Humility, humour and simple kindness in Francis
Like most everyone, I’ve been fascinated and delighted with the election of Pope Francis. His simple, gracious acts during his first days on the job bode well for the Church.
- By Robert Brehl
Benedict the innovator
Liberals in the Church never warmed to the papacy of Benedict XVI.
Montreal ruling strikes blow for religious freedom
With all eyes fixed on Rome, it’s not surprising that Paula Celani’s moment of victory in a Montreal courtroom has gone almost unheralded.
Whatcott case leaves troubling concerns
The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in the case of anti-gay advocate Bill Whatcott provided troubling answers to some questions concerning free speech but improved the language of a provincial human rights code and slightly raised the bar for future cases.
Pope Francis
White smoke that billowed March 13 from the Sistine Chapel chimney heralded more than the election of Pope Francis.
Benedict brought back biblical theology
Before we receive a new pope, it is worthwhile to consider the impact of the pontificate itself.
A Lenten message from a mother
March, always a special month, is set to be one to remember this year. Forever a part of Lent and leading up to the holiest days of the year, March can also be a tease for Canadians: warm spring sunshine on the face one day followed by snow and sleet the next.
- By Robert Brehl
Wisdom with vitality
The past eight years gave proof that the College of Cardinals got it right in 2005 when they shrugged at Joseph Ratzinger’s birth certificate and made him Pope.
Non-European pope not beyond realm of possibility
Cardinal Collins notes decision will be made for the good of the Church
Quebec’s angels of mercy
The battle over legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Quebec just shifted to the side of the angels. On Feb. 19, a group of more than 300 courageous and very determined doctors took out attention-grabbing newspaper advertisements declaring bluntly that their role will never be to “kill” their patients. Calling themselves the Physicians’ Alliance for Total Refusal of Euthanasia, they issued a manifesto rejecting the whole ideology under which doctors would be complicit in administering lethal doses of drugs to patients.