Features
U.S. and Canadian students rally behind Carleton pro-life group
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA (CCN)—National pro-life student associations in the United States and Canada have thrown their support behind Carleton Lifeline, a pro-life group facing discrimination on the Carleton University campus in Ottawa.
Carleton University’s pro-life club was told earlier this week that it must become pro-choice if it wants to receive student union funding and recognition on campus (read full story).
Students for Life of America (SFLA) and National Campus Life Network (NCLN) launched StandWithCarleton.com as a sign of solidarity with the Lifeline, which has been decertified by the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA). That means the pro-life club has lost access to funds from compulsory student dues as well as the recognition that allows them to use public spaces on campus for meetings and publicity.
Carleton pro-life group told to become pro-choice to receive funding
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsThe Carleton Student Union Association (CUSA) revoked the club status of Carleton LifeLine and said it must change a clause in its constitution which violates CUSA's anti-discrimination policy supporting “a woman’s right to choose” in order to be recertified.
Restorative justice leads inmates down new path
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterAs he sat in jail month after month trying to make sense of his life, Bruce Rowe one day knew he wasn’t quite so interested in freedom.
“I realized when I was inside all of that didn’t matter if I didn’t become a better person,” said Rowe.
Prison does nothing for jailed, victims
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterHe’s a big guy in a leather vest with a long grey ponytail and a silver cross hanging by a silver chain around his neck. In a Toronto halfway house now, he will remain under the supervision of the prison system for years to come.
American basilica's beauty ranks with European cathedrals
By Lorraine Williams, Catholic Register SpecialLocated in the city’s core, its striking copper-covered dome, which is the focus of attention when first viewing the basilica, and exquisite interior give it a place of honour among American houses of worship.
Moustaches for Movember at St. Mike's College School
By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic RegisterDowell, a Grade 12 student at St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, is taking part in the school’s inaugural Movember campaign — a global initiative where men grow moustaches and raise money to increase awareness and funds for prostate cancer.
“Prostate cancer will probably affect at least someone we know in our lives and, being men, it’s something that we should have a basic knowledge about and support it in every way we can,” said Dowell.
New bill brings code of conduct for Ontario trustees
By Sheila Dabu Nonato, The Catholic RegisterRather than leave it to school boards to always act in the best interest of students, as has been the case historically, Bill 177 legislates boards to “promote student achievement and well-being” and “ensure the effectiveness of the board’s resources.” Trustees are also legally bound to “entrust the day-to-day management of the board to its staff through the board’s director of education.”
Brother André school name changes on hold
By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic Register“It’s the community’s prerogative,” said Jim Nicoletti, principal at Brother André Catholic High School in Markham, Ont.
“The superintendent was waiting for direction from the trustees to come out and meet with our parent council to get the ball rolling,” said Nicoletti, adding that because it’s an election year, “it’s not happening too quickly.”
Schools must be safe havens for all
By Sheila Dabu Nonato, The Catholic RegisterMISSISSAUGA, Ont. - With hate crimes on the rise in Canada, implementing the province's new inclusive education policy comes at critical time when schools must be “safe havens” for all students, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation, says educator Chris D'Souza.
D'Souza spoke at an Oct. 22 workshop at the “When Faith Meets Pedagogy” conference on “Reaffirming our vocation to Catholic education and commitment in the service of students.”
D'Souza has been in 27 Ontario cities over the past nine months speaking about the government's new equity and inclusive education policy.
Catholic school boards need anti-homophobia policies
By Sheila Dabu Nonato, The Catholic RegisterKevin Welbes Godin told a symposium that “silence is no longer acceptable” when it comes to the absence of anti-homophobia policies in some Ontario Catholic boards.
But other comments during the workshop upset some teachers who said Welbes Godin and co-presenter David Szollosy were misinterpreting the position of the Ontario bishops and that their views on gay support groups were not in keeping with Church teaching.