News/Canada
MAiD decision 'blatant devaluing of persons with disabilities,' says activist
By Gina Christian, OSV NewsA decision by a judge in Calgary, Alberta, in favor of a young woman seeking medically assisted suicide over her father's objections amounts to "the blatant devaluing of persons with disabilities," a Canadian activist told OSV News.
Doubt, skepticism, but also relief, greet Rivoire report
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterReactions have poured in since the Oblates of Mary Immaculate published the Report of the Oblate Safeguarding Commission, authored by retired Superior Court of Quebec Justice André Denis, on March 19. The most consequential revelation of this 57-page report is that Rivoire was guilty, based on the “preponderance of evidence,” of sexually assaulting five minors in Naujaat, Nunavut, between 1968 and 1970, and one in Arviat and Whale Cove, Nunavut, between 1974 and 1979.
Ukrainian Catholic church in Toronto receives a bomb threat amid Sunday liturgy
By Gina Christian, Maria-Pia Chin, OSV NewsParishioners of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto had to evacuate the building toward the end of their 10 a.m. liturgy March 24, due to a bomb threat apparently made by a woman experiencing mental distress.
The Irish eyes continue to smile
By Anna FarrowMontreal’s Msgr. Francis Coyle shared more with the late Brian Mulroney than having an Irish name.
Dinner with a side of companionship
By Luke Mandato, The Catholic RegisterThis month marks 21 years since a church-led meal program began serving hot meals to those in need in Newmarket, Ont., and it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Nigerian priest a ‘spark’ to P.E.I. faith life
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterDuring his first two weeks in Prince Edward Island, Fr. Benedict Olelewe, SDV, has only enjoyed fish from the grocery store.
The occasion when he savours his first fresh catch of lobster, mussels or oysters from P.E.I.’s Atlantic waters will be a delightful and tasty bonus. But indulging in seafood is not why he voyaged from Nigeria to serve in the Diocese of Charlottetown’s Holy Family Pastoral Unit.
Teachers help build student resilience
By NICHOLAS ELBERS, Canadian Catholic NewsIn an increasingly fraught educational environment where teachers feel overwhelmed and isolated amid increased parental and government expectations on their time, hundreds of Catholic teachers gathered for this year’s Catholic Educators Conference for some much-needed fellowship and support.
‘Dead people don’t cost money’: Calculating cost of MAiD
By TERRY O’NEILL, Canadian Catholic NewsThe grim calculus of tracking the cost of Medical Assistance in Dying shows that B.C. doctors receive $283.85 for every “MAiD Event preparation and Procedure” they perform.
Pro-life conversion spurred by 40 Days for Life prayer
By Sheila Nonato, Catholic Register SpecialAmerican pro-life speaker Ramona Treviño, a former Planned Parenthood abortion referrals clinic manager, believes women “deserve better than abortion.”
Treviño spoke to over 100 people at St. Alfred Parish Hall in St. Catharines, Ont., March 13.
Ruling threatens diocese’s work
By Anna FarrowThe Archdiocese of Montreal argues in a court filing it is being obliged to “assist in what constitutes ‘murder’ ” by being denied a temporary exemption to keep MAiD out of a local palliative care centre.
The claim came in an appeal filed March 15 seeking to overturn an earlier ruling by Quebec Superior Court Justice Catherine Piché, which compelled the St. Raphael Palliative Care Home and Day Centre to offer assisted death.
Conscience rights’ battle rages in Nova Scotia
By Luke Mandato, The Catholic RegisterChristian physicians in Nova Scotia have taken up the fight against the province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons over a policy that would force physicians to refer patients for euthanasia, abortion and transgender services.