News

In preparation for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will be held from between January 18th and January 25th, 2021, the CRC is delighted to have two consecrated persons, Sr. Gill Goulding, CJ, and Sr. Pauline Boilard, MIC, share their journeys and involvement in ecumenism. Through these testimonies, we will embark on an ecumenical journey which will take us from Scotland to Toronto and from Hong Kong to Montreal.

The Daughters of Wisdom of Canada (DW-FDLS) have launched a book, Le désir de servir (The Desire to Serve), which tells the rich history of the congregation on Canadian soil for over 135 years. They have also launched a web site entirely dedicated to their commitments at home and abroad. This double launch in virtual mode brings to an end a four-year long adventure for historians Chantal Gauthier and France Lord who went back in time and highlighted important moments in the history of the Canadian entity.

Since July 1st the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) of Quebec have had a new leadership team.  Sr. Denise Riel accepted the position of provincial animator for a second term.

Pope Francis marks the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church with the publication of the Apostolic Letter Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart). On this occasion, a “Special Year of St. Joseph” will take place from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021. It is accompanied by a gift of special indulgences granted to the faithful, especially the sick and elderly, “in the present context of the health emergency” made official by a Decree of Apostolic Penitentiary.

Here is a prayer proposed by the CATHII (Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale) for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to be underlined on December 6, 2020. This gathering is also dedicated to the memory of all women who have been victims of gender-based violence.

“Our vocation goes back to Blessed Charles de Foucauld, that of a hidden life, shared between prayer and attention to those around him, especially those most in need, those who had little access to the presence of Jesus. […] Following in his footsteps in 2020 Toronto we try as best we can to live the same mysterious call, in the presence of Jesus of Nazareth.”

On 9 November 2020, in response to the meetings of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to study Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), the CCCB submitted a Brief reinforcing its serious concerns regarding Bill C-7 and the steadfast opposition of the Catholic Bishops of Canada to euthanasia and assisted suicide and to its further expansion in Canada by Bill C-7.

Today, more than 50 religious leaders from across Canada released an open letter to all Canadians in opposition to Bill C-7 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). This ecumenical and interfaith message is a response by religious leaders to the legislation introduced by the federal government on 5 October 2020 which seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and assisted suicide.

On Sunday, October 4th, feast of St. Francis of Assisi, has been published the third encyclical letter of Pope Francis entitled “Fratelli tutti, on fraternity and social friendship.” This 90-page letter, available in eight languages, is imbued with the field experience of Pope Francis after seven years of pontificate. We offer here the complete text of the encyclical letter.