News/Canada
Canadian Jewish Congress wants Pius sainthood cause slowed down
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}Another step, however minor, toward canonizing Pope Pius XII has got Canadian Jews wondering, why now?
The Dec. 19 Vatican declaration of Pope Pius XIIƵapp “heroic virtues” has prompted the to remind Canadian bishops that many Jews still harbour doubts about the war-time popeƵapp record.
The Dec. 19 Vatican declaration of Pope Pius XIIƵapp “heroic virtues” has prompted the to remind Canadian bishops that many Jews still harbour doubts about the war-time popeƵapp record.
Bishop Lahey faces judicial pre-trial Jan. 26 on child porn charges
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News
{mosimage}OTTAWA - Bishop Raymond Lahey, who faces charges of possession and importation of child pornography, will have a judicial pre-trial Jan. 26.
This off-the-record meeting of lawyers from both sides before a judge could lead either to a resolution of the case or launch the next step in the trial process.
This off-the-record meeting of lawyers from both sides before a judge could lead either to a resolution of the case or launch the next step in the trial process.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity just the beginning
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}Fuller, deeper and more meaningful prayers for Christian unity in Catholic parishes has to begin with the Jan. 17 to 24 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, say Catholics who have worked on preparing and promoting the annual event.
“ItƵapp the prime event in terms of ecumenical work together, prayer together,” said Jonas Abromaitis of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Abromaitis is commission secretary to the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews and Interfaith Dialogue.
“ItƵapp the prime event in terms of ecumenical work together, prayer together,” said Jonas Abromaitis of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Abromaitis is commission secretary to the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews and Interfaith Dialogue.
Parliament prorogued as Harper focuses on economy over other legislation
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News
{mosimage}OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen HarperƵapp decision to press the reset button and ask the Governor General to prorogue Parliament has postponed the vote on a number of pieces of legislation.
It has postponed debate on a controversial private memberƵapp euthanasia bill, guaranteed Conservative MP Joy SmithƵapp anti-human trafficking Bill C-268 will not become law before the Vancouver Olympics and stalled Liberal MP John McKayƵapp mining accountability Bill C-300, which had reached the committee stage in the House of Commons.
It has postponed debate on a controversial private memberƵapp euthanasia bill, guaranteed Conservative MP Joy SmithƵapp anti-human trafficking Bill C-268 will not become law before the Vancouver Olympics and stalled Liberal MP John McKayƵapp mining accountability Bill C-300, which had reached the committee stage in the House of Commons.
Pope's World Day of Peace message would suit Canada
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}On peace and on climate change Canada isn’t measuring up to Pope Benedict XVIƵapp vision for peace on Earth and good will toward men, according to life-long Conservative and retired Senator Doug Roche.
The PopeƵapp message for World Day of Peace links progress toward peace to climate change and environmental degradation. The Vatican headlined the message “If you want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation.”
The PopeƵapp message for World Day of Peace links progress toward peace to climate change and environmental degradation. The Vatican headlined the message “If you want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation.”
Canadian High Commission in Ghana failing young refugees
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}Though he has been attacked in the street, had to be moved to a safe house and is now so depressed he only speaks in whispers, a 14-year-old refugee stranded alone in Accra, Ghana, still does not qualify for urgent or expedited processing, according to Immigration Canada officials handling the case. (See - Tamil refugee boy in immigration limbo.)
If the Canadian High Commission in Accra manages to process the boy refugee in the standard 37 months it takes to get through the paperwork, the boy will be 18 when he is finally reunited with his surviving family in Toronto.
If the Canadian High Commission in Accra manages to process the boy refugee in the standard 37 months it takes to get through the paperwork, the boy will be 18 when he is finally reunited with his surviving family in Toronto.
Anti-Semitism claim shocks KAIROS
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}KAIROS and itƵapp supporters have reacted with shock, dismay, anger and bewilderment at being called anti-Semitic by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney at a conference in Jerusalem.
“We have de-funded organizations, most recently, like KAIROS who are taking a leadership role in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign” against Israel, Kenney told the Dec. 16.
“We have de-funded organizations, most recently, like KAIROS who are taking a leadership role in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign” against Israel, Kenney told the Dec. 16.
Charitable donors try to alleviate world poverty
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}More than half of Canadians who give to charity are trying to do something about poverty and international development, according to an Ipsos Reid poll that probes Canadian patterns in giving.
The 51 per cent of Canadians who chose to make their charitable donations to agencies that work in international development and poverty trails only the medical category which attracted 77 per cent of donors. Poverty and international development outpaced third-place environmental causes, which attracted 31 per cent of donors.
The 51 per cent of Canadians who chose to make their charitable donations to agencies that work in international development and poverty trails only the medical category which attracted 77 per cent of donors. Poverty and international development outpaced third-place environmental causes, which attracted 31 per cent of donors.
Rosary, faithful family, friends lead priest to altar
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}The Montreal diocese received an early Christmas present in the form of its newest priest, Fr. François Charette.
Charette, 31, was ordained for the diocese Dec. 11 after a 13-year journey that began with a conversion of heart, involvement in a pontifical lay community, parish work and missionary work in Latin America.
Charette, 31, was ordained for the diocese Dec. 11 after a 13-year journey that began with a conversion of heart, involvement in a pontifical lay community, parish work and missionary work in Latin America.
Canadian senate latest to call for action on poverty
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}A behemoth, 300-page report with 78 recommendations, the result of two years study and testimony from more than 175 witnesses, has anti-poverty activists hoping Canadians may start thinking and talking about poverty and how to solve it.
was tabled in the Senate Dec. 8. The government will have 150 days to respond to its findings and recommendations once Senators finish commenting on it in January.
was tabled in the Senate Dec. 8. The government will have 150 days to respond to its findings and recommendations once Senators finish commenting on it in January.
KAIROS reapplies for CIDA funding
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}KAIROS is willing to reapply for funding, but the ecumenical justice organization wants to know the new ground rules.
“We’ve already spent six months on this proposal and discussions around this proposal, understanding that this was an excellent proposal and we got an excellent evaluation right in the middle of our work,” said KAIROS executive director Mary Corkery.
At a brief meeting with CIDA Minister Bev Oda, KAIROS “didn’t learn very much,” Corkery said.
“We’ve already spent six months on this proposal and discussions around this proposal, understanding that this was an excellent proposal and we got an excellent evaluation right in the middle of our work,” said KAIROS executive director Mary Corkery.
At a brief meeting with CIDA Minister Bev Oda, KAIROS “didn’t learn very much,” Corkery said.