St. Thomas Aquinas deeply influenced Western thought

Saint is everywhere, with even a high school named after him

A chapel marks the spot where St. Thomas Aquinas was born and spent his youth, near the ruins of the castle of the Counts of Aquino at Roccasecca. Tourists are free to roam through the rubble of the old castle. J.P. Sonnen / The B.C. Catholic.

St. Thomas Aquinas has many admirers, young and old. I was always a fan, even before I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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In Australia, bishops face legal complaint for defending marriage

Bishop Anthony Fisher, known for coordinating the 2008 World Youth Day in Sydney, is pictured at the Vatican in this Feb. 21, 2013, file photo. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

The Sydney archbishop has strongly defended the freedom of the Catholic Church in response to a legal complaint claiming the Australian bishops' pastoral letter on marriage violated Tasmania's strict anti-discrimination law. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Thornhill parish beacon of hope for Mideast refugees

Rami Kaai, third from left, leads a team of volunteers at Thornhill's Jesus the King Parish bringing refugee families to Canada. Photo courtesy of Hikmat Dandan (CCN).

Every day Rami Kaai receives at least 50 phone calls from Christian refugees in the Middle East who plead for his help in coming to Canada. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.