News/Canada

OTTAWA - Canada's Catholic bishops say the marriage debate is not over, despite the "disappointing" loss of a House of Commons motion to restore the traditional definition.

OTTAWA - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged a completely free vote on a motion on whether to reopen the debate on marriage, one that would allow politicians to vote "in accordance with their conscience" on marriage.

TORONTO - Canada's shelter allowance runs out March 31, and the Catholic agencies that deal with Toronto's homeless population warn that when that happens more and more people will fall through the cracks.

OTTAWA - Politicians from several parties welcomed the recommendations Canadian archbishops presented to the House of Commons immigration committee, including the cancellation of the Safe Third Country Agreement, and the elimination of obstacles to family reunification.

TORONTO - No sooner had David Okenyi arrived in Canada than he wished he could just turn on his heel and go back to Nigeria.

TORONTO - Poverty kills just as surely as smoking or living off burgers, fries and ice cream, and the church leaders who run Ontario's food banks, emergency shelters and family counselling programs are prepared to back that claim up with science.

The companies that sell ethically screened mutual funds are asking Parliament to clean up the Clean Air Act.

TORONTO - The United Church of Canada has launched a $10.5-million media campaign that will span the next three years. It will consist of an interactive web site, national magazine, newspaper advertising featuring a cheeky bobble-head Jesus and other provocative images, and a grassroots campaign all aimed at engaging Canadians, specifically those age 30-45.

OTTAWA - More than 40 religious leaders from all the major faiths have signed an historic Declaration on Marriage, affirming its crucial role as a heterosexual social institution for the procreation and nurturing of children.

TORONTO - The Catholic Church and Canada's public institutions seem to be on a collision course, according to the Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL).