Newspapers over the last few month have all too often had stories about the persecution of Christians. From Iraq, to Egypt, to many parts of the Middle East it is unfortunately becoming common to read about assaults on the faithful. Here in the Archdiocese of Toronto, Archbishop Collins have been very encouraging for parishes to ...read more

There’s been lots of changes in the last week on the Episcopal scene in Canada. Last Tuesday Pope Benedict XVI made two appointments involving Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Quebec. The first involved Bishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix.  He has been named the new Archbishop of Quebec City, succeeding Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who was appointed ...read more

Toronto’s Archbishop Thomas Collins and Salt + Light Television CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica are among the participants of the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications gathered in Rome this week. Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau chief John Thavis reports Pope Benedict XVI addressed the assembly today. To download Flash Player please click ...read more

The theme for the latest edition of Nothing More Beautiful is The Church We Believe in is Catholic. To stress the Catholicity, or the universality, of the Church, this episode takes on a bit more of an international flavour.  You’ll notice flags from a number of countries in the Basilica — representing the many different ...read more

Rosary? Check. Pilgrim’s booklet? Check. YouCat? Check. World Youth Day guidebook? Check. The pilgrim packs are being assembled for this year’s World Youth Day in Madrid. And just like when he became the first pilgrim to register for the August 2011 event, Pope Benedict became the first to receive the pilgrim pack. The Archbishop of ...read more

While some shake their head at seemingly lower number of vocations, the Holy Father says that the Lord still calls people today, and “at every stage of life to share in his mission and to serve the Church in the ordained ministry and in the consecrated life.” The Lord is calling — but we must ...read more

There’s nothing really around that can turn lead into gold, but by God’s grace we can turn trials into love. That line is one of many gems from Archbishop Thomas Collins in February’s Lectio Divina. This month Toronto’s chief shepherd begins a series of reflection on the Letter of St. James.  In this particular episode ...read more

Friday is the World Day of the Sick (read the Pope’s message for the day here) and Saturday marks the 80th birthday for Vatican Radio. Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau chief John Thavis reports. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

The Diocese of Rome has launched a new website for the beatification of John Paul II. Catholic News Service’s Rome correspondent Cindy Wooden reports on this and other news at the Vatican for February 8th. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

Pope Benedict addressed the plenary assembly of the Congregation for Catholic Education today. Among the topics discussed: the internet and seminary formation. Catholic News Service’s Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis has more on this, as well as the Pope’s comments on Egypt, and an American Cardinal takes his titular Church in Rome. To download Flash ...read more