News/Canada

The Atlantic bishops' pastoral reflection has drawn heavy criticism by a number of Catholic commentators in Canada and the United States since it's release Nov. 27.

Atlantic bishops’ reflection on assisted suicide draws fire

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OTTAWA – The Atlantic Episcopal Assembly’s (AEA) pastoral reflection on “medical assistance in dying”has drawn harsh criticism, but a Canadian bioethicist says the polarization is not helpful.

A nun shares a light moment with a man during a meal following a Dec. 17 Mass for migrant workers at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Away from home at Christmas, Central American farmworkers find welcome in Vancouver

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With the threat of snow in the air, groups of young men filled the pews at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on the city's east side. The men were seasonal farmworkers from Latin America attending a special Christmas celebration in their honour.

Fr. Michael Czerny was appointed to the Vatican's new department for the Promotion of Integral Human Development during Council of Cardinals meeting Dec. 12-14.

Canadian Jesuit appointed to new Vatican department aiding refugees

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VATICAN CITY – Canadian Jesuit Fr. Michael Czerny has been appointed to the Vatican's new department for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.

The Kazanjian family, refugees from Aleppo, Syria, who are spending their first Christmas in Toronto this year.

Safe from the strife in Syria, families struggle with new life in Canada

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Before Christmas last year, Wartohi Myrdijian had to worry about the bombs falling on either side of her house in Aleppo. She was most afraid of the crude, unpredictable, improvised bombs that came from the ISIS side of the conflict.

Due to Parliament's upcoming winter recess, the Palliative care bill C-277's final vote will have to wait until February.

Palliative care bill passage on hold until February

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OTTAWA – Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu had hoped her Bill C-277 calling for a national palliative care framework would pass before Christmas, but it appears she will have to wait until February.

Syrian refugees arrive from Beirut at a hotel in Mississauga, Ontario Dec. 10, 2015.

Syrian refugees, agencies face obstacles a year after settlement

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Will Month 13 unsettle thousands of Syrian refugees who have already settled in Canada?

Saskatchewan’s bishops, along with Indigenous leaders, have invited Pope Francis to visit Saskatchewan in 2018 or ‘19.

Indigenous leaders, Saskatchewan bishops invite Pope to Canada

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OTTAWA – Pope Francis has said no to visiting Canada in 2017, but that hasn’t stopped Saskatchewan’s bishops and Indigenous leaders from planning a papal visit.

The House of Commons unanimously passed a motion instructing the Health Committee to study the impact of violent online pornography Dec. 8.

House of Commons' Health Committee to study impact of violent porn

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OTTAWA – The House of Commons unanimously passed a Conservative MP’s motion Dec. 8 instructing the Commons’ Health Committee to study the impact of violent online pornography.

Warren Allmand, the solicitor general for the Pierre Trudeau government, died at 84 on Dec. 7.

Warren Allmand, who died at 84, was a principled politician

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MONTREAL – Warren Allmand is being mourned as an exceptional and principled Roman Catholic politician who, as solicitor general in Pierre Trudeau’s cabinet in 1976, introduced the bill which abolished capital punishment in Canada.

Andrew Bennett, Canada's former ambassador of religious freedom, told a Senate committee that Canada’s focus on religious freedom has “diminished.”

Canada’s focus on religious freedom has diminished, says former ambassador

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OTTAWA – Canada's former ambassador of religious freedom told a Senate committee that Canada’s focus on religious freedom has “diminished” since the Office of Religious Freedom was closed in May.

Liverpool John Moores University's Face Lab created what they believe to be the most realistic depiction of St. Nicholas of Myra.

Scientists reconstructed the face of St. Nicholas – here’s what they found

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LIVERPOOL, England – Scientists at a university in Liverpool recently unveiled what they say is the most realistic portrait ever created of St. Nicholas of Myra, the popular 4th Century bishop best known as the inspiration for the modern-day figure of Santa Claus.

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