Novelist credits Mother Angelica for his success

Raymond Arroyo releases wild new children's series thanks to encouragement early in career

Author and EWTN host Raymond Arroyo (right) meets Catholic Independent Schools superintendent Dan Moric during a visit to Vancouver May 5. His latest children's adventure series has been well-received in both Catholic and public schools. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

The author of Mother Angelica's official biography credits the late nun for strengthening him as a person and a storyteller. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Prelate warns of euthanasia dangers as June 6 deadline approaches

As the Supreme Court of Canada's June 6 deadline approaches, bringing its euthanasia decision into effect with or without a federal law, Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec warned of danger. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Former Conservative MP tours west coast

Stephen Woodworth hopes to expand Democracy Defense Initiative

Stephen Woodworth speaks at Christ the Redeemer Parish hall June 1.

He was the MP for Kitchener Centre in Ontario, and now he's on another mission. Stephen Woodworth is on tour to promote the Democracy Defense Initiative.

"We have entered a new era in Canada when fundamental freedoms, which our ancestors defended with their lives, are under attack by civil authorities," he said.

"As someone who grew up within memory of Nazi tyranny, and in the shadow of the totalitarian Soviet Union, where civil authorities penalized the free practice of religion, ordered citizens to ignore their consciences, invented facts, and ruthlessly shut down opposition voices, I want Canadians to know that the undeclared war on democracy in Canada today threatens not just its immediate victims, but each and every one of us."

Woodworth spoke at Christ the Redeemer Parish hall in West Vancouver yesterday, raising issues including abortion, assisted suicide, and Trinity Western University's fight to open a law school.

In the last two weeks, he's spoken to groups in Langley, Prince George, Vanderhof, Telkwa, Terrace, and Vancouver. His next, and last stop before crossing into Alberta, will be in Abbotsford, in the Magnolia Room of the Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Road.

New survey finds 86 per cent of Canadians pray

Angus Reid Institute polls people of various faiths and no faith to find out who prays, how, and why

Angus Reid of the Angus Reid Institute said while church attendance has been decreasing over the last 50 years, the number of people who pray has stayed strong. Angus Reid Institute.

Prayer is still considered valuable by most Canadians, says a new survey. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Ottawa's House of Hope and Healing fills a unique niche

House of Hope and Healing founder Rita Hughes next to her table of items left by patients to mark the story of their healing journey. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Rita Hughes believes God instructed her to found the House of Hope and Healing 25 years ago, and as she prepares to step down, she and her community are praying for fresh vision. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Cardus Family study reveals Canadian support for marriage weakening

Institution has a role in strengthening communities and protecting against poverty

Caption: Andrea Mrozek, the director of Cardus Family, is the former executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada that has now merged with the Cardus think tank.
A significant poll released May 31 by Cardus Family reveals most Canadians still value marriage highly, but trends show an increase in those who see it as an outdated institution. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Father Joseph Nguyen to become Bishop of Kamloops

Priest who faced imprisonment and life in refugee camp humbly accepts new role

Father Joseph Phuong Nguyen.

The right-hand man of the Archbishop of Vancouver is about to shepherd a diocese of his own.

Father Joseph Phuong Nguyen, 59, has been appointed bishop of Kamloops.

“I was really taken by surprise since I have never thought I would be a bishop,” said Father Nguyen, the vicar general and moderator for the curia in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

The bishop-to-be was born in Vietnam in 1957, the eldest of 10 children. He entered minor seminary there at age 11, then studied philosophy and theology, hoping to become a priest.

His plans for an ordination in Vietnam were foiled when the Communist government took over all Catholic hospitals, schools, and seminaries. After being repeatedly imprisoned for instructing catechists, he boarded a boat that would secretly convey him and other passengers out of the country.

Found out more about the future bishop here!

Memorial aims to heal families

St. Pat's to pilot event

Stephanie Gray says civilized societies embrace and respect life. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

A pilot event of prayer, song, and candlelight has been planned to honour children who were aborted, and to bring healing to their families. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Australian parenting expert starts cross-country tour in Vancouver

Andrew Mullins

Australian parenting expert Andrew Mullins, author of "Parenting for Character: Equipping Your Children for Life," began a cross-Canada speaking tour in Vancouver May 26. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Men's retreat highlights importance of forgiveness

Being a son of the Father means living like the Prodigal Son

Jake Khym (left) speaks to participants Larry Bowen and John Romein. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

Wax on, wax off. Just like Ralph Machio's character Daniel in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid," practice and repetition is the key to sonship with God, said Jake Khym. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Constitutional lawyers debate whether Bill C-14 is better than no bill at all

Hugh Scher

Constitutional lawyers opposed euthanasia and assisted-suicide are divided on whether passing Bill C-14 without further amendments is preferable to no bill at all. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Faith groups seek conscience rights

Archdiocese of Vancouver joins new eight-member coalition

Larry Worthen

The Archdiocese of Vancouver has just joined a band of Christian organizations in the fight for conscience rights. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Senate committee recommends amendments to euthanasia bill

Senator Denise Batters

A Senate committee has recommended amendments to strengthen euthanasia Bill C-14's safeguards and add conscience rights protections to help speed passage of the bill. For full story
 see The B.C. Catholic website.

Outreach team celebrates one year of helping the poor

Good Shepherd Street Ministry delivers candy, socks, and prayers to Downtown Eastside residents

Volunteer Priscilla Correa (centre) stops to give away a bag filled with candy and an encouraging note to a woman as the team walks down the street April 29. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

A group of volunteers in blue jackets are celebrating one year of serving Vancouver's poorest neighbourhood. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Prelate responds to newspapers series on sexual abuse

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, of Ottawa responded to a series of clerical sexual abuse news stories in the archdiocese by acknowledging the great evil and pledging vigilance. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Media group unveils new pregnancy support initiatives

Focus on Life reveals pair of projects to reach out to teenagers and pregnant women in crisis

Students from St. Thomas Aquinas, Holy Cross, and St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary Schools attend the gala. The event collected $86,400 for pro-life media projects. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

A media group in the business of pregnancy support and education is launching a pair of new initiatives. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Amended euthanasia bill includes nod to conscience protection

Lawyer Phil Horgan, president of the Catholic Civil Rights League, poses with Father Raymond J. de Souza in this 2010 photo. Catholic Civil Rights League photo.

The Justice Committee amended Bill C-14 May 11 by adding a clause saying no one should be compelled to participate in euthanasia and assisted suicide. For full story
 see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope Francis clasps top Sunni imam

Seismic meeting seen as a step to reopen dialogue between Christians and Muslims

Pope Francis meets with the grand
imam Sheik Ahmed Muhammad
Al-Tayyib at the Vatican May 23, 2016.
(Photo Credit: L'Osservatore Romano)

The Holy Father embraced the grand imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar mosque during a meeting at the Vatican, which many consider an attempt towards recreating discussion between Christians and Sunni Muslims.

"Our meeting is the message," the Pope was heard to have said to the imam during the meeting.

The pontiff and grand imam Sheik Ahmed Muhammad Al-Tayyib observed the significance of the meeting "within the framework of dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islam," said Holy See press office director Father Federico Lombardi.

The two leaders addressed the commitment on the part of authorities and the faithful of major religions alike to toward bringing world peace, "the rejection of violence and terrorism, and the situation of Christians in the context of conflicts and tensions in the Middle East and their protection," Father Lombardi said.

Read more here.

Father Lynn shares his unique path to the priesthood

Parent of three ordained priest in December
Father Edwin Lawrence "Larry" Lynn was ordained a priest Dec. 4, 2015. A parent of three, Father Lynn spoke to The B.C. Catholic about his unique life experiences which led him to his ordination, including marriage and loss, fatherhood, and a career in the film industry. For the full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Deacon aims to balance faith, marriage, and work

Years of experience with apostolic communities led to vocation

Deacon Raul Abella, ordained a permanent deacon Dec. 8 in Holy Rosary Cathedral, discussed with The B.C. Catholic being a medical sales representative and balancing marriage with his vocation. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Latin America pleads for mining justice

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace urges the Prime Minister to heed a letter from more than 160 Latin American organizations calling for mining justice. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Controversial Croatian cardinal smeared by communists?

Historic evidence reveals Archbishop of Zagreb as target of disinformation

The statue of Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac at his tomb
in the Zagreb Cathedral,  Croatia.
(Photo Credit: Dennis Jarvis via flickr)

Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac may have been a target of decades-long smears and disinformation by communists, says one researcher of the period.

"Stepinac was and remains an enormous hero in Croatia today," Professor Ronald J. Rychlak told CNA. "Just about every church you go into there's a picture of a statue or a piatning of Stepinac. He's truly a national hero over there. And he did stand against the Ustashe. He stood against the communists as well. They imprisoned him."

Cardinal Stepinac was the Archbishop of Zagreb, Croatia from 1937 until his death in 1960 at the age of 61. His acts against the pro-Nazi Ustashe movement are discussed here.

Funding cuts to private schools would force them to close, says head of independent schools

Head of BC's independent schools responds to demands to cut private school funding

Private school students get less funding by the government,
says Peter Froese, the head of Federation of Independent Schools
Association. (Photo Credit: CSN)

School district budget problems has led critics of private schools questioning the value of spending millions of dollars to support BC's independent schools.

But the head of Federation of Independent Schools Association says it's not a time to blame private schools for funding problems.

Peter Froese addressed myths relating to the funding of independent schools in BC. The funding formula for private schools hasn't changed, despite cries that their budget has increased while public school districts are struggling. "We get roughly 50 per cent of what a public student gets for operating expenses " Froese said. "We get nothing for buildings, land or equipment. Those costs have to be borne by the supporters of independent schools."

Other misconceptions he addressed included was how as funding increases for public school students, so it also goes up for private school students. He adds that enrolment over the last ten years has increased by 18 per cent.

Read more here.

Church needs more artists: musician

Philosopher Sam Rocha makes the case for beautiful evangelism

Sam Rocha sings and lectures at St. Mark's College April 27. "Artists have this passionate imagination of the cross that perhaps the faithful don't," he said. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

Artists make good evangelizers, says philosopher and musician Samuel Rocha. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Liberals introduce Transgender Bill

Among the transgenderism advocates was Charlie Lowthian-Rickert, 12, who identifies as a girl, wearing a black sweater over a flowered tunic. Behind them is the blue and pink transgender flag. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould introduced Transgender Bill C-16 in the House of Commons May 17, flanked by dozens of members and advocates. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Church occupation ended after more than a decade

Massachusetts Catholic Church parishioners forced to leave

A sign marks a vigil at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Roman Catholic Church. (Photo Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder) 

The 12-year-long occupation of a Massachusetts Roman Catholic Church preventing its closure is coming to an end, as the Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, said the Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

"We've made this deal with the lower courts that we would vacate the premises within 14 days of the Supreme Court decision," said Jon Rogers, a leader of the Friends' group. "From the very beginning we have promised to exhaust every avenue of appeal available to us and we have now done that."

The closing of the church was a decision that was influenced by the early days of the U.S. clergy sex abuse scandals. Some 70 churches were closed down and sold to cover the Archdiocese of Boston's legal costs.

Read more here.

B.C. Court of Appeal rules against pro-life club

Group has been denied funding, club status, and booking privileges

Cameron Cote

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms still does not apply to a group of students at the University of Victoria. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Mary Wagner released from prison

After being behind bars since her arrest Dec. 12, Mary Wagner (centre) walks out of Toronto's Old City Hall a relatively free woman. Evan Boudreau / The Catholic Register / CCN.

Despite receiving the maximum penalty at a sentencing hearing for her pro-life activism, Mary Wagner walked out of Toronto's Old City Hall a relatively free woman April 23. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Belgians plead with Canada not to pass euthanasia law

'Don't go there' - begs Belgium citizens regarding assisted suicide

Prescription bottle. (Photo Credit: Charles Williams via Flickr)

The Canadian Parliament is considering Bill C-14, a controversial legislation that, if passed, would legalize euthanasia in the country.

But some citizens of Belgium, where euthanasia has been legal since 2002, have a message for Canada: Don't do it.

"Don't go there," Hendrik Reitsema, whose grandfather was euthanized in Belgium, said in one of the video messages created. "Why? You open Pandora's Box to the practice of killing as though it were a normal part of medicine."

The messages, relayed through a series of videos featuring Belgian doctors, lawyers, and family members of the euthanized, warns Canadians of the dangers legalizing euthanasia has for society.

Read more here.

Pro-life group takes hard look at its future

Vancouver Right to Life welcomes new executive director and new president

At a Vancouver Right to Life meeting April 23, speakers Pavel Reid (left) and Peter Nation discussed the direction of the pro-life movement. The group's new executive director, Annabelle Chong, and president Natalie Sonnen shared their plans. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

A pro-life society has just welcomed a new leadership team. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Media campaign shares abortion stats

LifeCanada launched a campaign April 28 to make social media users aware that 280 unborn children are aborted every day in Canada. lifecanada.org.

A pro-life message aimed at publicizing the fact there are 280 abortions in the country each day has hit many social media platforms. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.