Pontiff 'not guilty'

Priest defends Pope Francis against 'Dirty War' accusations

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner shakes hands with Pope Francis during a private meeting March 18. CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters.

In a Catholic News Agency column, professor and priest Father Matthew Lamb dispels allegations that Pope Francis did not speak out against the kidnapping of two Jesuits during the country's civil conflict in the 1970s.

Father Lamb, chairman of the theology department at Ave Maria University in Florida, discusses the case of two Jesuits who were kidnapped by the Argentine government in the 1970s. From 1973 to 1980, Father Jorge Bergoglio was the head of the Jesuits' Argentine province.

During that time, the military junta that ruled Argentina levelled a "Dirty War" against Marxist and left-wing activists and militants, which included the forced disappearance of tens of thousands of people.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Youngsters participate in Pink Shirt Day

Catholic elementary schools emphasize friendship and mutual respect

Pink-clad students at St. Patrick's School in Maple Ridge learn about respect during the provincial anti-bullying day. "Bullying behaviours are a direct result of a lack of understanding of the importance of respect for one another," said Clive Heah, principal at St. Patrick's. (Photo: Clive Heah / Special to The B.C. Catholic)

Elementary schools across the archdiocese organized various activities in recognition of the provincial Anti-Bullying Day or Pink Shirt Day. Here is what some of the young students did Feb. 27:

The focus of Pink Shirt Day at Star of the Sea Catholic School was on respect. "Respect is one of our three core values at Star of the Sea, along with Reverence and Responsibility," said Grade 4 teacher Joanna D'Mello.

Donning pink shirts saying "Respect starts here," D'Mello's class created short skits similar to the Pink Shirt Day public service announcements on TV. "Our theme was to show that respect starts with us, and with that concept and value we can abolish bullying by treating each other with love," explained D'Mello.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Bishops discuss use of foreign priests

Mentoring builds on inculturation programs

Bishop David Motiuk says international priests often need help understanding cultural
differences, such as increased roles for the laity or the role of parish pastoral councils.

Bishops of Western Canada met Feb. 26 to March 1 to discuss a pilot project that would mentor and provide support for foreign priests before they arrive in the country. The Western Catholic Reporter's Glen Argan writes:

Often foreign priests need help adapting to differences such as an increased role for laity and women, the role of parish pastoral councils, and approaches to financial oversight, which may be different than in their homelands, said Bishop David Motiuk.

The bishops' discussion was led by Sulpician Father Andrzej Szablewski, the human formation director at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton. 

The bishops also received an overview of issues involving the immigration status and visas for international priests from Josee Marr, the vice-chancellor of the Edmonton archdiocese, Bishop Motiuk said.

 For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

'Go out to all the world'

Pope tells cardinals: discover new ways to evangelize

Pope Francis leaves the Sistine Chapel after being elected Pope and shortly before appearing for the first time on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano.

Catholic News Agency has a story about Pope Francis urging the College of Cardinals to courageously persevere in finding new ways to evangelize.

"We have the certainty that the Holy Spirit gives his Church, with his powerful breath, the courage to persevere and to search for new ways to evangelize," Pope Francis said on March 15 in the Vatican's Clementine Hall.

He met with cardinals, including the elderly ones who did not participate in his election at 11 a.m. Friday.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

New Pope lived simple life in Argentina

Father Rosica met Archbishop Bergolio

Father Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light Television, spoke with Pope Francis
before his papal election. The Cardinal asked Father Rosica for his prayers.
(Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic)

Father Thomas Rosica took a walk with Cardinal Bergoglio a few days before his election as Pope Francis. He also met him in February 2001 and witnessed his humble, prayerful lifestyle.

Pope Francis lives very simply, brings a pastoral approach to his ministry, and is a man of prayer, according to the Vatican's press office director.

Father Thomas Rosica, the English-language assistant for the Vatican press office, told journalists at a hastily arranged March 13 press briefing that he had talked to Pope Francis on Sunday, March 10.

"Sunday night we were out for a walk and he pulled me over. He took me by the hand and said, 'I want you to pray for me. I'm a little nervous right now.'"

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope Francis has 'already won our hearts'

New Pontiff to cardinals: 'I hope God forgives you'

Pope Francis appears for the first time on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13.
(CNS photo/Paul Haring)

The newly elected Pope Francis joked with cardinals over dinner March 13, telling them he hoped God would forgive them for having chosen him. Catholic News Agency has a story.

"When the Secretary of State toasted him, he toasted us back and said, 'I hope God forgives you,'" Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan recalled at the Pontifical North American College that night.

"He has already won our hearts, and we had a very fraternal meal at the Domus Santa Marta, where we have been staying," said the cardinal during an 11 p.m. press conference.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Anti-bullying efforts must respect conscience rights

Public schools should respect traditional morality

Theresa and Alan Yoshioka of EnCourage Toronto, a Catholic ministry for friends
and relatives of people with same-sex attraction, experienced bullying growing up.
Alan struggled with same-sex attraction during university. (Photo: CCN)

Traditional views of homosexuality are becoming the target of anti-bullying efforts and gay-straight alliances according to Alan Yoshioka, former gay activist. A seminar by the Catholic Organization for Life and Family focused on the issue, saying public schools should respect varied views on same-sex attraction.

“A public school should respect diversity of convictions about homosexuality by not promoting a single ideology perspective,” developmental psychologist, author and character development specialist Thomas Lickona told the annual Catholic Organization for Life and Family seminar March 7-8.

“A school can do this by teaching: we uphold standards of behavior which honour the dignity and worth of all individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, physical mental abilities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background,” he said. “Respect for diversity includes freedom of conscience as part of that.”

Former gay activist Alan Yoshioka told the seminar that anti-bullying efforts “are being used to advance an agenda I used to espouse.”

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

A New Leaf reveals a living example of charity

New documentary showcases Catholic efforts in Sahel

Women from the Sahel region watch filming of the documentary A New Leaf. 
(Photo courtesy of Salt and Light Television)

A new documentary by Salt and Light Television documents the work of Caritas Internationalis during a food crisis in Niger last year. A New Leaf raises some important issues about helping the poor, and shows how people of other faiths come to appreciate Christians because of the aid they provide.

Unlike videos featuring starving children with protruding ribs, A New Leaf places its emphasis on aid. The documentary is peppered with short interviews of local women and pastors, and with short clips of Nigerians clapping and cheering "Caritas! Caritas!"

CCODP and Caritas Niger are part of Caritas Internationalis, an international umbrella group of Catholic aid agencies.

The Sahel, which includes parts of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, Algeria, and Senegal, is no stranger to difficulty. With only a few months of rain a year, it is prone to drought. Rising food prices, locust swarms, and warmer climates also threaten to starve the locals.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

You can also watch the A New Leaf trailer here.

Smoke signals

It's black at the Vatican: no Pope yet

Pilgrims shelter from rain while waiting for smoke to rise from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel March 13.
CNS photo / Eric Gaillard, Reuters.

Catholic News Agency reported black smoke rising from the chimney atop the Vatican's Sistine Chapel at 7:42 p.m. local time March 12, signalling that the College of Cardinals had not yet come to an agreement in electing the Church's new Pope.

The doors of the Sistine Chapel had been closed earlier in the evening with the declaration "extra omnes": everyone out, beginning the conclave that will choose the next Pope.

The ceremony, called the "Rite for Entrance into Conclave," began with a procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, a walk of about 50 yards through Regia Hall.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Catholics accept medals for contribution to Canada

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals awarded to local parishioners

Tomas Avendano, Cely Fortaleza, Amy Sundberg, Minister Jason Kenney,
Analyn Perez, and Marissa Pena at the award ceremony Feb. 9. Avendano, who was
one of the first 60 Canadians to receive the award, helped Kenney present the Queen's
medals to these four women. (Photo: Christian Cunanan / Special to The B.C. Catholic)

Over the last year, the governor general has awarded 60,000 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to Canadians in recognition of their contributions to our country. Among them were Vancouver Catholics Araceli "Cely" Fortaleza, Amy Sundberg, Analyn Perez, and Marissa Pena.

Amy Sundberg was humbled by the announcement that she had been chosen for the award. Her contribution to the community is largely behind the scenes.

As a Community Relations Organizer, she helps immigrants integrate into the culture. "I encourage them to realize there is so much they can bring to their adopted communities," said Sundberg. She added that she motivates "them to start taking leadership positions."

She also mentors future political leaders and is very involved in Vancouver's Filipino community. Sundberg said she dedicates her medal to the memory of her husband, who was her source of encouragement.

"I'm so used to doing things behind the scenes and pushing other people to the front," Sundberg said, "but sometimes I get in situations where I also have to be in the front."

For the full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Post-abortion healing aids culture of life

Healed women will never have another abortion says Project Rachel founder

Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel says women who have had
abortions have "a hole in their souls as big as a truck." (Photo: CCN)

According to Vicki Thorn, executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, women who have been spiritually healed after an abortion become the biggest pro-life advocates. Deborah Gyapong reports from Ottawa:

It is through post-abortion healing that “God is building a culture of life one soul at a time, one life at a time,” said Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel.

A woman who has been healed will never have an abortion again, Thorn said. A woman who is not healed “will go into traumatic re-enactment” and will have abortions over and over again.

Science reveals that women carry the cells from every child they conceive for their whole life. “They are everywhere in her body,” Thorn said, and they seem to repair cells that become damaged. Children carry the cells of their older siblings.

“Biologically we can’t forget our children,” whether they are born, miscarried or aborted, she said.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

A number of Romans swearing

Florists, bus drivers, and technicians take oath

U.S. cardinals take a short bus ride to the synod hall at the Vatican March 11 for the cardinals' last general congregation meeting before the conclave. CNS photo / George Martell, courtesy of The Pilot Media Group.

Catholic News Agency reports that the evening of March 11, 90 people who will assist the conclave in various capacities took an oath not to divulge anything about it or the events surrounding it.

Among the people participating were "religious for the sacristy, religious for confession, nurses and doctors, waiters and food service personnel from Santa Marta, technical assistants, and people who clean Santa Marta and the Vatican," said Vatican press director Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, at a March 11 briefing.

The list also includes less obvious personnel, such as florists, minibus drivers who transport the cardinals to the Sistine Chapel, and the heads of the Swiss Guard and Vatican Police.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Context for human dignity erodes when faith in God declines

Euthanasia and abortion don't solve problems, they create new ones

Catholic Organization for Life and Family president Bishop Simard speaks at an
annual seminar March 7-8. "Dignity is an essential attribute of every man and
woman simply because they belong to humanity," he said. (Photo: CCN)

Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine and Valleyfield Bishop Noel Simard spoke about human dignity at an annual seminar put on by the Catholic Organization for Life and Family. They argued that the basis of human rights relies on God, not opinion.

If every human being’s subjective opinion becomes a basis for deciding when life begins or ends, chaos will result. Archbishop Lépine argued that if a government or majority decrees a different basis for human life, it would be like decreeing two plus two does not equal four.

He pointed out the understanding of human rights has weakened over the past 50-60 years since the United Nation’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After its ratification it would have been unthinkable for anyone to say, "Because you believe in God, you can’t speak," he said.

When the Catholic vision of God dissolves, so does the project of basing a society on the dignity of the human being because the only unshakeable foundation is God, he said in French.

"We cannot proclaim life without proclaiming God."

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Lectors prepare for Easter's earth-shattering revelations

Former Broadway actor gives reading advice

Father Evanko, seen here in an undated photo, is
teaching a new course for lectors. (Photo submitted)

As Holy Week and Easter Week draw nearer, lectors are preparing to do their best during this important time. Father Edward Danylo Evanko, former Broadway actor and singer, gave a group of lectors some tips.

"Read as if each new sentence is a new revelation," encouraged Father Edward Evanko, pastor of Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.

The clergyman, a former Broadway actor and singer, had been asked by Father John Horgan, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, to impart tips from his 40 years of stage experience.

"It's not just a matter of public speaking; lectors help us to pray and to understand the richness of God's word," Father Horgan commented.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Cenacle to accompany cardinals

Rome youth centre to host perpetual adoration during conclave

People kneel as they receive Communion in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. In his almost eight-year pontificate, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI encouraged a revival of Eucharistic adoration and the use of Gregorian chant.
CNS photo / Paul Haring.

Catholic News Agency has a story saying that a centre for students and young people in Rome has announced it will host 24-hour Eucharistic adoration to pray for the Church and the cardinals in the upcoming conclave.

"As the apostles were united with Mary in the Cenacle at Pentecost, today again the cardinals pray in an attitude of availability to the Holy Spirit," the centre's chaplain, Father Fabien Lambert, said in a March 8 statement.

Adoration at the Centro San Lorenzo will begin one day prior to the start of the conclave at 11 a.m. local time and will continue "until the end of the conclave."

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Fundraiser promotes Lenten reflection

Special collection for CCODP March 17

This is a screen capture from A New Leaf by Salt and Light Television.
The documentary shows the aid Catholic organizations provided
in the Sahel region during a food crisis, of which CCODP was a part.

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) is currently in its largest fundraiser of the year, called Share Lent. Part of this campaign is a Canada-wide collection on March 17.

John Gabor, B.C.-Yukon animator for CCODP, says "It's not just about money, but just as much about a time to reflect."

"Everything is focused on human rights," said Gabor. "It's the whole basis of the organization."

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

You can also check out CCODP's Share Lent website here.

Catholics can "adopt a cardinal," support him with prayer

Father Federico Lombardi, SJ: There is a movement of prayer with the help of a website.

A screen capture of the "Adopt a Cardinal" website.

In light of the announcement of the papal conclave, a new initiative provides prayer for cardinals and, quite possibly, the next Pope:

Jugend 2000 (Youth 2000), an international Catholic youth movement that was founded in 1990 after John Paul II visited Santiago de Compostela in 1989, has crafted an innovative way to involve Catholics in praying for the cardinals involved in the process of electing the new Pope.

They have sponsored a web page-http://www.adoptacardinal.org-in which you are assigned a particular cardinal (randomly) to pray for before the conclave, during the conclave, and for three days after the election.

You can read the rest of the story here and adopt your very own cardinal at this link.

VATICAN DISPATCHES: Scene in an Italian restaurant

Cardinal O'Malley of Boston enjoys pizza after cardinals' meetings

Cardinal O'Malley enjoys reading newspaper on a flight to Rome.
Photo credit: Cardinal Seán's blog

VATICAN CITY – Heads up, wannabe reporters: when reporting overseas, do NOT forget your camera even when you go out for a bite.

I was warned by the concierge at my Rome hotel March 6 that the pizzeria across the street was a favourite hang-out for cardinals, but I didn't heed the warning and left my camera in my room.

"Right," I thought, "as if a prince of the Church would hang out in a crowded, homey, Italian restaurant."

But lo and behold, when I walked in and sat down, a bearded man with a brown habit was only a table away.


My brain kept saying, 'You know that man.'  And guess what? I did know his face, at least. The friar tucking into a pizza was none other than Cardinal Seán O'Malley of Boston.

His distinctive accent gave his identity away as he sat with other self-described "Boston pilgrims."

"We brought our dear cardinal with us," one Bostonian said.

It was nice to see a prelate with enormous responsibilities having fun after a hard day's work at the Vatican.

Anticipated announcement finally made

Cardinals select Tuesday, March 12, for conclave

A prelate holds up a booklet emblazoned with the "sede vacante" seal as cardinals gather in synod hall at the Vatican March 7 for one of several general congregation meetings ahead of the conclave. CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano.

After five days of meetings, the College of Cardinals has voted to hold a conclave to elect the next Pope on Tuesday, March 12. Catholic News Agency has a story:

"The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, said at 5:36 p.m. Rome time March 8, 8:36 a.m. Vancouver time.

"In the afternoon the cardinals will enter the conclave," said Father Lombardi, and the first session of voting will begin in the Sistine Chapel after the cardinals have celebrated Mass "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice" (for the election of the Roman Pontiff) in St. Peter's Basilica in the morning.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Human health depends on health of the planet

Creation story has a destination

Dennis O'Hara spoke in Saskatoon's Queen House. "We no longer believe that
the Earth is the centre of the universe. The only problem is, we still act as if
we did," he said. (Photo: Kip Yaworski / The Prairie Messenger)

Dr. Dennis O'Hara spoke on human health, the environment and theology in Saskatoon Feb. 12. As a chiropractor, naturopathic doctor, and assistant professor, he was able to offer a unique perspective.

“Understanding creation as a sacred revelation, and the creation story as a sacred story with a destination — a story that is going somewhere” is critical to the health and future of the planet, Dr. Dennis O'Hara maintained.

“We often talk about spirituality as something that holds all of our life together,” he noted. “Spirituality provides a horizon of meaning.”

“When we talk about the environmental or cosmological dimension of human health, the easiest way to sum it up is a nice pithy phrase of Thomas Berry: ‘you cannot have healthy people on a sick planet,’ ” said O’Hara, citing the words of the well-known American priest and eco-theologian who died in 2009.

For the full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.