April 22 marks the birthday of Robert Oppenheimer, born 104 years ago and famously destined to become known as “the father of the atomic bomb” because of his work on the secret Manhattan Project during the Second World War. When news of the weapon of mass destruction became public with the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, theologians jumped in on the moral debate over its use. Here is a report from the Aug. 18, 1945 issue of The Catholic Register:
The Register Archive: Tales of grace amid tragedy of Titanic
April 15 marked the anniversary of one of the worst maritime tragedies — the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, when more than 1,500 died. Our regular visit to The Catholic Register Archive reveals some of the lessons and heroes of that disaster from this edited report in the April 25, 1912 issue:
Fifty years ago this month, Pierre Elliott Trudeau took the reins of prime minister, eventually serving more than 15 years at the post and shaping much of today’s Canada (not to mention fathering today’s PM, Justin). From The Catholic Register Archive, in the April 20, 1968 issue, here is a perspective on the man just weeks after he was elected leader of the Liberal Party:
A new mandate from trustees of the Halton Catholic District School Board to allow its schools to give donations only to a specific list of charities that uphold Catholic values sets it apart from other nearby Catholic school boards.
Easter Drawing Contest 2018 winners
After winning in The Catholic Register’s Christmas drawing contest, Jasmeen Arcentales has scored a double victory by taking top honours in our Easter competition for children.
The Register Archive: A world torn by war searches for peace
Our dip into The Catholic Register archive lands on the Easter season of 100 years ago, when the world was still embroiled in the First World War. This Register editorial of April 4, 1918 looks athow Pope Benedict XV’s peace efforts were ignored and how the message of Easter might help heal the world.
New bishop ordained for Canada's North
Newly ordained Bishop Jon Hansen of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, wearing a seal-skin mitre and locally made chasuble, addresses fellow bishops and the crowd gathered for his ordination in the gymnasium of St. Patrick’s High School in Yellowknife, N.W.T., on March 16.
Our regular deep dive into The Catholic Register’s archive during our 125th anniversary year isn’t complete without a few sports stories. As the NHL edges toward the playoffs, we recall one of the biggest trades in league history. Fifty years ago this month the Toronto Maple Leafs sent their all-star Frank Mahovlich to Detroit in a six-player swap. The Register’s Fr. Thomas Raby, in his column from March 23, 1968, couldn’t help but muse about what a trade like this could mean in Church terms.
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, we look into The Catholic Register archive for a story of the first Canadian-born saint and founder of the Grey Nuns of Montreal, St. Marguerite d’Youville, born in Varennes, Que., in 1701. This story was published May 9, 1959, days after her beatification by Pope John XXIII. She was canonized in 1990.