This Past month Fr. Vincent Nguyen was ordained Bishop in Toronto. The Hour (full Video), the CBC late-night show featured an eleven minute interview with the new bishop. He told of his fleeing Vietnam at age 9, living in a refugee camp, the death of his great-grandfather during those tragic years, his settling in Canada, and his journey to priesthood. Archbishop Terrence Prendergast has also posted on the ordination: Archbishop’s Blog
Visit Development and Peace to hear, see, and learn more, and to help by sending an internet message of
support. Earlier this fall, delegates of Development and Peace and a group of Canadian Bishops visited a number of partners in Burundi and witnessed the complex challenges that continue to face the country. The situation in Burundi
• It is estimated that 400,000 lives have been lost over the last 16 years due to civil war and ethnic violence.
• Sixty percent of Burundi’s population are children, many of whom have lost their parents.
• There are 400,000 refugees trying to return to their country and rebuild their lives.
Founder of St. Joseph’s oratory could become first Quebec man to be canonized-link to article in the Montreal Gazette on October 20, 2009
Montreal’s Brother André nearer to sainthood
Link to St. Joseph’s Oratory – I was baptized in the College across the street from the present day Shrine where he had a small office in 1945. St. Joseph’s is one of the most spectacular Canadian Catholic Shrines which is well worth a visit, if you are in Montreal. It will take you at least a half day (if not more) to see everything.
The Bishops of Canada are meeting here in Cornwall this week (Oct.19-23, 2009). For those of you interested in this meeting, you will find that the the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ web site to be an excellent place to visit. Also, Bishop Daniel Bohan of Regina has a post on his blog of this event with numerous pictures: Archbishop’s Blog.
The members of the CCCB Executive Committee for the next two years: (from left to right) Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop Pierre Morissette, Archbishop Richard Smith and Bishop Paul-André Durocher.
In the editorial section of Cornwall’s Standard Freeholder the following Letter to the editor was written by Bishop Paul-André Durocher on October 2, 2009. In the letter he expresses his shock and shame, bewilderment, and sorrow. “My heart goes out to all those who have been deeply shaken by this revelation. My prayers are offered for all of us.” Here is his full letter:
I imagine most readers of this newspaper have been shocked and scandalized at the news that a Canadian bishop has been charged with possession of child pornography. I share their shock, I also feel a great sense of shame that a fellow bishop could have been involved in such a horrible activity. The seriousness of the charge and the immediate resignation of the accused shakes our confidence in his presumed innocence. It also undermines our trust in all persons in positions of authority, including those who, like Bishop Lahey, have used their authority positively to heal breaches with past victims of clergy sexual abuse. In the face of such paradoxical behaviour, I can only shake my head in bewilderment and sorrow.
This weekend the following letter was written by Bishop Mancini to the Catholics in Nova Scotia. It reflects the pain and agony the situation with Bishop Lahey has caused Catholics across Canada. I think we all need to read it, and then try to be still before God – seeking God’s healing grace and the courage to face this terrible challenge once again.
Thomas Merton the Monk who was called by some the Conscience of the Peace and Civil Rights Movements in the 60′s, died in Asia while studying East-West relations, and the religions of the east. He was one of the great Catholic Spiritual writers of his day, and his books are still found on the shelves of many modern bookstores. I mention him in the context of what is happening in Quebec and the new compulsory religious education program. One parent commenting on the recent court decision to forbid parents opting out said, “As a parent, I have a duty and say in what my young child/grandchild learns about religion; that they be taught their own faith and not be confused by other religions. I am a Christian because I believe my faith to be true. I agree with the mother who did not see why her 7 year old son had to study Islam.” (Catholic Register)
Thomas Merton and Vatican II fostered inter-religious dialogue and study, and I support the concept for many reasons, but mainly as an avenue to understanding The God who created all, and the need for all of us to respect the dignity of all. Fostering understanding and acceptance seems to be a role government should play in an effort to promote peace, but is this what is going on in Quebec? The Quebec Bishop’s seem to have adopted a wait and see attitude by declaring a three year moratorium on any position. Cardinal Marc Ouellet is not so sure, and has spoken out against the compulsory nature of the curriculum.
The Quebec courts are siding with the government’s religion course, and it now appears that the case is heading for the Supreme Court. Loyola High School parents have petitioned the courts to exempt them from teaching the curriculum because they are are a private, not a public school. It appears they will probably loose their case, if the recent court decision is reflective of the court’s leanings. Strangely enough the Catholic Register has identified a priest, Fr. Gilles Routhier, as one of the main expert witnesses for the Quebec Religion Course:
Sister Kathryn Cameron, c.s.c, Sister Jeannine Bissonnette, s.s.c.g., and Sister Georgette Thibault, s.s.c.g., of our Diocese of have been awarded the Holy Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by Pope Benedict XVI. The awards were presented to them during a special mass to close the Year of St. Paul, on June 29th at St. Finnan’s Cathedral in Alexandria by His Excellency, Bishop Paul-André Durocher. Read More
Representing Canada’s Catholic Bishops, Bishop Paul-Andre’ Durocher of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall offered a message of solidarity and hope to Canada’s First Nations at the National Day of Reconciliation on June 11, 2009.
(PHOTO: Assembly of First Nations CEO Bob Watts receives gifts from Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher during gift exchange among spiritual, political and First Nations leaders.)*
