NEWS
Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani said Dec. 13 that the Liberals are contemplating pausing plans to broaden the eligibility of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to individuals solely with a mental illness beginning March 17. Cabinet will weigh the feedback offered by a joint parliamentary committee, medical professionals and other stakeholders.
Israeli army denies targeting Gaza church
By Judith Sudilovsky, OSV NewsFollowing a series of attacks on Christians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces Dec. 16, including the killing of a mother and daughter at a Catholic church, the Israeli Defense Forces said that it "takes claims regarding harm to sensitive sites with the utmost seriousness." However, the statement did not make any mention of the shooting deaths of the two women in the Holy Family Parish premises.
Pope Francis condemns attack on Gaza parish killing 2 Christian women
By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV NewsFollowing the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem's denouncement of a series of attacks on Christians in Gaza by Israeli forces Dec. 16, including the killing of a mother and daughter at a Catholic parish, Pope Francis and numerous bishops across the globe also condemned the attack, calling for peace.
Guide makes Fatima personal
By Susan KorahA pilgrimage is a source of spiritual enrichment, and the dream of a lifetime for many Catholics. And Andreia Lopo, 47, takes “pure delight,” as she says, in helping to make that dream come true.
Toronto Archdiocese to fund eight reconciliation projects
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterThe Archdiocese of Toronto is allotting more than $2.7 million to fund eight projects to support the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation with Canada’s First Nation, Inuit and Métis people.
Chaplaincies embrace bishops’ youth evangelization plan
By Joshua Ben Joseph, Catholic Register SpecialCatholic chaplaincies across Toronto are looking at ways to incorporate the Canadian bishops’ new template for youth evangelization into their campus work.
Pope Francis downplays Argentine president's comments as Javier Milei assumes office
By David Agren, OSV NewsPope Francis has downplayed the discourteous comments toward him from Argentine President Javier Milei -- who previously accused the pope of preaching "communism" -- attributing the remarks to electioneering in his home country.
For Rudy Fernandes, it’s a ‘Merry Christmas’
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterRudy Fernandes will not back down.
A longtime member of Cristo Rei Parish in Mississauga, Ont., Fernandes and his wife Maureen have implored hundreds of politicians, mainly in the Greater Toronto Area, via letters for almost a dozen years to reassert “Merry Christmas” as the de facto holiday season greeting in the public square.
369 abuse claims filed against St. John’s Archdiocese
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterMore than 350 people have stepped forward with a claim of being sexually abused by the Christian Brothers of Ireland at the Mount Cashel Orphanage in the 1940s through ’60s or by Archdiocese of St. John’s clergy over time.
Ireland plans to dramatically cut welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees
By Michael Kelly, OSV NewsPlans to dramatically cut welfare benefits for refugees from Ukraine who flee to Ireland to avoid Russia's war are causing anxiety, according to a priest who works with the new arrivals. Officials in Dublin say that they want to "slow" the number of people arriving from Ukraine.
Ukraine's war-torn Christians look ahead to first Christmas shared with West
By Jonathan Luxmoore, OSV NewsWhen Ukraine's embattled citizens gather this Christmas, their rich festivities will feel symbolically different -- as the festival is celebrated for the first time on Dec. 25, in line with the Western calendar.