For the most part, we can say the Catholic Church has done its share to make this a better world, and done this very well despite a few hiccups here and there.

Never has this generation been subjected to such a barrage of disinformation and misinformation as has been generated surrounding the current Israeli military assault on the people of Gaza.

"Why do men become beasts?"

The question was asked by South African Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale. In a speech last August, he was warning men that they will be held accountable for the treatment of women. "The Son of God will make us pay for all the things we have done, or not done," the archbishop said.

Pope Francis has always shown deep sensitivity to the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide. Since the beginning of his pontificate, he has regularly spoken out in defence of these vulnerable communities, highlighting the injustices and suffering they endure. Whether in Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, or other regions marked by conflict and violence, the Holy Father has expressed his unconditional support, urging the international community to intervene to protect the faithful. 

Yea though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.  This line from the Book of Job was the response of Rabbi Abraham Heschel to the question, “How can you possibly believe in God after six million of your people were slaughtered in the holocaust?!”  The tears streaming down Rabbi Heschel’s face spoke of his anguish over this evil, and perhaps his anguish in not understanding why God allowed it.  His tears spoke of an answer wrenched from the deepest possible act of trust and faith, not an answer solely from the intellect or will.  It’s the only answer that can bring peace to the heart.

Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon in Arizona is an extraordinary experience.  It’s not just the stunning beauty, It’s also the silence.  You can hear the chatter of tourists behind you, but in front is a palpable silence, replete with Divine Presence.

The following is the text of Pope Francis’ “e-letter” released on Oct. 7 to mark the anniversary of Hamas’ murderous attack on Israel and the ensuing spiral of violence.

Discussions of family size have increased in political and religious discourse as North American birth rates hit historic lows. Catherine Pakaluk, an economist and associate professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., recently authored Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth.

In 2013, I wrote a column for the National Post about Dr. Donald Low, a microbiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital. He spoke about his cancer diagnosis, his fear of tremendous pain that might be looming and the loss of his dignity. He spoke without self-pity and urged Canada to make physician-assisted death legal. He died eight days later. 

Pope Francis often speaks about how the elderly are a treasure and has dedicated much of his pontificate to promoting a culture of encounter between generations.Inspired by this emphasis, Bishop Hector Vila recently invited me to the Diocese of Whitehorse to deliver several workshops and presentations geared toward exploring the value of life at all stages.