Feature

Brother André a saint for today

February 26, 2010

MONTREAL - Just two days after the announcement of Brother André’s canonization, St. Joseph’s Oratory had no lack of pilgrims filing past his tomb. One young woman, who would not reveal her name, stopped and prayed at the various stations depicting St. Joseph’s life, leading up to Brother André’s crypt. “I come often because I’m a believer and it’s renewing,” she said.

Encountering God in the lab

February 19, 2010

One of the myths of our age declares that there is a war between the traditions of science and religion. Those who promote this myth assert that the conflict between science and religion is a necessary consequence of the fundamental incompatibility of these two systems. The stakes of this conflict are heightened by claims that only science has the power to lead the world into a future that is rational, just and sustainable. While acknowledging the concern shown by people of faith for the marginalized of the world, the warriors of science accuse the religious of being dangerously ideological and distracted by vague concepts of the afterlife where the righteous will gain release from trials of this world.

The ugly truth of Canada's First Nations teen suicide

February 19, 2010

Stretched thinner and thinner across Canada’s North, the church is losing touch with First Nations communities as First Nations communities lose touch with hope. Another wave of teen suicides in the James Bay region has left church leaders wondering how they can offer hope to young aboriginals when they have so little contact with them. “It used to be that the churches had a real big involvement in the communities,” said Bishop Vincent Cadieux, bishop of the Moosonee and Hearst dioceses. “That’s less and less now.”

Catholic groups make promise to sponsor world refugees

January 25, 2010

At a retreat centre just east of Toronto, a promise has been made on behalf of Canadian Catholics to the 10.5 million refugees around the world. At the first ever National Catholic Conference on Refugee Sponsorship, Jan. 13-15, 80 representatives of dioceses from Prince George, B.C. to Cornerbrook, Nfld., promised that the world’s refugees would no longer be just more misery on the evening news. From now on, refugees will matter to Catholic parishes and religious orders, and Catholic communities will sponsor refugees in greater numbers. Immigration and Muliculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has already taken Catholic refugee workers at their word, increasing the target for Iraqi refugees sponsored out of Damascus, Syria from 1,300 to 2,500 this year.

Bishop must mirror Jesus, says archbishop Collins

January 15, 2010

TORONTO - Toronto’s Archbishop Thomas Collins says being a bishop means being a good spiritual father and shepherd of the community. Collins is entering his third year as archbishop of Canada’s largest archdiocese.

Ordinations bring change to managing of archdiocese

January 15, 2010

TORONTO - As the brotherhood of bishops for the archdiocese of Toronto grows, it will bring change to how the archdiocese is managed by its shepherds. Before the ordinations on Jan. 12 and 13, respectively, of Bishop William McGrattan and Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Toronto’s three auxiliary bishops looked after three distinct geographical regions of the widespread archdiocese comprising more than 220 parishes. Now that there are four auxiliaries, the pie has been divided into four regions with the creation of a new eastern region.

Bishop Nguyen's coat of arms

January 15, 2010

The shield of Bishop Vincent Nguyen’s coat of arms is on a standard bearing a cross with the five wounds of Christ. The shield is divided into two main sections. The top section is based on the Book of Revelations 7:9, where the multitude of martyrs, with palm branches in their hands, stand before the throne of the Lamb. The drop of blood flanked by two palm branches has special family significance for Nguyen as his great-great-grandfather is one of the Vietnamese Martyrs.

Admiration for Bishop Nguyen crosses all borders

January 15, 2010

TORONTO - Beginning about 5 p.m. Jan. 13 it was correct to address Fr. Vincent Nguyen as “your grace,” the customary address for bishops in the Catholic Church. But it is not incorrect to call the 43-year-old auxiliary bishop of Toronto “anh.” In Vietnamese “anh” means “elder brother.” In any Vietnamese family the relationship of love, responsibility and authority between younger and elder siblings is never forgotten. In a family of faith, we are bound by the same obligations, said Nguyen.

Bishop McGrattan's coat of arms

January 15, 2010

The field of the shield is divided into sections by a heraldic division called a saltire enhanced. This reflects the form of the traditional arms of the name McGrattan. In the “X” is also seen the Greek letter Chi which is the first letter in the Greek for Christ.

Bishop McGrattan a visionary leader coming to Toronto

January 15, 2010

LONDON, Ont. - Toronto’s newest bishop from London has been a chemical engineer, a parish pastor, a professor, a seminary rector and now begins his journey as auxiliary bishop. But to those who know him well, Bishop William McGrattan is a good friend, a systematic teacher and a creative leader who knows how to incorporate the laity into the church.