Day one of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Voyage to the Czech Republic has come to an end. The day began at Stará Ruzyn, the largest airport in the Czech Republic, 10kms outside of Prague’s city centre. The Holy Father was greeted by Czech President Václav Klaus and his wife Livia, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, as well ...read more

The movement to enshrine legal protection of the unborn “naturally belongs” on the social-democratic left, writes John Bentley Mays in the latest edition of The Catholic Register. The Toronto-based author and journalist is troubled by the “hijacking” of the anti-abortion effort by the political right, who he claims are “losing the battle for hearts and minds in the public forum.” Mays, who ...read more

What are we to expect from Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Voyage to the Czech Republic that begins on Saturday? One theme of discussion that has come up in the last few weeks is secularization. Just over 31% of the Czech population identify themselves as Catholic, according to statistics released by the Vatican this week. The ...read more

The head of Canada’s episcopal conference is urging Parliament to reject the latest attempt to legalize euthanasia. With the House of Commons expected to s00n debate private member’s bill C-384, Archbishop V. James Weisgerber wrote the country’s MP’s to address popular confusion surrounding end of life issues. Referring to euthanasia’s proponents, the Winnipeg prelate declared ...read more

Obtenir le lecteur Flash pour voir cette vidéo. Salt + Light Television has prepared a new lineup of enlightening programming for Fall 2009 and beyond. As host, I will be joined by all of S+L’s on-air personalities as they reveal the new series, documentaries and specials that you’ll soon see on Your Catholic Channel of Hope. ...read more

As reported on the Wednesday September 23rd edition of Zoom, while meeting in their annual plenary assembly, the Bishops of Quebec held a press conference to release a letter regarding the Ethics and Religious Culture program. Here is the letter: A letter to the Minister of Education on the Ethics and Religious Culture Program The ...read more

If I have an idol in my life, it’s likely my vacation time. Every year I carefully consider my options before committing to a time or place—no city-dwelling staycations for me. My friends can attest to my countless hours spent pouring over websites in search of a somewhat paradoxical destination: it must be prayerful, yet ...read more

We could face today’s problems “more serenely and effectively”, said Pope Benedict XVI, if we reject “lies and violence in intentions, words and actions” and cultivate “sentiments of respect, understanding and esteem for others”. On Sunday, the Holy Father delivered an exhortation for peace prior to the recitation of the Angelus. Included below is ZENIT’s ...read more

The following article comes from Deborah Gyapong of Canadian Catholic News: Bishops poised to become more effective in the public square By Deborah Gyapong Canadian Catholic News September 17, 2009 OTTAWA (CCN)— The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is poised to become more effective in the public square. Two former Members of Parliament—a Liberal ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI’s Wednesday General Audience looked at the Eastern monk Symeon the New Theologian. One point I found interesting, particularly in this Year of the Priest, was the Holy Father’s comments on spiritual direction. Symeon had a spiritual father who helped him greatly as a young man, and our Pontiff invited the faithful to ...read more