NEWS

Yezidi demonstrators protest Islamic State militants in Hanover, Germany, Aug. 12. The Vatican called on Muslim leaders to condemn the "barbarity" and "unspeakable criminal acts" of Islamic State militants in Iraq, saying a failure to do so would jeopardize the future of interreligious dialogue.

Pope meets leaders of Yezidi community facing Islamic State persecution

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VATICAN CITY - In his appeals for an end to the persecution of minorities in Syria and Iraq, Pope Francis often has mentioned both the Christians and the Yezidis attacked by Islamic State fighters.

Fr John D Geary CSSp, an Irish-born priest, served as superintendent of education in the Toronto Catholic District School Board. He was principal at Neil McNeil High School in 1968 and founded Francis Libermann High School in 1977.

Fr. John D. Geary was happiest in the classroom

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TORONTO - As he lay dying, Spiritan Father John D. Geary didn’t just listen to classical music on the stereo in his room, he conducted the invisible orchestra.

French police evacuate the bodies of the victims after a mass shooting at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper, Jan. 7. Pope Francis condemned the killings of at least 12 people at the offices of the satirical newspaper Jan. 7 and de nounced all "physical and moral" obstacles to the peaceful coexistence of nations, religions and cultures.

Pope offers Mass for victims of Paris attack

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VATICAN CITY - The morning after 12 people were shot to death and 11 others injured at the Paris office of a satirical weekly newspaper, Pope Francis dedicated his early morning Mass to the victims and their families.

Men and women carrying replica statues of the Black Nazarene walk under a banner of Pope Francis during a procession in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 7. Millions of devotees are expected to attend the annual procession of the Black Nazarene Jan. 9. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Catholic country.

Pope Francis in Asia to promote reconciliation, recovery

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VATICAN CITY - Interreligious reconciliation and recovery from natural disaster will be major themes of Pope Francis' Jan. 13-18 visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, according to the Vatican spokesman.

Fr Daniel Chui , 55, was laid to rest on Dec. 28 following a three year battle with cancer.

Fr. Daniel Chui's smile will be sorely missed

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Fr. Daniel Chui lost his battle with cancer on Dec. 21. The Basilian priest passed away suddenly inside his room at Anglin House, the Basilian retirement home in Toronto, after a three-year battle with esophageal cancer.

Social justice defined the life of John Mihevc

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TORONTO - John Mihevc, a sojourner in Africa, a pioneer in ecumenical social justice work, teacher and writer, has died at the age of 56.

Men help a wounded boy who survived what activists say was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus Jan. 7. In assessing the response to the world's humanitarian crises in 2013, lawmakers and relief agency officials said the situation in Syria and conditions for those who have fled the war-torn nation remain dire.

Persecution of Christians reached historic levels in 2014. Will 2015 be worse?

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From imprisonment to torture to beheadings, more Christians worldwide live in fear for their lives than at any time in the modern era.

Firefighters carry a victim on a stretcher at the scene of a shooting at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper, Jan. 7. Pope Francis condemned the killings of at least 12 people at the offices and denounced all "physical and moral" ob stacles to the peaceful coexistence of nations, religions and cultures.

Pope issues 'firmest condemnation' of killings at French weekly

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis condemned the killings of at least 12 people at the Paris offices of a satirical weekly newspaper Jan. 7 and denounced all "physical and moral" obstacles to the peaceful co-existence of nations, religions and cultures.

A Kenyan Port Health Services worker wearing full personal protective equipment commands a small boy, who is among nine Kenyans who were stranded in the Ebola-hit country Liberia, to return to an observation room for Ebola screening, as they arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Oct. 28 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Vatican sending $3.5 million to help Church response to Ebola

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VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is helping Catholic dioceses and agencies step up the fight against Ebola and is urging other donors to help.

American Cardinal Raymond L. Burke says that the introduction of altar girls lead to fewer men joining the priesthood.

Cardinal Burke: ‘Feminized’ Church, altar girls caused priest shortage

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Cardinal Raymond Burke, a senior American churchman in Rome who has been one of the most outspoken critics of Pope Francis’ push for reform, is roiling the waters yet again, this time arguing that the Catholic Church has become too “feminized.”

Fr. Kevin Belgrave will deliver a talk in Toronto Jan. 13 on preparing parishioners spiritually for the end of life.

Catholics need better spiritual preparation for the end of life

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TORONTO - Priests need to preach the Church’s teachings on end-of-life issues more frequently to better spiritually prepare parishioners for the inevitable, Fr. Kevin Belgrave believes.

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