York Region sent volunteers to canvass the streets and shelters to tally the homeless population as part of a federally funded initiative aimed at tackling homelessness nationwide.
Jesuit makes a name for himself studying lichen
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterFor gymnasts it might be a twisting tumble, for astrologers a star, for politicians a sandwich. But for Jesuit ecologist Fr. John McCarthy that ultimate accolade — confirmation of a lifetime of scientific research — is to have a lichen named after him.
Restricting physician-assisted death to adults may not pass court challenge, says expert
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Physician-assisted death legislation could include competent children under the age of 18, a legal expert told a Parliamentary committee Jan. 26.
Hindu girl gets Christian unity
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Sometimes, it takes an outsider to speak the truth about our faith.
Bennett uncertain about religious freedom office’s future
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Andrew Bennett remains uncertain whether his three-year term as Canada’s Religious Freedom Ambassador will be renewed, but says he will continue to fight for religious freedom even if his position is eliminated.
Catholic broadcasters face big changes in coming months
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Opting out of the stations you never watch or buying just the channels you do watch on cable isn’t the biggest worry Canada’s Catholic broadcasters face. The advent of the “skinny basic” cable packages — which cable companies must offer starting in March — and pick-n-pay menus that allow viewers to purchase only the stations they want by the end of 2016, are only a small part of bigger changes in how people watch television, broadcasters told The Catholic Register.
Liberals closing the book on charity political audits
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Church-based charities, including the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, are applauding the end of Canada Revenue Agency’s political audit program.
Doctor-assisted suicide cannot be restricted to terminally ill: lawyer
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Legislation that tries to restrict assisted suicide and euthanasia to the terminally ill would likely fail a court challenge, a prominent constitutional lawyer told a Parliamentary committee.
Saskatchewan town embraces healing after four shot dead
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterIn the wake of a shooting tragedy at La Loche, Sask., that left four people dead, a call for healing and support has been embraced by the mother of two of the victims and the mother of the alleged shooter.
An ‘ecumenism of blood’ for persecuted Christians
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - For Manhal Al-Khsom, his wife and his three daughters, prayers for Christian unity are not prayers for some ideal Church of the future, but prayers for his family, his friends and for everything he left behind when he came to Canada last April.
Syriac bishop for Canada says he will prioritize refugees, vocations
By Doreen Abi Raad, Catholic News ServiceBEIRUT - The newly ordained bishop for the Syriac Catholic Church in Canada pledged to make his first priority the suffering and spiritual needs of beleaguered Syriacs seeking refuge in Canada.