Most priests are not adequately prepared to deal with difficult pastoral situations, according to Vatican officials studying the pastoral challenges to the family. This was one of the topics included in the Instrumentum Laboris, or working document, for the upcoming Synod on the family. The document was the result of a consultation process, which involved ...read more

Henrique Cymerman has made a career out of talking to people who technically, should be his enemies. That was exactly why Pope Francis enlisted his help to bring the Israeli and Palestinian presidents together to pray for peace. Cymerman is the middle east correspondent for several news outlets based on the Iberian peninsula, including Spain’s ...read more

Here’s what’s been happening in the church this week: Antigonish is closing two churches due to “population decline”. One of the churches is considered the “mother church” of Sydney, N.S. Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of St. Boniface takes a look at the future of it’s parishes. Catholics in Caledonia, Ontario are waiting to find out why ...read more

In the lead up to the much anticipated prayer meeting with Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas, it has been business as usual at the Vatican. Pope Francis appointed a new board of directors for the Financial Information Authority and graciously thanked the previous directors, who have all reached the end of their term. The new ...read more

Here is some of what has been happening across the country this week:   In Vancouver, Archbishop Michael Miller wrote a letter calling the faithful of the west coast to take action against prostitution by offering women a way out. The letter comes months after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the nation’s laws ...read more

This week we’re unpacking the souvenirs from Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to the Holy Land, including the pending prayer meeting with Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres. We speak to Fr. Thomas Rosica about the symbolism of the papal itinerary and the significance of his gestures during the visit. Late Breaking Update: Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas ...read more

Monte Jeunesse 2014 happened in Quebec and Salt + Light was there. A special US Military pilgrimage took place in Lourdes, and the Superior General of the Jesuits decides its time to retire. ...read more

Here’s what’s been happening across the country this week: Vancouver has a new seminary. Six men from the Neocatechumenal Way are the first seminarians preparing for the priesthood at Vancouver’s new Redemptoris Mater seminary.  In St. Paul, Alberta a priest was shot and killed by a man who was later involved in a shootout with ...read more

When Pope Francis visits the Holy Land in two weeks, he will have with him representatives of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Also taking part in the visit will be Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, though not as part of the official Vatican Delegation. Last week the patriarch announced he would accompany the pope on his ...read more

This week we look at the historic double canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII which was concelebrated by Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Fr. Thomas Rosica and Sebastian Gomes share some of their experiences from this time, and we bring you the latest papal happenings. ...read more