The first international forum to explore Pope Francis’ papacy in a Canadian context will be held in Vancouver next week, drawing more than 45 speakers from around the world.
Category: Canada
Catholic doctors speak out against Bill 36 as a violation of conscience rights
Catholic physicians in B.C. are sounding the alarm about a contentious piece of legislation that they fear has opened the door to ideological coercion and possible religious discrimination.
After 21 years, a lifeline to the homeless is in jeopardy
For the last 21 years, the Comfort Coats have been made by the Helpers of St. Anne and St. Joachim at Star of the Sea Parish in Surrey In the past year, Carolyn Wharton and her hard-working volunteers produced 25-30 coats.
Francis Leo installed as Archbishop of Toronto
By Peter Stockland His Grace Francis Leo offered up gratitude to Christ as he was made Archbishop of Toronto at today’s Mass in a packed St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica that was equally filled with the spirit of the Annunciation. “The most important thing is gratefulness to Jesus Christ … gratitude for our salvation, for the...
Ex-offenders grateful to volunteers for ‘new narrative of identity’
By Nicholas Elders Convicted sex offenders struggling to find a place in the world outside of prison often wonder if it’s even possible, and many don’t shy away from difficult conversations about their pain with what they have done, or how they ended up in prison. At the Circles of Support and Accountability’s 20th-anniversary banquet,...
Catholic seniors residence to rise from St. Vincent’s ashes
By Paul Schratz When St. Vincent’s Hospital was shuttered in 2004, Catholic health officials promised it wasn’t the end of Catholic health care on the site. On Wednesday that vision became a reality with the long-awaited news that a 13-storey long-term seniors residence will be built on the former hospital property. The new St. Vincent’s...
Catholic contributions to bring 329 beds to Lower Mainland seniors
By Nicholas Elders The Lower Mainland’s critical housing shortage received a Catholic infusion last week with the Knights of Columbus, Providence Health Care, and the Archdiocese of Vancouver contributing land and money to senior housing projects that will deliver more than 300 beds. In their first new senior housing project in decades, the Knights announced...
Francis offers new development, not new direction: Vancouver Archbishop
By Nicholas Elders A keen pastoral ingenuity, mixed with a renewed emphasis on our responsibilities to the poor and marginalized, are the hallmarks of Pope Francis’ papacy, Archbishop J. Michael Miller says. In an interview with The B.C. Catholic to discuss Francis’ 10 years as Pope, Archbishop Miller said Francis’ chief contribution to the Church...
Writer’s journey with mental illness offers ‘light at end of the tunnel’
By Nicholas Elbers Finishing a book is a major milestone for any writer, let alone someone who has struggled with mental illness throughout her life. B.C. Catholic columnist Lisa Rumpel has done just that. Drawing from her five years of B.C. Catholic columns, Rumpel’s book Arise Shine & Live: On Resilience, Faith, and Bipolar Disorder is a...
Everything is Pawsome at school’s animal welfare club
By Nicholas Elbers When Queen of All Saints teacher Gema Chavez was looking for ways to help students learn about care for God’s creation, the idea of a pet-friendly animal welfare club seemed a natural fit. Now the Coquitlam school’s Pawsome SPCA Helpers Club is not only a hit with the students, it’s been featured...