On the eve of the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis released his Apostolic Exhortation "on the climate crisis," emphasizing the need to "rethink... the question of human power." The Synod is also about the meaning and limits of power with the seeming goal of turning the Catholic Church into a sort of procedural republic, a fellowship of listeners who through “conversations in the Spirit” learn to find a word from God in each other’s experiences. But they will still have to find ways to distribute power, or ways will be found for them.

The months leading up to the now concluded first phase of the Synod on Synodality were marked by anticipation and anxiety in influential Catholic circles. While the majority of Catholics might remain perplexed or indifferent to the Synod, invested Catholics saw change on the horizon.

Tammy Peterson and her journey for truth

On Sunday Oct. 15, members of Concerned Lay Catholics had the opportunity to join Dr. Catherine Clifford for lunch following English Mass at the Jesuit Caravita community in Rome.

As members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops return home, share the results of their work and prepare for the final synod assembly in 2024, they must be on guard against people who will want to make them take sides as if the synod were a political debate, said Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe.

Just before the turn of the new millennium, then Vancouver Archbishop Adam Exner, like many others, was asking himself the question, “What will the future bring?”

It is a long way from his native Igboland in Nigeria to the Newman Centre at McGill University, but Fr. Anthony Atansi finds himself as “at home” in one as the other.

For Lilian Pham, winning the prestigious Schulich Leadership Scholarship was only possible because of the love and support of her family.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto is deepening its commitment to support postsecondary learners by awarding five new scholarships — valued at $5,000 apiece —  starting in 2024.

Assumption University is continuing its tradition under Dr. John Cappucci of fostering Christian-Jewish ecumenical bonds.