By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A deadly militant siege of a Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq, was a “savage” act of “absurd violence,” Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope urged international and national authorities and all people of good will to work together to end the “heinous episodes of violence ...read more

A Synod convoked to Restore Order in the Tower of Babel The Synod of Bishops for the Middle East was convoked to give hope not only to the Catholic Churches of the Middle East, but to all the peoples of the Middle East: Christians, Muslims and Jews. It is a unique historic opportunity to restore order in today's Tower of Babel. ...read more

MONTREAL–Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following statement at a reception in Montreal, October 30, after attending a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Olympic Stadium for the canonization of Saint André. “Your Eminence, Cardinal Turcotte, Archbishop of Montreal; Father Grou, Rector of St. Joseph’s Oratory; Your Honour, Mr. Duchesne, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec; Premier Charest; Your Worship ...read more

MONTREAL — One new Canadian saint will be among those for whom Catholics will give thanks and to whom they will pray on All Saints Day this year. Saint Brother André, who founded St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome, October 17, and enthusiasm for his canonization here has ...read more

Though today we celebrate all the many wonderful holy men and women who have gone before us, November is traditionally a month where we remember our dearly departed, the poor souls in purgatory. We may also want to regularly call to mind the Papal intentions for this month.  Pope Benedict XVI’s general prayer intention for ...read more

Photo - St. Joseph's Oratory ...read more

MONTREAL — Prime Minister Stephen Harper stopped in at St. Joseph’s Oratory on his way to the Olympic Stadium for the grand Canadian celebration for the canonization of Saint Brother André. He was greeted by Fr. Claude Grou, CSC, rector of the shrine that was founded by Saint Brother André more than a century ago. ...read more

The annual meeting of the Canadian bishops has come to a close. And just in time—the bishops are leaving Cornwall, Ontario for nearby Montreal to celebrate the Mass of Thanksgiving for the canonization of Brother André. (S+L will broadcast the Mass live in French at 1:30 pm ET, repeating in English at 9:30 pm ET.) ...read more

You could call it Latin lessons with Edmonton’s Archbishop Richard Smith. Credo Ecclesiam unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam.  Its translation would perhaps be best rendered as “we profess the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” Credo Ecclesiam means that we accept and profess that the Church is a work of God, that it is part ...read more

The Synod of Bishops for the Middle East came to a conclusion last Sunday. Catholic News Service’s, Cindy Wooden and John Thavis offer a wrap-up on some of the issues that were discussed. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more