Euthanasia bill’s delay a time for reflection
The delay in the passage of Quebec’s Bill-52, which would allow euthanasia in certain circumstances, gives individuals and groups on both sides of the issue time to reflect on better ways to move forward on providing effective end-of-life care both in Quebec and elsewhere.
Applauding Pope Francis without the standing ovation
As we approach the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, I received a thoughtful e-mail from Mary, a regular reader of The Register. She complained that my columns “undermine Pope Francis.”
My Quebec is for all
It was one of those almost-invisible gestures that defy a seemingly impregnable political fixation.
The question about Pope Francis
Just about my least favourite question (unfortunately, often posed these days) is: “What do you think of the new Pope?”
- By Ian Hunter
Euthanasia’s delusions
Twelve years after legalizing euthanasia for consenting adults facing dire medical situations, Belgium now permits euthanasia of terminally ill children. Next it wants to extend euthanasia to adults, primarily seniors, who lack the cognitive ability to give consent.
True sportsmanship or a great illusion?
The key to the great illusionist Harry Houdini was the art of misdirection. Houdini could do things like make elephants on stage disappear by misdirecting the eyes and ears of the audience so their minds believed something quite different.
- By Robert Brehl
Salvifici Doloris turns 30
Last week, Feb. 11 was marked everywhere in the Catholic world as the first anniversary of the abdication announcement of Benedict XVI. Understandably so, for it was without precedent — the very definition of news — and it opened the door for a renewed energy and enthusiasm under Pope Francis.
Smooth transition
When Pope Benedict shocked the world one year ago by abdicating the See of St. Peter there was no precedent to suggest how this would play out. It had been 700 years since a Pope freely resigned but even then the departure was for reasons other than frailty and declining health.
Catholic schools are winners in the education game
Next to hockey, education seems to dominate the Canadian media. And just like hockey, education is reported as a sport. Winners and losers, weaknesses and strengths, who should stay, who should be traded, who’s not contributing to the team, who’s first and who’s last.
May this be Ukraine’s 1989
A quadrennial custom I look forward to is writing a column mocking the absurdity of the Winter Olympics. Hockey aside, silly sports contested by people otherwise unknown somehow become moments of national pride. “Cheering on the oddballs” was how my editor headlined the 2010 version for Vancouver. Hoist the maple leaf — our man won skateboarding on snow!