The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has passed a policy that forces doctors to refer for abortion and other services that go against their conscience.

Ontario doctors must refer for abortions, says College of Physicians

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TORONTO - Despite an overwhelmingly negative response from members of the public, physicians and organizations during a three-month online consultation, the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons voted 21-3 to force doctors to refer for abortions, contraception and other legal treatments or procedures even if they have moral or religious objections.

Church historian and Second Vatican Council expert Dr. Massimo Faggioli says that Pope Francis’ changes to the Vatican and the Church has produced “a remarkable and disturbing series of reactions” leading to opponents inside and outside the Church.

Pope’s ‘popular mandate’ making enemies

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EDMONTON - Pope Francis is a radical reformer who is facing enemies inside and outside the Church opposed to at least some parts of his agenda, says a prominent Church historian.

More than 20,000 people took part in the March for Life 2014. Campaign Life president Jim Hughes, right, says there are even more reasons to march this year.

Campaign Life reveals theme for 2015 March for Life

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OTTAWA - Campaign Life Coalition has announced “Let Life Win” as the theme of the 2015 National March for Life to be held May 14 in Ottawa.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau

Tories quash motion to fast-track euthanasia law

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OTTAWA - The federal Conservatives intend to undertake extensive consultations and still meet the one-year deadline set by the Supreme Court of Canada when it struck down the laws against assisted suicide in the Carter decision Feb. 6.

Eric Mason, soon to be Fr. Eric Mason, speaks with some of the 500 students who attended the Ordinandi Youth Day in Brampton, Ont., March 3. Mason shared the story of his call with the youth.

Seeds of vocation planted in 500 students

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BRAMPTON, ONT. - Students who have an interest in a higher calling came together March 3 to explore their religious and priestly vocation curiosity. 

There have been a number of calls to override the Supreme Court’s decision on assisted suicide with the notwithstanding clause. Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, left, has launched an online petition calling for its use, though Justice Minister Peter MacKay (centre) says his government is unlikely to go that route. Meanwhile, NDP MP Charlie Angus, right, says the government needs to act on his motion to bring in a pan-Canadian palliative care strategy.

Call builds to use notwithstanding clause to trump assisted-suicide ruling

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A number of voices have called on the federal government to trump the Supreme Court’s assisted-suicide decision with the notwithstanding clause — the controversial section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which allows Parliament to pass laws contravening some rights and liberties for up to five years before legislators have to re-vote on the matter or craft new legislation.

In the Vancouver area the practice of illegally scattering cremated remains in public places is on the rise.

Scattering ashes not the reverent way to treat remains

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Scattering the ashes of the recently departed is a rising trend in Vancouver despite the practice breaking both civil and Canon Law.

UBC history professor Richard Pollard studies a papal bull that was issued by Pope Innocent IV and 13 cardinals in Lyons in 1245. The parchment is now stored in a vault at the university.

770-year-old papal bull purchased by UBC

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VANCOUVER - The University of British Columbia has acquired a 770-year old papal bull signed and sealed by Pope Innocent IV that is thought to be the oldest existing papal document in Canada.

Renée Mercuri will be leading Canadians for the 40-day global Lenten fast to address climate change March 4.

Lenten fast for climate action

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TORONTO - Catholics around the world are participating in a 40-day Lenten fast to pray for unity in the Catholic Church and among world leaders in addressing climate change.

Before opening the doors to its first patrons of the day Br. John Frampton gathers the volunteer serving staff together to pray the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. For more than a generation, student and teacher volunteers have been learning the joy of working together for the sake of others by volunteering at St. Francis' Table in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood. But as Br. Frampton says, less volunteers are coming to meet the demands of Toronto's hungry.

St. Francis Table is in dire need of volunteers

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TORONTO - St. Francis Table is hungrier than ever for volunteers to feed those being starved by poverty.

McGill University ethicist Margaret Somerville has called for a Royal Commission on “physician-assisted death” as well as for the federal government to invoke the notwithstanding clause to trump the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the matter.

Somerville calls for Royal Commission on euthanasia

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OTTAWA - McGill University ethicist Margaret Somerville has called for a Royal Commission on “physician-assisted death” as well as for the federal government to invoke the notwithstanding clause to trump the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the matter.

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