China has a new Bishop. [singlepic id=45 w=320 float=right]But it’s not cause for celebration in Rome. The ordination is unapproved by the Holy See. And Vatican Press Office director Fr. Federico Lombardi says if there is no Papal mandate, then the ordination is contrary “to the unity of the Universal Church” and a cause for ...read more

Yesterday, the Holy See released the news of three new episcopal appointments for the Church in Québec. Bishop André Gazaille has been named bishop of Nicolet, Québec. The population of Nicolet is nearly 210 000, over 95% of whom are Roman Catholic. Bishop Gazaille was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal in 1971. ...read more

I’ve been telling you about a conversation I had with a friend. The “ProLife” conversation is probably one of the most important ones that we should be able to have. But, most of us do not have the facts or the confidence to do so. So, here’s part 4 of that conversation. But first, you ...read more

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to attend a media screening of the Andrew Rossi documentary, Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times. We often receive passes to screenings for films, and usually only a small percentage share a common interest or “Catholic” angle to reflect on. Page One, though having no Catholic ...read more

Taking a look at the Vatican’s not-so-Secret Archives, bracing for reaction from China, and sixty artists for sixty years of ordination. Catholic News Service Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis covers all this in today’s Vatican report. ...read more

An act that sows division and produces rifts and tensions. [singlepic id=39 w=320 float=right]That’s how a statement from the Holy See describes last Wednesday’s Episcopal ordination in the Diocese of Leshan, China. There was no Papal mandate for the ordination of Fr. Paul Lei Shiyin, and hence the Holy See does not recognize him as ...read more

Last time, and the time before, I was telling you about a conversation I had with a friend. The “Pro Life” conversation is probably one of the most important ones that we should be able to have. But, most of us do not have the facts or the confidence to do so. So, here’s part ...read more

Today marks not only the beginning of a new month, but also Canada Day. It’s a day of thanksgiving for all the many blessings we have in Canada, and to pray for the future of Canada, for government and civic leaders as well. [singlepic id=36 w=320 float=right]It is also the Solemnity of Sacred Heart. Last ...read more

It’s been a busy week for Pope Benedict, with the highlight being his 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. That milestone is the focus of this week’s Catholic News Service Vatican Report with Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis and Rome correspondent Carol Glatz. ...read more

With the launch of the Vatican news site — news.va — earlier this week we had the first tweeting Pope. [singlepic id=37 w=240 float=right]But, the Holy Father isn’t the first Bishop to tweet. And one who is busy in the Twitter universe is the Archdiocese of Quebec’s Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix. (follow him here) Archbishop ...read more