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.

Benedict the innovator

Liberals in the Church never warmed to the papacy of Benedict XVI.

Christ’s good news is for all

The great mission’s name is Jesus

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.

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.