BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
The world was shocked by the news out of Belgium that 45-year-old deaf twins chose to be euthanized after learning that they were losing their vision. The case epitomized the “slippery slope” that euthanasia opponents have been warning about. Euthanasia is usually advocated using the example of terminally-ill patients in unbearable pain who give full ...read more
2567 God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always ...read more
Tonight on Perspectives the Vatican is concerned about restrictions to religious freedom and we take a look at today’s General Audience ...read more
Why does the Catholic Church have a vested interest in chaplaincy at airports? Simply put, providing pastoral care for people on the move is a special concern for the Catholic Church. It is summarized in the two greatest commandments, that being “love of God” and “love of neighbour”. More than that, airport ministry is a ...read more
Pope Benedict XVI arrives to begin his general audience at the Paul VI audience hall today. Just behind the Holy Father is Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa! Archbishop Prendergast is in Rome to take part in an event being organized by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), the Congregation for Eastern Churches,  and the ...read more
Earlier today in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI baptized 20 babies inside the Sistine Chapel. There was an underlying tone in Benedict’s address this year. He urged couples and godparents to lead their lives as an example of true Christian virtue even though it may seem unfashionable. If you missed this morning’s festivities from Rome, join ...read more
Check out our newest show, Vatican Connections. Its a weekly look at whats been going on at the Vatican: announcements, special events, appointments and interviews with our own Vatican connections. This week, the Vatican is having some banking problems, and we’ll explain why. Also we look at the Taize Community’s gathering at the Vatican over ...read more
Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, accompanied by their wives, meet with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican Oct. 16, 1969. The pope called the Apollo 11 mission — the first time man reached the moon — a “sublime victory.” Photo description & credit: CNS ...read more
Every year on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Benedict takes part in a special tradition: he celebrates Mass in the Sistine Chapel with Vatican workers who have had babies in the last year. He also baptizes the new ones. This tradition originally began with Pope John Paul II in the first ...read more
In preparation for their meeting today, Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, also President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has written to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. The aim of the letter was to assure them of the prayers and encouragement of Canada’s bishops. Published below is ...read more