Slavery could seem like something from the past, but taking a good look at the reality of the world today we find that there are 27 million slaves. That is more than in any other period in human history. The Universal Declaration of the Human Rights says: “No one shall be held in slavery or ...read more

As Catholics we all know we have an obligation to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but does anyone stop to think what this means? Does it make sense nowadays to give up meat? Lent is a period when the Catholic Church reflects on the mystery of Christ. As He went in to ...read more

He celebrated his first Mass as a cardinal with Pope Benedict XVI, gave thanks with his priests in Toronto, and now His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins will go to the place where it all began for a special celebration. On March 22, Cardinal Collins will visit Guelph, Ont. and preside at a vespers prayer service. ...read more

Are you in a spiritual rut? Is your prayer life mundane, habitual? Are you praying just because the Church asks you to? Are you really living your faith? How do you inject your spiritual life with new life? On this episode of Perspectives: The Weekly Edition, Pedro asks Ralph Martin, President of Renewal Ministries, how ...read more

Published below is the full homily of Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, as delivered during vespers with Pope Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. Gregory on the Caelian Hill in Rome on March 10. Your Holiness, Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: It is a privilege to stand here, where my predecessors stood in ...read more

Below is Pope Benedict’s homily, as delivered at the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio during vespers in Rome. On March 10 he presided at vespers, along with Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, leader of the Anglican Church. Your Grace, Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Monks and Nuns of Camaldoli, Dear Brothers and Sisters, ...read more

“Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a despot whose shooting and shelling of his own people cannot be defended,” wrote the Catholic Register in a recent editorial, “yet he may be the last line of defence for Syria’s Catholics.” The editorial captures the paradox of a country where, despite a UN-estimated death toll of 7500 civilians, ...read more

Lent is a period of reflection and prayer, of looking for the meaning of our prayers. One community is intimately connected with this search is the Taize Community. The Taize community is an ecumenical society of more than 100 brothers who take vows and commit themselves to the apostolate of reconciliation. It began in 1940 ...read more

As Mass began in Toronto’s Cathedral this morning, more than a few familiar faces lined the pews. The mayors of Toronto and its neighbouring municipalities were in attendance, seated alongside an MPP from the Ontario government, the provincial leader of the opposition, and the Lieutenant Governor. They came to welcome back one of their own. ...read more

Now that Consistory celebrations have ended in Rome, Cardinal Collins has much more to do here at home. To mark his homecoming, His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Feb. 29 at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto. Salt + Light Television will air this celebration LIVE on our network at ...read more