Saskatchewan Catholic bishops release pastoral letter in response to medically-provided death
Calling for a listening and caring response to those who are suffering, the Catholic bishops of Saskatchewan on March 25 issued a pastoral letter on the expanding reality of medically provided death in Canada.
Released on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Dying with Hope: Living and Walking Together again expresses the bishops’ profound concern about the expansion of euthanasia – “euphemistically known as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).”
Canadian bishops condemn government proposal to strip faith groups of charitable status
Canada’s Finance Department has avoided providing a clear answer to a written appeal from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) urging the federal government not to adopt budget recommendations that would strip charitable status from “anti-abortion” and “advancement of religion” nonprofit organizations.
Faithful brave the storm at 40 Days for Life campaign midpoint rally
Umbrellas were raised and prayers sent heavenward as a small band of Catholics gathered in a relentless downpour to celebrate the midway point of the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s 40 Days for Life campaign.
The annual Lenten pro-life campaign has yet to bear legislative fruit in Canada, as the country’s politicians continue to refuse to pass laws to place any restrictions on abortion.
Pope Francis makes first public appearance in weeks, returns to Vatican
Shortly before returning to his home in the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance from a fifth-floor balcony of the Gemelli Clinic in Rome to a crowd of faithful gathered outside the hospital.
The moment marked his first public engagement in weeks.
Giving up is not an option, MP tells Catholic college audience
TORONTO—For anyone troubled by the state of society or the world, MP Garnett Genuis offers a message of hope and encouragement from St. Peter, who knew something about trouble and sacrifice in times of political distress.
“But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you.
As election looms, ‘faith is not a political position’: CCCB President
Prime Minister Mark Carney is poised to trigger a snap federal election for late April or early May on Sunday by asking Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament, setting in motion what could be the most consequential national vote in generations.
‘You soon learn to work in the two cultures’: Sister Dorothy Bob, SSA
A B.C. Catholic reader and frequent letter writer reached out to us “with astonishment” over last week’s obituary of Sister Dorothy Bob, a Sister of St. Ann who died in Victoria at the age of 92.
Marianne Werner noted that Sister Dorothy Bob had discerned becoming a sister of St.
40 Days for Life: ‘changing hearts and minds’ about human dignity
On a chilly February morning with light snow falling, hundreds of parish representatives gathered in Coquitlam at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a planning meeting over coffee and conversation. Volunteers shared their hopes and strategies for this year’s 40 Days for Life campaign, energized by a shared commitment to prayer, witness, and defending life.
Catholic democracy advocate Jimmy Lai ‘fighting for his beliefs’ during long trial
Sebastian Lai, son of Hong Kong Catholic democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, said this week his father is “still fighting for his beliefs” while he remains imprisoned in “inhumane” conditions and his national security trial drags on.
Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and a human rights activist, has been on trial since December of 2023 for allegations of colluding with foreign forces under a national security law put in effect by the communist-controled Chinese government.
Archbishop Smith stresses co-responsibility in Vancouver visit
John Paul II Pastoral Centre staff lined the balcony and crowded the ground floor to welcome Archbishop Richard Smith for his first official visit to Vancouver, his soon-to-be home and archdiocese.
After flying in from Edmonton and navigating Vancouver morning traffic, Archbishop Smith told pastoral workers he was deeply touched by their welcome.