Feature

New source for stem cells would sidestep moral issues for Catholics

January 16, 2007

OTTAWA - The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute welcomed news that a source of stem cells has been found in amniotic fluid that bypasses the ethical problems of using embryonic stem cells.

Church needs to show its caring side

January 5, 2007

Fr. Drouin [images/stories/presentClergy/drouin.jpg]OTTAWA - Fr. André Drouin rushes from his Ottawa office and returns with a woven white and black rug. He holds up a side where black dominates the weave; when he turns it over, white dominates. He explains that just like the rug, the church is one, but it has two different faces: a celebratory face reflecting the love towards God, and a face of service to others, reflecting love of our neighbours.

The Human Person, the Heart of Peace

December 22, 2006

Editor's note: The following is excerpted from the message of Pope Benedict XVI issued for the World Day of Peace, Jan. 1. The statement is called The Human Person, the Heart of Peace. 1. At the beginning of the new year, I wish to extend prayerful good wishes for peace to governments, leaders of nations and all men and women of good will. In a special way, I invoke peace upon all those experiencing pain and suffering, those living under the threat of violence and armed aggression, and those who await their human and social emancipation, having had their dignity trampled upon. I invoke peace upon children, who by their innocence enrich humanity with goodness and hope, and by their sufferings compel us all to work for justice and peace. Out of concern for children, especially those whose future is compromised by exploitation and the malice of unscrupulous adults, I wish on this World Day of Peace to encourage everyone to reflect on the theme: The Human Person, the Heart of Peace. . . .

'White Christmas' and the Wonderboy

December 18, 2006

When most people think of the song "White Christmas" they think of Bing Crosby or the 1942 musical Holiday Inn. I think of a cold night in 1976 when I was walking in the snow with my good friend Frank. As we walked we tried to remember the lyrics of various Christmas songs. The one song where we both knew more than a few words was "White Christmas." I remember filling the streets with our not so melodious sounds and lots of laughter.

Somerville Lecture - Bridging the Gap: Overcoming our Differences

December 7, 2006

Winnipeg Archbishop James Weisgerber [images/stories/canada_bishops/weisgerber.jpg]Editor's note: The following is the text of the sixth annual Henry Somerville Lecture in Christianity and Communications. Titled "Bridging the Gap: Overcoming our Differences," it was presented by Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg on Nov. 30 at the Newman Centre in Toronto and on Dec. 1 at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo. I am happy to take this opportunity tonight to address you not as a professional theologian, but as the pastor of a diocesan church. I would like to share with you the vision that guides me in my responsibilities as pastor of a particular church and as a member of the College of Bishops, which, together with the Pope, guides the universal church.

Interfaith marriage a threat to the faith?

December 1, 2006

Is marriage becoming a threat to religion? As more Canadians marry outside of their faith, religious leaders are starting to worry about how the children of interfaith marriages will ever gain a religious identity.

The Holy Family is a true witness to marriage

December 1, 2006

Holy Family [images/stories/misc/holyFamily.jpg]MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - When Canada was caught up in the midst of its gut-wrenching debate over legalizing same-sex marriage last year, Fr. Norm Roberts wondered whether there was a positive way to get out the church's message about the value of marriage and the family.

Contraception helped foster unsettled society

December 1, 2006

Janet Smith [images/stories/toronto_people/Janet_Smith.jpg]TORONTO - "Contraception why not?" is the question that Dr. Janet Smith has been posing to audiences for 20 years, a talk that has led to the sale of more than one million taped copies of her talk sold worldwide.

Canadian surplus should help families

November 30, 2006

TORONTO - Failure to reduce Canada's 17-per-cent child poverty rate over the past five years is creating a deficit that can't be erased by paying down government debt, say the authors of Campaign 2000's 2006 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty.

Franciscan way goes mainstream

November 24, 2006

The Christmas Creche [images/stories/misc/CrecheHand.jpg]TORONTO - Following St. Francis into Advent starts with a concrete, physical, tangible, searingly real sense of the incarnation, according to Toronto-area Franciscans who will spend the four weeks leading up to Christmas doing things most Catholics do — preparing a Christmas crèche, attending Advent liturgies, singing carols and getting ready for the Feast of the Nativity.