The media as a vast enterprise of neighbourliness
“You just want to sell newspapers!” is one of the most interesting insults that every reporter and editor hears at some point. There aren’t many professions liable to quite that sort of calumny.
Doing the right thing
In a spat between the federal government and several provinces over health-care coverage for refugees, we have no hesitation in picking sides. We choose the side of compassion, the side that embraces what Pope Francis calls a “generous openness” to always comfort society’s most vulnerable members.
Cardinal Collins takes on Vatican bank oversight role
TORONTO - Cardinal Thomas Collins knows all about saving souls but with his appointment to the Vatican bank he’ll be getting a crash course in savings of another kind.
The perils of the ‘re-gifting season’
With the Christmas season behind us, so begins the “season of re-gifting.” The other day, my lovely wife was thinking about passing along a Christmas present she didn’t want until I reminded her of a story.
- By Robert Brehl
Israel’s outlook must be seen through a biblical lens
JERUSALEM - I have been to Israel more than a dozen times — as a pilgrim, leading pilgrimages, with my family, on a private retreat, for Christmas, for Holy Week, for board meetings, for the papal visit of 2009 — but never for something quite like this. I was invited to be part of the official delegation accompanying Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his visit this week to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (West Bank).
Pain and truth
It is never easy to hear the Church address the sinful litany of sexual abuse that has caused so much harm to so many people. The discussion is always painful, but it is necessary.
Faith’s message is too often lost
It was the night before Christmas and all through the church, many creatures were stirring . . . especially the restless children.
New generation of leaders
In choosing his first group of new cardinals, Pope Francis indicated changes for some parts of the world, but continuity for Canada.
God will be judge
In his inimitably colourful way, Pope Francis has challenged Catholic priests to be shepherds “living with the smell of the sheep.”
We can only grow through embracing our own fragility
There is a deep vulnerability at the heart of education. Sometimes it looks like this:
A mother sits across from me sobbing, her shoulders heaving up and down as she surrenders to the anguish that she carries for her child. I move out from behind the barrier of my desk and sit beside her, offering a tissue.
Francis’ world view
Pope Francis seems determined to invigorate the Church so who could be surprised to see him give the College of Cardinals a bit of a shake?