Sept. 26, the date of his birth in 1897, rather than the customary date of death, Aug. 6, 1978. Blessed Paul VI died on the feast of the Transfiguration, so another day for his feast had to be found, otherwise it would never be celebrated.
Pope rattles some American chains
By Robert BrehlThe pollster Gallup reports Pope Francis’ popularity in the United States has dropped significantly over the past year, fueled by his writings and teachings surrounding the environment, capitalism, income inequality and other issues.
Andrey Sheptytsky and the lions of Lviv
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaMetropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) for 44 tumultuous years, has been decreed by the Vatican to be worthy of sainthood, needing only an approved miracle for him to be beatified.
Jokes so clean they can be told in church
By Robert BrehlThe other day I was feeling sad. I had just heard the worst possible news about the health of a dear, old friend.
A blasphemous gift
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaKRAKOW, POLAND - Was the “crucifix” given to Pope Francis by Bolivian President Evo Morales — a corpus hanging on the hammer-and-sickle — blasphemous?
Faith lives on
By Peter StocklandOver breakfast recently in Parliament’s Centre Block cafeteria, a good friend and I drifted into a conversation about the evolutionary significance of death.
The health benefits of forgiveness
By Robert BrehlWe’ve heard a lot about forgiveness lately, especially the immediate forgiveness from victims’ families to the shooter in the heinous murders in a Charleston, South Carolina, church.