In my new book The Future of Catholicism (Signal Books/Random House) I devote the longest chapter to the issue of same-sex marriage, and other chapters to abortion, euthanasia, and contraception. But, some critics have argued, why spend so much time on these issues when the book is about the future of the Catholic Church? Simple. Because this is precisely the future of [...]
Despite media spin that Pope wants to change Church focus, he said nothing new Pope Francis gave a long interview to a Jesuit magazine and the media seems to be picking up on a tiny portion of it and misrepresenting what he said. In an interview with the magazine La Civilta Catholica, and reprinted in other Jesuit publications including America, [...]
In late August, the Parti Quebecois government of Pauline Marois began leaking the details of their proposed Charter of Quebec Values, which would severely limit religious and cultural expression in state-run workplaces. If the bill, which will be introduced to the National Assembly later this Fall, becomes law it would ban the wearing of religious attire by state employees, including crosses and [...]
An influential Indian Cardinal says he “fully” support the efforts of a Canadian pro-lifer who is serving time in jail for entering abortion facilities to rescue unborn babies. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, was recently tapped by Pope Francis to join an eight-cardinal advisory board charged with assisting the Pope in reforming the Roman Curia. He also serves as president of [...]
Light is Right Joe Campbell “It’s a creative approach to saving souls,” Dingwall said. “What is?” I asked. “Invincible ignorance,” Dingwall replied. Although we often talked about Church teaching, this was the first time he had mentioned invincible ignorance. “I’m not sure I understand,” I said. “Invincible ignorance is a deficiency of knowledge that you can’t reasonably overcome and consequently [...]
There are many ways to contribute to the pro-life movement – political action, education, fundraising – but these would not be possible without prayer. In his book I’m Still A Radical, the late Father Ted Colleton wrote: “Prayer and sacrifice ... must be the foundation which underpins all other activity.” Enza Rattenni, executive director of Aid to Women, a Toronto-based organization that [...]
Raymond Gravel Questions abound regarding Fr. Raymond Gravel, the Quebec priest and former Bloc Quebecois MP who is suing LifeSiteNews.com. Questions, but no answers. It all stems from a few basic facts on which there is general agreement. On June 29, 1986 Raymond Gravel was ordained a Catholic priest for the diocese of Joliette, Quebec. In 2006, Gravel plunged into [...]
Social Conservatives and Party Politics in Canada and the United States by James Farney (University of Toronto, $27.95, 168 pages, paperback). Pundits and political scientists like to ponder the differences between Canada and the United States, and one question is why does the American conservative movement have a vital socially conservative element (the Religious Right) while social conservatism has had minimal influence [...]
Pope Francis The conclave has selected a pontiff likely to follow in the footsteps of his recent predecessors Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI as a vocal defender of life and family. On the fifth ballot on the second day of the gathering of the cardinals in the Vatican, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was selected the next head of [...]
Whatever happened to the valid free exercise of religion? National Affairs Rory Leishman In opposing the establishment of a law school at Trinity Western University (TWU), the Canadian Council of Law Deans have demonstrated once again that they, like our judicial masters in the courts, have renounced both freedom of religion and the rule of law. In a letter to [...]
An evangelical group came under scrutiny from the Canadian International Development Agency, after the Canadian Press reported Crossroads Christian Communication Inc. received foreign aid money to help build wells and toilets in Uganda. The article, written by Lina Dib and Fannie Olivie, attempted to link Uganda’s consideration of imposing the death penalty for homosexual acts to the religious organization’s view of homosexuality [...]
In an interview given 10 years ago, the then-Cardinal Ratzinger was asked about the possibility of his retiring from his position at the Vatican: “Yes, I had the desire to retire in 1991, 1996, 2001, because I had the idea I could write some books and return to my studies.” He then added, by way of explanation: “But, on the other hand, [...]
The vandalized nativity scene in front of Old City Hall in Toronto. A nativity scene in front of Toronto’s Old City Hall was vandalized for the sixth time in seven years. On the night of Nov. 27, two days after its installation, a woman saw a man walk up to the scene, break the glass, and tear the head off [...]
When Christ left this world, Tiberius sat on the throne of Rome, and Rome sat proud and potent over its many conquered lands. Israel was a far-flung province at the Empire’s ever expanding edge, and the Jews feared Rome, just as Christ’s followers feared the Jews. Nevertheless, with His last words, Christ exhorted His small and fearful handful of followers to “teach [...]
In the days leading up to the Euro 2012 soccer tournament in June, the focus of headlines was not so much on which team would win, but on what was deemed to be intense racism on the part of the fans from Poland and Ukraine, the hosts of the tournament. Both countries have a predominantly Christian and ethnically homogenous population. “Racism is [...]