Robert Brehl is a writer in Port Credit, Ont.

Skipping love and marriage and going straight to the baby carriage is a growing phenomenon with a myriad of websites popping up over the last few years that link adults who want children, but not romance.

Bob Brehl: The social times have been a-changin’

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When told this issue of The Register would be dedicated to not only a year in review, but a decade in review, the idea immediately intrigued me.

Bob Brehl: 'The Two Popes' just what Church needs

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The Two Popes is an entertaining movie that is well-acted, well-written and visually appealing, especially when considering most of the movie is about two old men in frocks verbally jousting over weighty issues. But, make no mistake, it is a drama with lots of humour sprinkled in, not a documentary.

Bob Brehl: Optimism has been taking a beating

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More than a decade ago, I worked with Ted Rogers in writing his memoirs. Recently, I’ve been asked to help revive stories of him to the younger generation who know the name Rogers solely as the corporate brand of the phone in their pockets.

Bob Brehl: Eucharist ‘is not a prize for the perfect’

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Denying the Eucharist to U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden out on the hustings last month set off new “wafer wars” that spilled across the border, rekindling painful memories for at least one Canadian politician.

Bob Brehl: Courts must adjust to tech advances

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Every day, we’re bombarded with the virtues of technology — from quantum leaps in health care to helping police solve crimes to simple conveniences enjoyed by holding more computing power in our hands than what was used to put humans on the moon.

Bob Brehl: Election sparks social media silliness

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As we near the end of the election campaign, many comments on social media remind me of something Mark Twain wrote 112 years ago: “I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man’s reasoning powers are not above the monkey’s.”

Bob Brehl: ‘Nones’ of a different kind on the rise

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Church attendance is waning and religious non-affiliation is waxing. That’s hardly news. Observe the empty pews.

Bob Brehl: Thoughts and prayers … but no action

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Over the Labour Day weekend, there sure were a lot of U.S. politicians conveying their “thoughts and prayers” for the victims and their families of the latest mass shooting, but no visible action on doing anything about the American gun epidemic.

Bob Brehl: Lessons from nuns’ slave-owning past

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Scores of Catholic nuns bought, sold and bartered enslaved people in 19th century America, The New York Times unveiled in a fascinating in-depth account written by New York University professor Rachel Swarns.

Bob Brehl: Devil is in the details for civil discourse

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At a recent barbeque, I was telling a long-time friend about a Colombian bishop who planned to exorcise his crime-ridden city of demons by dropping holy water from a helicopter.