News/Canada

VANCOUVER - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Msgr. Stephen Jensen, vicar general of the archdiocese of Vancouver for more than four years, as the new bishop of Prince George in northern British Columbia.

In Sudbury, Ont., unions, family groups and the business community are gearing up for a fight over expanded shopping hours.

OTTAWA - Religious and other groups are rallying opposition to Bill C-279 that would add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination.

OTTAWA - Victoria Island where Chief Theresa Spence has been holding a nearly month-long hunger strike to demand a meeting with the Prime Minister and Governor General to discuss First Nations’ issues has become a pilgrimage site for supporters from across North America.

OTTAWA - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops wants something substantial to come out of the Jan. 11 meeting between the government and indigenous leaders.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI named the priest in charge of co-ordinating his papal visit to Lebanon to head the Maronite Catholic community in Canada.

OTTAWA - Ottawa Archbishop-emeritus Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, who chaired a committee that oversaw the founding of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, died Jan. 5 at the age of 97 after 49 years as a bishop.

As Chief Theresa Spence passed three weeks living on nothing but water, fish broth and herbal tea, churches and Christian organizations were lining up behind her request for a meeting with Prime MInister Stephen Harper, Governor General David Johnston and aboriginal leaders from across the country.

Calgary Bishop Fred Henry has warned Catholics in his diocese not to attend a church purchased by the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).

OTTAWA - The year 2012 brought troubling news concerning religious freedom, social justice and euthanasia in Canada, but on abortion there are signs the public is increasingly engaged in debate.