It’s difficult to find anything more perplexing than the tragic shooting death of teenager Sammy Yatim, the former Brebeuf College School student. It has caused a great gulf in the community with people lining up to either detest or defend police actions. One web site called the Toronto Catholic Witness Blog posted a story entitled “Sammy Yatim: A victim of the Toronto Gestapo Police.”

It is early Saturday morning deep in mid-summer and I am lacing up my shoes in the locker room at the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association before a long run. If someone were to look up the word “bliss” in a dictionary, my smiling face might well appear as the definition.

Pope Francis’ homilies and talks have been very well received for their familiar examples and their straightforward practical applications. Over the summer he has spoken in a profound and challenging way on many occasions, whether addressing the young people in Rio or speaking to bishops. Yet one of his most practical — and well noticed — bits of advice was an aside in a talk he gave to seminarians and religious novices on July 6 in Rome.

Firing Line, the PBS public affairs program hosted by the late William F. Buckley, Jr., not only won an Emmy Award (in 1969) but set a broadcasting record as the longest-running television show: 1,504 episodes over 33 years. The last Firing Line was in 1999.

Never have so many words been used to explain so few after Pope Francis said “Who am I to judge?” when asked about homosexuals.

One of the most astute commentators on the Catholic scene today is John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter. He was present on the papal plane for the press conference heard ’round the world, and had this to write about what united Pope Francis’ remarks on a range of subjects.

Watching World Youth Day from afar, my favourite moment was the address of Pope Francis to the Argentine youth — a meeting he had specially asked to be added to the schedule. Some 5,000 packed the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian, while another 30,000 waited outside in the rain. The Holy Father gave what is becoming a hallmark of his new pontificate — an address that was spontaneous and passionate that left everyone energized, even if a little unsure of what he meant.

Public deserves to know about $50-million expenditure

Our kids need, and deserve, better protection from adult online content, MP argues

The summer is normally a time for rest and relaxation. But one question that has been coming to me lately is how can Christians find true rest, serenity of heart from fear, when we face human and natural tragedies.