Policeman continues to serve society as a deacon

Deacon Dan Ritchie found similarities between being on the force and being an ordained minister

Deacon Dan Ritchie displays his CN Police uniform. He works as an inspector for the force. Dan Ritchie / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

Deacon Dan Ritchie was devastated by a fellow officer's suicide 18 years ago, but it led him towards becoming a permanent deacon. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Orlando shootings cause massive political divide

Robert Hall, a Calgary man, was killed in the Philippines by a terrorist group linked to Islamic State after an $8 million ransom demand was not met.

The Orlando massacre June 12 in a nightclub frequented by homosexuals by a man claiming allegiance to ISIS detonated a political explosion not only in the United States, but also in Canada. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Faraway family members rally around dying mother

Painful experience taught daughter Daisy Chan about suffering, mercy, and the power of prayer

May Chan (centre) gets together with family in this undated photo. "Faith carries you through," said daughter Daisy Chan, who spent countless hours by her bedside. "The Divine Mercy Chaplet says: 'Jesus, I trust in You.' It has been my motto." Photo submitted.

Her mother's battle with cancer taught one Surrey resident the immense value of her faith. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Interfaith representatives call for national palliative-care strategy

Valleyfield Bishop Noel Simard joins representatives of the Evangelical Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths June 14 to call for a national palliative-care strategy. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Representatives of the Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, and Muslim faiths issued a call June 14 for a well-funded, high-quality, national palliative-care strategy. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

ACLU lawyer blames Christians for Orlando shooting

American Civil Liberties Union attorney says Christians caused deadliest mass shooting in U.S.

A girl places flowers at a vigil after the June 12, 2016, mass shooting at a gay night club in Orlando. (Photo Credit: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News)

Early Sunday morning, 29-year-old Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injured 53 at a gay night club in Orlando, the highest death toll of any mass shooting in the United States' history.

According to FBI director James Comey, Mateen had "strong indications of radicalization." He had pledged allegiance to ISIS in a 911 call inside the nightclub, said authorities.

 After the shooting, ACLU attorney Chase Strangio had some choice words directed to those who offered "thoughts and prayers" for the victims and their families.

"You know what is gross - your thought and prayers and Islamophobia after you created this anti-queer climate," he tweeted. "The Christian Right has introduced 200 anti-LGBT bills in the last sex months and people blaming Islam for this. No."

However, leading Christians from organizations rejected the claim, stressing that while they disagree with gay marriage, they promote the dignity of every human life, no matter the sexual orientation.

Matthew Franck, director of the William E. and Carol G. Simon Center on Religion and the Constitution at the Witherspoon Institute, told Catholic News Agency that upholding Christian teaching on marriage is not equivalent to violence.

"Christians who have resisted the redefinition of marriage, and who now want to be free to live what their faith teaches them is the truth about marriage, do not hate anyone, and legislation to protect their freedom is not 'anti-LGBT' except in the minds of the intolerant enforcers of coerced conformity," he told CNA.

For the rest of the news story, visit CNA here.

Syrian family waited four years to escape war area

Local parish community gathered resources to grant moral and material support for refugees

Nadin (left), Natali, Elias, Naya, and Rima Sabe Dayekh arrive at the Vancouver Airport in February. Rudolf Kischer / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

As the Syrian city of Aleppo was torn by conflict, Elias Dayekh knew he had to move his family to relative safety in Jordan. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Euthanasia opponents disappointed as Senate suggests amendments to Bill C-14

Conservative Senator Claude Carignan's amendment that would have required a judicial authorization for any assisted death of those not near end of life was defeated. Deborah Gyapong (CCN)

Euthanasia opponents who hoped the Senate might promote tighter safeguards and add conscience protection in Bill C-14 are disappointed and concerned. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Faithful priest celebrates 50 years of priesthood

'LORD' is an acronym for Listening, Offering, Receiving, and 'Disciple-ing'

Deacon Rennie Nahanee, Father John Tritschler, and Deacon Nahanee's wife Emma pray before dinner at Father Tritschler's 50th anniversary of ordination. Angel Chua / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

The Feast of Corpus Christi was ideal for celebrating Father John Tritschler's 50th anniversary of ordination, said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Photo exhibit chronicles Eucharistic miracles

An exhibit travelling through parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto (seen here at St. Patrick's Church in Markham, Ont.) gives information about Eucharistic miracles that have taken place around the world. Jim O'Leary / Catholic Register / CCN.

The Holy Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. This is the great mystery upon which the Catholic Church is built. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

St. Ann's Church being repaired after blaze

Woman began yelling in the middle Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

St. Ann's is under repair after fire charred the sacristy and smoke damaged the church and rectory. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Pope Francis: Want to celebrate well? Drink wine!

In an in-depth look at Jesus's first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, Pope Francis pointed to several key moments in the scene that illuminate our understanding of Christ. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

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Senate amends Bill C-14 to make assisted suicide more accessible

Senator Serge Joyal

A majority of members of the upper chamber, concerned assisted suicide Bill C-14 is unconstitutional, voted June 9 to get rid of the requirement death must be reasonably foreseeable. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Priest discusses his past in Philippines

Redemptoris Mater seminarian grew up in a missionary family

Father Davide Lanzani is the assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Vancouver. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

Father Davide Lanzani was ordained Dec. 4, 2015, the first Redemptoris Mater seminarian to be ordained. He spoke to The B.C. Catholic about growing up in a missionary family, and about later living in the world's most atheistic country. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Battle over meaning of human dignity underlies euthanasia debate

American Catholic philosopher and author Peter Kreeft spoke in Ottawa at a conference organized by the Canadian Federation of Catholic Physicians' Societies. Deborah Gyapong (CCN)

A battle over the meaning of human dignity underlies the euthanasia debate, American philosopher and author Peter Kreeft told a conference organized by Catholic doctors June 4. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Trinity Western University in court again

Christian post-secondary institution continues struggle to open a law school

Trinity Western University.

Trinity Western University was in the B.C. Court of Appeal last week and is in Ontario appeal courts this week. President Bob Kuhn wrote a statement to friends and supporters:

"This is a vital time for the future of Trinity Western University, and for the future of our freedom. Within the next 10 days, Courts of Appeal in both B.C. and Ontario will be hearing the case for TWU's proposed School of Law."

The university has been criticized for asking students to abide by a Community Covenant during their studies, which, among other things, requires students to abstain from sex outside marriage between a man and a woman.

"This journey and these challenges are about more than a law school - they're about freedom. We're profoundly privileged to live in a country where our freedom to believe in Jesus Christ, to express that belief, and to form a community defined by biblical principles, is protected by the Charter. We pray that the courts will honour and protect this freedom."

TWU entered the B.C. Court of Appeal after the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in its favour in December.

Critics have said the Community Covenant discriminates against LGBT people.

To find out the latest developments in the law school saga, see TWU's Twitter feed or Blog. You can also read more about their law school here.

Catholic professionals bring beliefs in briefcase

Speakers at After Hours event urge young adults to follow their consciences in their workplaces

Panelists Brett Powell (left), Christian Dy, and Cristina Alarcon chat before the downtown event. "I can't leave my faith at the door, because I'm one person. I'm the same person when I'm at home, at Mass, on the job," said Alarcon. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

A local Catholic pharmacist is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs in her workplace. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Euthanasia Bill C-14 passes second reading in Senate

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Health Minister Jane Philpott at a news conference regarding Bill C-14. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Euthanasia and assisted suicide Bill C-14 passed second reading in the Senate June 3 and was sent to the Senate's legal and constitutional affairs committee. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Vancouver parish takes development concerns to city

Parishioners worry about location of a proposed SkyTrain station

Holy Name of Jesus Church. (Photo by Graham Osborne)

Members of Holy Name of Jesus Parish are about To meet Vancouver city planners to discuss the future of the neighbourhood.

On the agenda is Phase 3 of the city’s Cambie Corridor project. That plan includes various housing, transit, and other development projects along a 19-kilometre stretch of Cambie Street.

“We have to be responsible stewards of the property that was purchased for the use of the parish for its mission,” said Father Stanley Galvon.

More than 300 parishioners have signed a petition outlining their concerns about Phase 3. Those concerns include a proposed SkyTrain station at 33rd Avenue, the intersection where their church stands. Find out more here.

Stone-throwing attack on Catholics in Israel shows a 'culture of contempt'

Gravel assault reveals rocky relationship between faiths

Catholic migrant workers from the Philippines attend Mass outside the Community of St. Therese Lisieux chapel in Rehovot, Israel. (Photo credit: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

An attack on Catholics attending Mass in the Israeli city of Rehovot by Jewish youth last month has created a rebuttal by Church authorities.

"It is sad that people in prayer, for [the] most part, women working in Rehovot Jewish homes, were the victims of a hail of stones," said Bishop William Hanna Shomali, an auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The Mass attendees were in the courtyard of a small chapel of the Community of St. Therese of Lisieux May 28 when the attack occurred, reported Catholic News Agency. The Catholic community of Rehovot, located 30 miles northwest of Jerusalem, is mainly composed of migrant workers from Africa, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, as well as university students.

The group of Jewish boys hurled stones at the congregation, hitting a few "although again thank the Lord no one was seriously hurt," the Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics reported.

The bishop noted certain Israeli circles held a "culture of contempt for others," and called for the need to "find solutions to cure society of radicalism and intolerance."

For the full story, see Catholic News Agency here.

Salt and Light CEO talks faith and entertainment

Father Thomas Rosica discusses the influence of TV during Vancouver fundraiser for new projects

Father Thomas Rosica thanks volunteers after Taste and See, the second Salt and Light fundraiser in Vancouver. It was held at the Italian Cultural Centre May 28. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

An English media spokesman for the Vatican and the head of the biggest Canadian Catholic TV network recently greeted hundreds of local fans. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Algonquin women leaders address CPJ annual general meeting

Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation near Maniwaki, Quebec gave a keynote address at CPJ's AGM June 2. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Two Algonquin women stressed the importance of forging a path of reconciliation with First Nations people in the lead at the annual general meeting of Citizens for Public Justice June 2. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Vancouver counts a record number of homeless

Annual survey reveals 1,847 people live on the streets or in shelters

Scott Small, director of Shelter Services for Catholic Charities,
holds open a door to a downtown Men's Hostel.

This year's homeless count has found there is a record number of people without permanent homes in Vancouver.

There are 1,847 people, or 0.31 per cent of the city's population, living on the streets or in shelters. That's the highest number recorded since the annual count began in 2005. Find out more here.

Interested in what the Archdiocese of Vancouver does to help people who have no home? Start here. Also see The B.C. Catholic newspaper, which recently published articles about Downtown Eastside ministries Agape and Good Shepherd.

Archdiocese hosts youth celebration

WYD preparatory event unites young Catholics

Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, presents his experiences connected with World Youth Day to more than 300 youth at St. Patrick's Parish in Vancouver. Father Rosica was appointed by the CCCB to be the national coordinator of the event. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

Young adults enjoying a taste of the World Youth Day experience heard from their archbishop and a media priest. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Several hundred protest against euthanasia as Bill C-14 goes to Senate

Demonstrators step into white garbage bags June 1 to represent the body bags that will result from euthanasia and assisted suicide. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

On June 1, the day after the Liberal-dominated House of Commons sent assisted suicide Bill C-14 to the Senate, hundreds of people protested against euthanasia on Parliament Hill. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Praying today?

LifeCanada promotes prayer and fasting for politicians

Photo courtesy of LifeCanada.

There are only days left before the Supreme Court's deadline for laws that will govern assisted suicide and euthanasia in Canada. That's why pro-life organization LifeCanada is calling on Canadian citizens to pray and fast today.

"In the face of such seismic changes, we ask that you consider offering one day to pray and fast for Canada's legislators, that as this darkness descends upon our country, they may somehow see the light."

More information about the organization is available here or by emailing info@lifecanada.org.

The group has also recently released a report that compiles the results of three polls and finds most Canadians want strong restrictions on assisted dying.

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!