Pastoral letter on freedom of conscience and religion

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) today released a pastoral letter on freedom of conscience and religion. Issued by the CCCB Permanent Council, the letter expresses concern about an “aggressive relativism” in Canada that seeks to relegate religion to the private sphere.

“Legitimate secularity draws a distinction between religion and politics, between Church and state,” the pastoral letter states, but is open to the engagement of religious beliefs and faith communities in public debate and civic life. “Radical secularism”, however, excludes religion from the public square “and from freely engaging in the public debate necessary for shaping civic life.”
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Posted: May 14, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2170
Categories: Documents, Resources • In this article: bishops, Canada, Catholic, CCCB, religious freedom Transmis : 14 mai 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2170
Catégorie : Documents, Resources • Dans cet article : bishops, Canada, Catholic, CCCB, religious freedom

Catholics must accept Vatican II, including on Judaism, Cardinal says

Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – CNS photo By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service [Rome] The Catholic Church’s relationship to Judaism as taught by the Second Vatican Council and the interpretations and developments
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Posted: May 17, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2203
Categories: CNS • In this article: Catholic, Judaism Transmis : 17 mai 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2203
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : Catholic, Judaism

Catholic pastoral letter on Truth & Reconciliation

Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

From June 21st to 24th, Saskatoon will host one of the seven national gatherings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). We are writing to invite you to give serious attention to this gathering and its aims.
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Posted: June 7, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2214
Categories: News • In this article: abuse, bishops, Catholic, Donald Bolen, Indigenous peoples, Residential Schools, Saskatchewan, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Transmis : 7 juin 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2214
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : abuse, bishops, Catholic, Donald Bolen, Indigenous peoples, Residential Schools, Saskatchewan, Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Donald Bolen appointed to Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today appointed the Most Reverend Donald Bolen, Bishop of Saskatoon, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Before being named Bishop of Saskatoon in 2009, Bishop Bolen had served on the staff of the Pontifical Council from 2001 to 2008, with special responsibility for relations with the Anglican Communion and the World Methodist Council. In November, 2008, he was awarded the Cross of Saint Augustine by the Archbishop of Canterbury for his contributions to relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

Editor’s note: appointment as a member of the PCPCU means that Bishop Bolen will share with other bishops in guiding the work of the Pontifical Council. He remains bishop of Saskatoon. We have not lost him yet.
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Posted: June 12, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2191
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Donald Bolen, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Transmis : 12 juin 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2191
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Donald Bolen, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

Auxiliary Bishop appointed for the Archdiocese of Edmonton

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today appointed the Reverend Gregory Bittman as Auxiliary Bishop of Edmonton, Alberta. He will assist the Archbishop of Edmonton, the Most Reverend Richard W. Smith, who is also President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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Posted: July 14, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2207
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Catholic, Edmonton Transmis : 14 juillet 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2207
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Catholic, Edmonton

Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie retires

On July 16, 2012, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Sylvain Lavoie, O.M.I., Archbishop of Keewatin – Le Pas, Manitoba, according to canon 401, §2, and at the same time appointed Father William Stang, O.M.I., as Apostolic Administrator of the same Archdiocese.
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Posted: July 16, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2213
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Catholic, Saskatchewan Transmis : 16 juillet 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2213
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Catholic, Saskatchewan

Catholic bishops welcome court appeal on assisted suicide

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomes the decision of the Federal Government to appeal all aspects of the British Columbia Supreme Court decision on assisted suicide, rendered June 15, 2012. We agree with the statement by Federal Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson, that “laws surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide exist to protect all Canadians, including those who are most vulnerable, such as people who are sick or elderly or people with disabilities”.

In a statement issued June 18, 2012, the CCCB President, Most Reverend Richard W. Smith, Archbishop of Edmonton, underscored the importance of respecting the gift of life, from the moment of conception until natural death. He reminded us: “We are the stewards, not the owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.” (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2280)

The CCCB will continue to monitor this issue closely and offer its perspective as it unfolds.
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Posted: July 16, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2234
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide Transmis : 16 juillet 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2234
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide

Communiqué: Lutheran–Roman Catholic Commission on Unity

The Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity had its fourth meeting from 12-19 July 2012 at the “Johann-Adam-Möhler-Institut für Ökumenik” in Paderborn, Germany. This is the fifth round for an official dialogue which began already in 1967. Looking toward the 500th Reformation anniversary in 2017, the Commission noted that this year will mark also the 50th anniversary of this process of dialogue. Harvesting the results of this ecumenical work, the Commission finalized a document “From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017.”
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Posted: July 19, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2253
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Lutheran Transmis : 19 juillet 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2253
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Lutheran

Margaret O’Gara: 1947–2012

One of Canada’s most eminent theologians and one of the greatest Catholic experts in ecumenism has died. Margaret O’Gara, Professor of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College, entered the realm of eternal life on Thursday, August 16, at age 65. She had suffered from cancer for two years.

In 37 years of work as a theologian O’Gara was able to foster dialogue among Christians for the sake of overcoming divisions between the churches. Besides her teaching, research, writing, and extensive public lecturing, she was a member of official ecumenical dialogues in Canada, the United States, and at the international level. She served terms as president of both the North American Academy of Ecumenists and the Catholic Theological Society of America.
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Posted: August 22, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2235
Categories: Anglican Journal, Memorials • In this article: Catholic, ecumenism Transmis : 22 aoüt 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2235
Catégorie : Anglican Journal, Memorials • Dans cet article : Catholic, ecumenism

New Publication on the Biblical Foundations of the Doctrine of Justification

The Biblical Foundations of the Doctrine of Justification – a publication documenting ecumenical partners’ follow up on the historic agreement by Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the doctrine of justification – is now available in English and German languages.
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Posted: September 19, 2012 • Permanent link: ecu.net/?p=2244
Categories: News • In this article: books, Catholic, Lutheran Transmis : 19 septembre 2012 • Lien permanente : ecu.net/?p=2244
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : books, Catholic, Lutheran