Register Columnists

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, attend a church-mediated dialogue session in Managua May 16.

Robert Brehl: Nicaragua's Ortega has become the tyrant he once opposed

Thirty years ago I was in Nicaragua as Daniel Ortega’s first presidency was approaching its best-before date. Apart from a trip to the Holy Land, it was the most inspirational trip of my life because of the people I met, the hardships they endured at the hands of the Americans, and the hopes and dreams that filled their hearts.

By Robert Brehl

God's word on Sunday: We can foster growth of God’s kingdom

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 17 (Year B) Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J

Traditional dancing has experienced an enormous revival across Canada as Indigenous Canadians rediscover their roots and culture.

Glen Argan: Reconciliation by traditional dance

Words are rarely enough. Actions speak louder than words. When we want to restore a broken relationship, a simple “I’m sorry” or even a long, detailed apology may not suffice. More is required.

By Glen Argan

In the movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth tale, Ian McKellen stars as Gandalf, who has been likened to a Christ figure in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo: At the core of Tolkien is a dedication to faith

It’s big news for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien that Amazon has made a billion-dollar commitment to bring to television a five-season series based on the epic Lord of the Rings fantasy saga.

By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic Register

Rally against Kinder Morgan oil pipeline on Burnaby Mountain, 2014.

Luke Stocking: Church must start piping up on pipelines

For the sake of the planet, the rights of Indigenous peoples and the future, the Catholic Church in Canada spoke out against the pipeline.

By Luke Stocking

God's word on Sunday: Healing starts with leaving fear behind

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 10 (Year B) Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35

By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J

Demonstrators march for more liberal Irish abortion laws in 2013 in Dublin. The May 25 referendum vote favoured abortion.

Peter Stockland: Irish turn their backs on faith and history

If tradition is the democracy of the dead, as G.K. Chesterton famously said, surely abortion has become a tyranny of the living over life past and future.

By Peter Stockland

“Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae and the subsequent ‘theology of the body’ developed by Pope John Paul II issue an immense challenge to a world that is too often occupied with protecting itself against the extraordinary life potential of sexuality,” the Canadian bishops wrote during Humanae Vitae's 40th anniversary in 2008.

Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: Humanae Vitae’s vision still as relevant as ever

Next month will mark the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the 1968 encyclical of Blessed Paul VI which reaffirmed the immorality of contraception at a time when many in the Church and the world expected a change.

By Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

A scene from the 1960 movie, "Village of the Damned"

Charles Lewis: Shadows of another time continue to haunt us

When I was a child I watched a movie called Village of the Damned. It was creepy and scary.

By Charles Lewis

"How do we find re-creation? We may not even recognize we need it, especially in a society addicted to only doing. Yet the world is teeming with opportunities for re-creation and we can find it in surprisingly many ways," Marrocco writes.

Questioning Faith: Discovering our moments of re-creation

Driving with a young friend, I was not surprised that she had the car window completely down and her face turned towards the breeze on one of these finally-gentle days of spring. I enjoyed her enjoyment of the sweet fresh air sweeping in.