{mosimage}This Dec. 10 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of the celebrated monk-poet Thomas Merton (1915-1968).

By the time of his death, Merton, born in Prades, France, a citizen of the United States and a monk for 27 years in the Trappist Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky, had an international following of enviable proportions, a publication record of staggering range and an influence by no means limited to the Catholic world. Merton was, and remains, a phenomenon, an utterly engaging figure, controversial, iconic, the paradigmatic monk for our century.

Questions

• What is The Register's mailing address and main phone number? What is The Register's mailing address and main phone number?
• How do I find an article that previously appeared in the newspaper?
• How can I buy a copy of a photo that appeared in the paper?
• How do I get permission to reprint an article or photo?
• How can I get a back copy of The Catholic Register?
• How do I send a letter to the editor?
• How do I submit a news tip or news release to The Catholic Register?
• How do I submit an article to the newspaper?
• How do I reach someone at The Catholic Register?
• How do I place an ad in The Catholic Register?
• How do I subscribe to the newspaper?
• How do I suspend delivery of my newspaper when I go on vacation?
• What do I do when my paper is missing or arrives late?

The Catholic Register is a newspaper that offers its readers dependable information and opinions as a joyful servant of God's pilgrim church.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI named 24 new cardinals on Wednesday but there were no Canadians on his list that included 10 Italians and two Americans.

It was widely anticipated that the Pope would name a Canadian to the body whose primary responsibility is selecting the pontiff.

Currently, Montreal archbishop Jean-Claude Turcotte is the only cardinal residing in Canada. In August, Cardinal Marc Ouellet took an important position in the Vatican. In January, former Toronto archbishop Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic of Toronto turned 80 and became ineligible to vote in papal conclaves.

{mosimage}As Peruvians punch their way out of the rubble left by an 8.0 Richter Scale earthquake that struck the nation Aug. 15, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is collecting money the South American nation will need to rebuild.

{mosimage}The president of the Philippines is getting an earful from corporations with money to invest worried about the human rights record of Filipino police.

Among all the red hats and sashes trailing after the Pope at his various events here in the United States was one who is a familiar figure to Canadians. It was Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec and primate of the Catholic Church in Canada.

{mosimage}WASHINGTON — In voting on 2008 ballot questions across the country, the Catholic Church view against same-sex marriage appeared headed for victory, but Catholic efforts to influence voting related to abortion, assisted suicide, embryonic stem-cell research and gambling failed.

{mosimage}TORONTO - Churches are lining up to help inmates of the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, come to Canada.

Catholic, Anglican and United churches have all submitted sponsorship applications to bring Guantanamo prisoners to Canada as refugees. The Canadian Council for Refugees has been organizing the sponsorships and has called on the federal government to expedite the applications.