Popping up on Twitter just before Easter was a funny photograph of Pope Francis looking super cool in a puffer jacket.

What happens to children sexually abused by priests as they grow older? Some, tragically, commit suicide. Some fall into alcoholism and drug addiction in an attempt to cope with the enduring pain caused by such profound betrayals of trust. Serial failed relationships, career catastrophes, depression and hopelessness often follow.

Catholic school trustee Wendy Ashby has shown a penitential measure of class and character April 26 by publicly apologizing for her bizarre Twitter outburst against “white Christian” men and the “white women” who support “christofascist patriarchy.”

An essay by Nolan Scharper featured in 'Generation Laudato Si’: Catholic Youth on Living Out an Ecological Spirituality', edited by Rebecca Rathbone and Simon Appolloni, published this year by Novalis. 

As I write this column, the State of Israel and Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut marking Israel������Ƶapp independence. This year������Ƶapp celebration will be especially poignant as it is the 75th anniversary of the Jewish state — a country that has flourished and has become an example to the world of perseverance.

A 2022 poll conducted by the Angus-Reid Institute revealed 52 per cent of Canadians think abortion should be available at any time during a pregnancy. In the absence of a legal framework that places term-limits on the procedure, Canada is one of the handful of countries where women can procure elective abortions up to the moment of delivery.

It������Ƶapp easy to ignore what we do not see. For many, homelessness, poverty and addiction are hidden in someone else������Ƶapp town or in a part of our own town that we shun. It������Ƶapp only when we have the courage to “put out into the deep” that we can strip back people������Ƶapp addictions and their current choices, to find that they too feel pain, hunger and loneliness, and only want to be treated as humans.

To Christians worldwide, Easter can be summed up quite succinctly: to us, it is everything. It������Ƶapp when our crucified Lord left an empty tomb and showed His words and teaching not only rang true, but that He had conquered sin and death. Jesus’ Resurrection showed us He truly is the Messiah, the Son of God.

MPP Jamie West during Question Period, April 18, at Queen������Ƶapp Park.

Facing facts

Michael Swan������Ƶapp article “Children������Ƶapp aid faces up to race issues” on catholicregister.org, and printed in the April 9 issue, outlines the Catholic Children������Ƶapp Aid Society of Toronto������Ƶapp (CCAS) addressing racism within the child welfare, education and justice systems. It is important to note that our Journey Toward Equity is ongoing, and one we take seriously at CCAS.