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March 18, 2019

Vatican-China agreement motivated by mission, Cardinal Parolin says

Villagers walk near a Catholic church in the village of Huangtugang, Hebei province, China, Sept. 30, 2018. In a new book, the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, writes that the Vatican's recent agreement with the Chinese government was motivated by a desire to spread the Gospel and assure freedom of the church.
VATICAN – The Vatican's tentative agreement with the government of mainland China obviously has a diplomatic component, but it was motivated by a desire to spread the Gospel and ensure the appropriate freedom of the Catholic Church, the Vatican secretary of state wrote.
Published in International
March 14, 2019

Cardinal Parolin urges Poland to uphold Christian heritage in Europe

Worshippers pray during celebrations on the feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15, 2018, at Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland. The Vatican secretary of state praised the Polish church's traditional closeness to Rome as key to its survival under hostile regimes, in a speech marking the centenary of the nation's conference of bishops and diplomatic ties with the Vatican.
WARSAW, Poland – The Vatican secretary of state praised the Polish church's traditional closeness to Rome as key to its survival under hostile regimes, in a speech marking the centenary of the nation's conference of bishops and diplomatic ties with the Vatican.
Published in International
March 8, 2019

Canadian David Braid taps into his Catholic roots to turn out a Juno-nominated album

Hamilton-born David Braid has created an ode to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

A person can get whiplash trying to keep up with the career of David Braid.

Published in Arts News
March 6, 2019

Lent begins with reminder of all that fades away, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 6, 2019.
ROME – Marked with ashes, Christians set off on a Lenten journey where they strive to leave behind everything that will turn to dust and instead focus on drawing closer to God and God's promise of eternal life, Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
March 4, 2019

Angela Saldanha: What happened to Sabbath day?

A mother and her toddler attend Mass at Toronto's St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica Sep. 30, 2016.

My daughter, skyping from her home in Switzerland, remarked how quiet it was.  Very little traffic about, she said — all shops shut.

Published in Guest Columnists
February 21, 2019

French bishops urge mobilization against increasing anti-Semitism

People attend a national gathering in Paris Feb. 19, 2019, to protest the rise of anti-Semitic attacks. The placards read: "No to the trivialization of hatred."
PARIS – The French bishops' conference has condemned rising anti-Semitism in the country, as official data showed a massive increase of attacks, prompting new government measures.
Published in International
February 20, 2019

God loves us like no one else on this Earth, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis greets a boy as he meets the sick and disabled during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 20, 2019.
VATICAN – When speaking to God as a father, Christians experience a love that goes beyond human love and affection, which can be unpredictable and mired by selfishness, Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
February 13, 2019

In Christian prayer, there is an absence of the word 'I', Pope says

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 13.
VATICAN – Prayer is not just a private and intimate dialogue between a person and God, but rather an opportunity for Christians to bring the needs of others before the Lord, Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
February 8, 2019

Former Muslim highlights plight of Christian converts in Iran

Iran has 800,000 to a million converts to Christianity, who meet secretly in a fast-growing house church network under the threat of arrest and imprisonment, Kiaa Aalipour says.

OTTAWA – An increase in Muslims converting to Christianity has prompted a crackdown by Iran’s theocratic government, says an Iranian convert to Christianity.

Published in International
January 31, 2019

Pope Francis praises respect for diversity in United Arab Emirates

People attend the blessing of the new St. Theresa Chapel within the newly constructed St. Joseph's Cathedral parish center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 10, 2014. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5.
VATICAN – "Al Salamu Alaikum," Arabic for "peace be with you," Pope Francis said at the beginning of a video message to the people of the United Arab Emirates, which he will visit Feb. 3-5.
Published in Faith
January 29, 2019

Pakistan Supreme Court upholds Asia Bibi's blasphemy acquittal

Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Catholic accused of blasphemy, is pictured in a 2010 file photo. The Supreme Court in Pakistan upheld its acquittal of Bibi Jan. 29.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld its acquittal of a Pakistani Catholic woman sentenced to hang for blasphemy.
Published in International
January 28, 2019

Halfway through three-year plan, Green Churches Network aims to expand its national footprint

At Toronto’s St. Gabriel’s Parish, one of the early parishes to join the Green Churches Network, the entire south facade of the worship space is glazed with clear glass. Architect Robert Chiotti designed it to harness the winter’s energy while extending the sacred space of worship “into the sacred space of the world beyond.”

It surprises Gregory Lynch when he fields calls at the Green Churches Network from churches looking for ways to lessen their carbon footprint.

Published in Canada
January 23, 2019

Small Ontario town was about to lose its last Christian church... until a Catholic pharmacist intervened

The United Church in Hensall, Ont., is getting a second chance with the help of Michael Haddad, who purchased the 131-year-old church.

LONDON, Ont., – In the week before Christmas, a 58-year-old pharmacist, Egyptian immigrant and devout Roman Catholic named Michael Haddad had his quarter-million-dollar bid accepted to purchase a recently shuttered United Church in Hensall, Ont. Haddad’s sole reason for making this purchase is so that this town of 1,200 situated about an hour’s drive north of London will not lose its last remaining Christian church.

Published in Canada
December 17, 2018

Iraqi priest rebuilds church in war-torn Mosul, hopes returning Christians will follow

Girls navigate a muddy street Dec. 5 as they make their way to school amid the rubble of the Old City of Mosul, Iraq. when Islamic State controlled the city,most children did not attend school.
MOSUL, Iraq (CNS) -- Christians are cautiously returning to Mosul, the once-bustling Iraqi city that for three years was the capital of the caliphate established by the Islamic State group.
Published in International
December 10, 2018

Glen Argan: Common ground with Eastern religion can enhance Christianity

Trappist Father Thomas Merton is pictured with Dalai Lama in 1968, whom Merton met during his Asia trip. Morgan Atkinson's new documentary on Father Merton, the famed Trappist monk from the Cistercian abbey in Gethsemani, Kentucky, was "40 years in the making," he joked.

Thomas Merton, the most influential Catholic spiritual writer of the 20th century, spent the last period of his life trying to find points of common ground between Catholic mysticism and the mysticism of the East. Some might argue that Merton’s efforts were folly, but one cannot deny his influence.

Published in Register Columnists
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