Man is a great mystery to himself. Human beings ask themselves basic questions such as: how did I come to exist? Where am I going? What is the point of my life? Why am I here? Questions like these are elementary and must be answered if humans are to understand themselves. The Bible, the Word of God, gives us answers to the [...]
Same-sex 'marriage' decision prompts increase in Christian activism When David Mainse stepped down in August as the host of the long-running 100 Huntley Street Christian TV program to campaign in defence of marriage, he commented that the "sleeping giant" of the Canadian church was beginning to awaken. Mainse said that the June 10, Ontario Court of Appeal edict to redefine marriage had [...]
This has been a controversial summer for the Anglican church. For theological conservatives, the worst moment came on Aug. 5 in Minneapolis, when the General Convention of the U.S. Episcopal Church ratified the election of an openly gay bishop. Gene Robinson, 56, a divorced father of two who has been in a sexual relationship with another man for the past 13 years, [...]
On July 31, 2003, the Vatican released its most direct statement concerning same-sex marriage to date. The document, Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons, contains no new teaching: rather, it is intended for bishops, offering them "arguments drawn from reason", and Catholic politicians, outlining for them "approaches to proposed legislation … which would be consistent with (a) [...]
At a White House press conference on July 30, President George Bush fielded a number of questions about Iraq, Saudi Arabia and homeland security. Then a reporter asked: "As someone who's spoken out in strongly moral terms, what's your view on homosexuality?" To begin with, Bush aptly responded: "I am mindful that we're all sinners, and I caution those who may try [...]
After a nine-month process, the board of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada recently announced that it had unanimously made the decision to appoint Bruce Clemenger as its next president, succeeding Gary Walsh. According to board chair Paul Mangus, Clemenger "best matches the needs, vision and mission of the EFC …(He) will lead this vital organization with deep understanding, commitment, humility and persistence." [...]
I think it is true to say that the week of May 12 to May 17 was one of the most inspiring I have experienced for quite a long period. I received an unexpected invitation, through a teacher named Mrs. Cindy Ashton, to speak to the students of St. Joseph's All Girls High School at Morrow Park. The subject was "pro-life" and [...]
Cardinal Ambrozic 'Sorry, disappointed and upset' with PM's abortion stand In widely reported comments, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, said "I am a Catholic and for abortion." The prime minister's remarks were made en route to Athens recently during a frank discussion with reporters in which he boasted that he was superior to U.S. President Bush on fiscal and social matters. Through [...]
"Are you growing tired of the battle?" was the provocative title of the talk given by Father Tom Lynch at the London and Area Right to Life dinner on April 26, in which he challenged pro-lifers to renew their movement. Lynch, a moral theologian, dean of studies and dean of students at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto, is well known in pro-life [...]
Most Interim readers are familiar with the biblical account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The story tells us that Satan presented himself to our long ago father and mother as a friend, and used lies to induce Eve - and through her, Adam - to defy their Creator. The prizes Satan promised - total knowledge, power and freedom [...]
A new bishop has waded into the troubled waters of a Vancouver-area diocese, in the hope of resolving a pastoral emergency so critical it threatens to destroy the Anglican Communion worldwide. Terrence Buckle, Anglican bishop of the Yukon, offered "alternative episcopal oversight" to eight orthodox parishes in New Westminster that oppose the blessing of same-sex unions. But Michael Ingham, the official bishop [...]
Researchers have announced that the human genome sequence is now almost completely deciphered. The decoding of three billion letters of the genetic code in human DNA was completed two years ahead of schedule thanks to advances in computer technology, and gives scientists "the chance to explore everything that is genetically (pre-)determined about our lives," according to a BBC report. Researchers are already [...]
I am writing this column on the day before Ash Wednesday - a little late I'm afraid. But I would like to remind myself and others of the importance of this very special time in the Church Year. The word "Lent" comes, I believe, from an old English word, "Lengehtning" which refers to the lengthening of the day-light hours of Spring-time in [...]
"A time comes when silence is betrayal." I believe that the above statement regarding silence in some circumstances was made by the late Dr. Martin Luther King and I think it perfectly true. Just as I was preparing to write my column, I glanced at the Jan. 24 issue of the Toronto Star and saw the following headline: "Copps to enter Liberal [...]
The principal of the Catholic University of St. Michael's College - an affiliate of the University of Toronto - has denounced a Nov. 8 lecture given at the university by world-renowned Catholic philosopher Dr. Peter Kreeft. Professor Mark McGowan, who was earlier embroiled in controversy over his support for a "gay and lesbian" group at USMC, said in an open letter to [...]