News & Events

Spring 2011

Published December 01, 2011 20:41


International News

To mark the 500th anniversary of the reformation (1517), the international Lutheran-Catholic unity commission is preparing a text which will show what Lutherans and Catholics can say together after five centuries of separation. At the December 16 visit of a Lutheran delegation to Rome under the leadership of Munib Younan, Lutheran bishop of Jerusalem and president of the Lutheran World Federation, Benedict XVI expressed the wish that the close contact and the serious dialogue which characterize the relations between Catholics and Lutherans may continue to bear fruit particularly in the areas of theological dialogue and practical cooperation among local communities. Bishop Younan said: "We intend our anniversary to be ecumenically accountable: to recognize both damaging aspects of the Reformation and ecumenical progress since the last major Reformation anniversary." "We cannot achieve this ecumenical accountability on our own, without your help," the bishop continued. Thus we invite you to work together with us in preparing this anniversary, so that in 2017 we are closer to sharing in the Bread of Life than we are today." The pope visited the parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rome for the first time last March 14, twenty-seven years after the visit of John Paul II. (Translated from Radio Ville-Marie)


Archbishop Giovanni Ferrofino who saved some 10,000 Jews during the Second World War died at 98 years of age on December 20. Gary Krupp, founder of the Pave the Way Foundation recounted that Pius XII sent (Archbishop Ferrofino) to the president of Portugal to request visas for Jews entering Portugal. When sent to the Dominican Republic in 1939, Archbishop Ferrofino would regularly receive double encrypted telegrams directly from Pope Pius XII, from 1939-1945. He personally decoded these messages and would travel a day and half to General Rafael Trujillo, president of the Dominican Republic, and hand deliver the requests. "The Pope would ask for over 800 visas for the Jews," Krupp explained. "The Vatican was able to gain transatlantic crossing out of Europe. This happened at least twice a year, asking for over 1600 visas per year for Jews escaping from Portugal and Spain. Archbishop Ferrofino also further helped these refugees to get into Canada, the U.S. Mexico and Cuba. He saved, through Pius XII's direct instructions, over 10000 Jews." (Zenit)


An interreligious section in the Schaerbeek Cemetery in Brussels, Belgium has been inaugurated. Now the bodies of deceased Muslims can rest on their right side facing Mecca and Jews who have died can lie on their backs with their feet pointing toward Jerusalem. (Translated from la revue Sainte Anne)


A Turkish government official has said that Christians and Muslims should be allowed to worship again in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia basilica, eight decades after it was turned into a museum by the country's secularist authorities. Hagia Sofia was built as a place of worship- it served people this way as a church and mosque for more than 1000 years, said Mehmet Akif Aydin, an expert with the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which monitors religious activities in Turkey. "As a Muslim, I d like it to become a mosque. But if Hagia Sofia were opened to Muslim worshippers on weekdays, it should also be opened to Christians on Sundays. It disturbs me that it's just a museum and tourist destination." (The Tablet)


Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople told the members of a Holy See delegation representing Benedict XVI in a fraternal visit with participation in the divine liturgy and other celebrations in Istanbul, that the theological dialogue between their churches is maintained "by the unanimous decision of all the autocephalous Orthodox Churches to examine, in love and sincerity, both the theological questions that unite as well as those that divide, until we all arrive at the unity of faith." "We pray for its success," he said, "especially during this present phase in which controversial topics are being debated that in the past were the cause of acute conflict between our churches." In this regard, the patriarch referred to the recent plenary session of the International Mixed Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church held in Vienna in September. The meeting participants discussed the role of the Bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church in the first millennium. (Zenit)


A retired professor from Switzerland has been asked to head the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, becoming the first Protestant to lead the Vatican's science council. The appointment of Werner Arber, A former microbiology professor from the University of Basle was announced by the Vatican press office in January. A molecular biologist, Arber received the Nobel prize for Physiology and Medicine in 1978 together with Hamilton Smith and Daniel Nathans, for the discovery of restriction endonucleases. The development of recombinant DNA technology is based on their work. (Zenit)


An international colloquium dedicated to Nazareth could be the first step toward officially declaring the city as patrimony of humanity. The Nov 21-24 colloquium on "Nazareth: Archaeology, History, and Cultural Patrimony", was organized by the Mary of Nazareth Association, the International Mary of Nazareth Center and the Nazareth Cultural and Tourism Association, with the support of the Israeli Commission for UNESCO, the French Cultural Center of Nazareth and the Italian Cultural Center of Haifa. Omar Massalah, Muslim secretary of the Mediterranean Peace Forum and author of the proposal that UNESCO declare Nazareth patrimony of humanity, explained that this "would be the best way to protect the city, to avoid transformation and modernization putting an end to Nazareth's soul." He expressed his intention to speak with the Arab countries "to support the petition, as it is not an initiative with a political connotation, but a cultural issue." Massalah explained, "For the Mediterranean Peace Forum, with headquarters in Paris, the objective is to promote a culture of peace and dialogue, particularly among believers, and more concretely, between Catholics and Muslims, as both have many values in common." He noted that the Virgin Mary, "who is venerated by Muslims, could play a role of rapprochement." The Qur'an says that the Virgin Mary is the woman with the most virtues. "Muslims have great respect and veneration for her. I believe the Virgin is hope, peace, love and tenderness," he added. More than 20 participants - Christians, Jews and Muslims - spoke at the colloquium. The Mary of Nazareth French Association, which promoted the colloquium, announced that the opening of the newly completed International Mary of Nazareth Center is scheduled for March 25. The center's management, reception and biblical and spiritual formation programme will be entrusted to the Chemin Neuf Community whose charism is to work for unity and reconciliation. The mayor of Nazareth closed the colloquium by expressing the hope that a book will be published of all the addresses given. The colloquium's organizers stressed the success of the meeting and expressed the hope to have another session next year. (Zenit)


Last December, the Grand Mufti of Lebanon expressed his resentment at the recent violence in Iraq against Christians, because according to him Christians and Muslims in the Middle East have always coexisted despite difficulties. Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Kabbani proposed that Christian and Muslim Spiritual Leaders of the region prepare a statement condemning all acts that trigger interreligious animosity among communities. The Sheikh offered to contact spiritual leaders in Egypt and Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region and invite them to participate, and requested the cooperation of Catholicos Aram I for the Christian contribution. His holiness Aram I affirmed the centuries long conviviality between Christians and Muslims in the region, and promised to discuss the proposal with Christian Spiritual Leaders. (Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia)


The 33rd European meeting organized by the Taizé Community, held in Rotterdam Dec. 28- Jan. 1, brought some 30,000 young people to the city, at the invitation of the Bishops Conference of the Netherlands, the General Council of the Dutch Protestant Church and the Netherlands Council of Churches. Some 150 churches hosted the youth in the mornings, while in the afternoons of the 5-day event, the young people joined together at an exhibition center for meals and prayer. During the afternoon workshops they reflected on the sources of faith and their commitment to serve Christ in the Church and in society. (Zenit)


A delegation of representatives of the Lutheran World Federation on a December 16 official visit to Rome was led by the new president of the federation, Reverend Munib Younan. The Holy Father spoke of the next seven years leading up to the 500th anniversary of the 1517 "events", when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of all Saints Church, and thus sparked the Protestant Reformation. He noted that for the occasion of the anniversary, the International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on unity is preparing a joint text which will "document what Lutherans and Catholics are able to say together at this point regarding our closer relations after almost five centuries of separation." The Commission is currently studying the theme "Baptism and Growing Church Communion." Speaking about the 500th anniversary of the Reformation movement to be observed in 2017, Bishop Younan said: "we intend our anniversary to be ecumenically accountable: to recognize both damaging aspects of the Reformation and ecumenical progress since the last major Reformation anniversary." "We cannot achieve this ecumenical accountability on our own, without your help," the bishop continued. "We are called, both Lutherans and Catholics, to our common vocation of witnessing to the world for the sake of Christ's kingdom. "Thus we invite you to work together with us in preparing this anniversary, so that in 2017 we are closer to sharing in the Bread of Life than we are today."


Christians and Muslims might lack a common dogmatic base from which to discuss theology, but they share devotion and esteem for a woman who brings them together: Mary, mother of Jesus. This reflection was offered by Father Joseph Saghbini, a priest of the Greek Catholic Melkite patriarchate of Jerusalem, in speaking about a Dec 15 conference in Damascus, sponsored by the Syrian president and Patriarch Gregorios III Laham, patriarch of Antioch for the Greek Melkite Church. Some 100 people participated - Christians and Muslims, representatives from Eastern Churches, and participant from Lebanon, Jordon and other Arab nations. The Christian point of view is: Mary is the elected Virgin and Mother of God and we are venerating her and we are praying to her. She is the intercessor for us with Jesus Christ. The Muslim point of view is: Mary is a social woman and the best among the women. In Lebanon, for example, a common feast day for the honour of Mary has been introduced. On this day Christians and Muslims have the possibility to venerate Mary in their own religious approaches. Fr. Saghbini feels that Brotherhood (Ikha' in Arabic) between Christians and Muslims was intensified and supported by the lectures given at the conference. The daily talks between Christians and Muslims should be led and should be based on the foundation of love, mutual tolerance and respect. In this manner a common dialogue, for a common search for truth, enables a better understanding of each other and the exchange of personal points of view and experiences. Similar meetings are planned in Lebanon, Jordon and Egypt and it is hoped the encounters between Christians and Muslims to take place may lead to a better knowledge and understanding between the cultures and religions. (Zenit)


For the 25th anniversary of the interreligious prayer for peace organized by John Paul at Assisi on October 27, 1986, Benedict XVI invites our Christian brothers of all denominations' representatives of the world religions and all men of good will to join him in Assisi next October. The pope hopes that the dedication of the members of each religion to live their faith as a service in the cause of peace will be "solemnly" renewed. (Translated from Radio Ville-Marie)


The eighth meeting of the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic dialogue took place from 24 to 29 January 2011 at the Vatican. On 25 January the representatives of the Oriental family of churches met to discuss the agenda and that evening they attended the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebration presided over by Pope Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls. During the following three days, the Joint Committee discussed the theme "Communion and Communication among the Churches before the middle of the 5th Century: The Role of the Clergy. The meeting ended with a dinner hosted by the newly appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christianity, Cardinal Kurt Koch. On the 28th of January the members of the dialogue commission met with the Pope. The Ninth session of the theological Dialogue will be held 16-23 January 2012 in Ethiopia." (Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia)


The Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) begins a new phase of dialogue with a meeting scheduled for May 17-27 at the Monastery of Bose in northern Italy. This third phase of ARCIC talks will consider the "Church as Communion - Local and Universal", and "How in Communion the local and Universal Church Comes to Discern Right Ethical Teaching." The co-chairmen of this phase are Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, England and Anglican Archbishop David Moxon of the New Zealand Dioceses. The dialogue, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Faith and Order of the Anglican Communion, has taken place over the past 40 years. Canadians on the commission include Trent-Durham Anglican Bishop Linda Nicholls and Anglican co-secretary Rev. Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan. Nicholls has been a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada for nine years. Ultimately, only good things can come of a really serious discussion of the nature of the Church and our unity in Christ, said Nicholls. (Zenit)


Major Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant groups in Massachusetts have joined together to defend a federal law that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The federal Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) became law in 1996, but was struck down last July in Massachusetts where same sex marriage is recognized by the state's Supreme Judicial Court. The groups affirmed that despite theological differences, they are united in their view of the social and legal importance of defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. "We steadfastly defend our belief that traditional marriage is both divinely ordained and experientially best for families and society," they said. "This considered judgment is informed by our moral reasoning, our religious convictions and our long experience counselling and ministering to adults and children," the groups affirmed. (Zenit)


The annual meeting of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), held February 17-20 in Belgrade, Serbia, focused on the theme, "National Identity and European Integration: The Contribution of Christians." The Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican leaders affirmed that "religious freedom is a right and a value that every democratic society should be open to promoting and safeguarding." The meeting participants added, "It is correct to say that the economic crisis has in fact placed before countries the challenge of having to choose between protectionism and solidarity." They continued, "And we hope that ecumenism, as a space where traditions, communities and persons meet, may always be able to grow and to witness the commitment of Christians to keep alive the love which make us followers of Jesus, in order that we may become agents in building true peace." Next year's meeting will take place Jan. 26-29. (Zenit)


A rabbi, a Sufi master and a Catholic priest led an inter-faith dialogue seminar at the Château de Bossey near Geneva, Switzerland, December 2010. Fr Laurence Freeman's presentation of the theme of Sacredness and Silence was followed by brief introductory remarks from Dr Skali and Rav Guedj who spoke particularly powerfully at the beginning of the Jewish Shabbat. On Saturday, there were conferences from the three speakers further developing the theme and each speaker led the participants in periods of contemplation as it is experienced in their tradition. (Christian Meditation Newsletter)


A two-day Interfaith Conference on Meditation was held in November in Barcelona. Teachers from the Sufi, Tibetan Buddhist, Taoist, Vedanta, Christian Zen and Christian Meditation traditions listened to and respected the truth in each other. There were differences, especially in the theological descriptions of the Ultimate: God, Brahman, the Tao and the Void, but when describing the spiritual discipline of meditation and the experience in the depth of the soul the similarities were profound. In such an environment, it was clear to see that each wisdom tradition shares in the One Truth. The atmosphere of harmony and friendship proved the truth of John Main's teaching that "meditation creates Community". (Christian Meditation Newsletter)


Canadian Linda Bond is the new world leader of the Salvation Army. She is the third woman to take up the post of General since the Salvation Army was founded 146 years ago. The 64 year-old Bond will be at the head of over a million Salvationists working in 123 countries and communicating in 175 languages. The Salvation Army had been active in Canada since 1882. Through its 400 collectivities in Canada, the salvation Army gives hope and support to the most vulnerable members of society. (Translated from Radio Ville-Marie)


National News

At a celebration on Parliament Hill November 24, the rector of Rome's Pontifical Irish College, Msgr. name="" L name="" name="" name="" name="" name=""iam Bergin, was the special guest speaker marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Sean O'Sullivan Room in 1990. O'Sullivan studied for the priesthood at the Irish College after he left politics in 1975. When O'Sullivan was first elected a Member of Parliament, representing his home-town Hamilton-Wentworth riding, he was the youngest MP in Canadian history at age 20. He was ordained in 1981, subsequently diagnosed with leukemia and died in 1989 at the age of 37 after a long battle. A year later, the House of Commons passed a unanimous resolution to set aside a room on Parliament Hill in his honour. The Sean O'Sullivan Room is open to people of all religious faiths and known as a place to pray, to reflect, and to gather - perhaps for a Catholic mass, Orthodox vespers or other religious celebration. It also accommodates Bible studies and talks of a spiritual nature for Parliamentary staff and MPs. (Prairie Messenger)


Kairos, a Canadian ecumenical social justice coalition, spearheaded a nation-wide drumming initiative in celebration of the government's endorsement of a UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Kairos' national "day of action" - which originally intended to use drum circles as part of a call for the government to endorse the UN Declaration - was reworked to become a celebration of progress, and an encouragement to implement policies consistent with the document. When the UN adopted the Declaration in Sept. 2007, Canada joined the U.S. New Zealand and Australia in opposing it, although both New Zealand and Australia have since reconsidered their positions. In a statement issued the day of its endorsement, the government said, "We have since listened to aboriginal leaders who have urged Canada to endorse the Declaration and we have also learned from the experience of other countries. We are now confident that Canada can interpret the principles expressed in the Declaration in a manner that is consistent with our Constitution and legal framework." (Presbyterian Record)


With the establishment in the United Kingdom of the first ordinariate for former Anglicans, the Catholic Church in Canada is exploring the level of interest among Anglicans here for their own ordinariate. Toronto's Archbishop Thomas Collins is the Vatican delegate charged with looking into the possibilities of establishing an ordinariate in Canada. Ordinariates are the canonical structure that provides for Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while maintaining elements of their distinctive Anglican patrimony. This structure was made possible with Bendict XVI's 2009 apostolic constitution, "Anglicanorum Coetibus" (Groups of Anglicans). Archbishop Collins plans a March 24-26 conference for Anglicans who would like to learn more about implementing "Anglicanorum Coetibus" in Canada. There is a Web site with information, including an explanatory letter from the archbishop: www.archtoronto.org/ordinariate/ (Zenit)


A formal theological dialogue between Evangelicals and Catholics in Canada began with the first set of meetings held March 24-25 in Toronto. Evangelicals and Catholics have been meeting informally since 2008. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada have participated together in interventions before various courts, and in the public square on issues such as traditional marriage. Margaret O'Gara, a theology professor at Toronto's University of St. Michael's College who has been involved in Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox Dialogue for the past 35 years said the theological discussions will not be issue-driven but probe the theological foundations both partners share as well as explore where they disagree. It will explore questions such as "Who is Jesus Christ?" "What does it mean to believe in God?" and "How can the Christian faith be preached in Canada?" The Catholic members of the official dialogue include Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan as Co-chair Margaret O'Gara, Sr. Susan Mosteller, CSJ, Fr. James Hutton, Brett Salkeld and CCCB ecclesial and interfaith relations senior advisor Jonas Abromaitis. The EFC participants are co-chair David Freeman, Alan Anderson, Rev. Scott Doggart, Davis Guretzki, Victor Shephered and EFC vice president of ministry services Aileen van Ginkel. (The Catholic Register)


After more than 30 years of official dialogue Christians and Jews in Canada may be looking at a new relationship as the Canadian Jewish Congress which has represented the Jewish side in the dialogue could cease to exist as early as June. That doesn't mean Catholics won't have a Jewish partner in the dialogue next year, but it may mean a more limited focus on Israel and related political issues. Dr. Victor Goldbloom, who has participated in official Christian-Jewish dialogue in Canada since the first body was established in 1977, doesn't believe a more intense focus on lobbying and advocacy will change interfaith relationships. "If the CJC became more political I don't think it would change an awful lot," said Fr. Murray Watson, a Catholic representative in Christian-Jewish dialogue. But I think it might marginalize some of the really good religious conversation that goes on. The question is not so much whether we talk about politics, but given that politics is at the centre of the discussion, can we find ways to talk about religion?" (The Catholic Register)


Christian Life Community (CLC) has a 500-year history of forming adults in prayer, community, service and mission. Although its origins are in the Roman Catholic tradition, CLC is also open to members of other Christian traditions. The spiritually of CLC is rooted in the Gospel and the life of the church. Members form small communities of six to eight people and meet regularly to share their lives of prayer and apostolic mission. In Canada there are more than 60 communities in five regions: Atlantic, Quebec (where it is called Communauté de vie chrétienne, or CVX), Central Prairie, and Rockies/B.C. The small local communities are connected to all CLC groups, currently in 66 countries around the world, by the common charism and shared desire to live their lives as companions of Jesus, continuing his mission in the world. Some work directly with the marginalized of their own cities; some work for social justice for aboriginal Canadians; some support refugees and other new Canadians; some champion environmental causes. (Prairie Messenger)


Cardinal Walter, the former president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, was honoured by the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury with the award of a Lambeth Cross. With the aid of the Nilean Club, an ecumenical association of the Church of England, Anglican Archbishop Roman Williams presented the cardinal with a Lambeth Cross, which is conferred on religious leaders who have rendered exceptional service to the cause of Christian unity, and in particular, with the Anglican Communion. In an address on the evening of January 20, Cardinal Kasper noted, "We know that the unity of the Church is not an end in itself but helps to fulfill the mission of the Church to spread the Gospel and its values in a world which needs it so much in order to come to more justice, freedom and peace." He added "We can do it only together and we should try to do it as much we can together." Cardinal Kaspar stated, "Ecumenism is not dead. It is lively and it is engaging in a new hopeful phase of its history." (Zenit)


The 22nd annual Jewish-Christian dialogue day was held in Italy on January 17. The annual event which began in 1990 is sponsored by the Italian bishops' conference and Jewish leaders. The religious leaders continued with a program that began in 2005 to focus on the Ten Commandments. This year, the discussion turned to the Commandment: Honour your father and your mother. (Zenit)


The official dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Canada decided to take on poverty, climate change, the Millennium Development Goals, faith formation of the next generation and politics at its annual dinner on the campus of the University of Toronto Jan 11. Solidarity with the world's poor is a core responsibility of all people of faith, said Canadian Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton. Defining religion and analysing its philosophical implications is less important in Islam than the practice of justice and mercy, said McMaster University Muslim scholar Prof. Lyakat Takim. When Muslims say that to save a life is to save the whole world, and to destroy a life is to destroy the whole world (Quran 5:32), Catholics discover that theological concepts in Christianity and Islam are not terribly different, said Josephine Lombardi, St. Augustine's Seminary professor of systematic theology and a Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops representative on the National Liaison Committee of Muslims and Christians. The idea that faith communities can define the way forward on the big questions was the central theme for the evening, said Ishraq Alim of the University of Toronto's Muslim Student Association. (The Catholic Register)


A shared statement on marriage is being prepared by a joint committee from the Roman Catholic/United Church of Canada Dialogue. The draft is the result of six years of focused dialogue in marriage and it could be another two years before it is made public. It will be a joint statement but not a consensus document, said Julien Hammond, Edmonton archdiocese ecumenical officer who participates in the dialogue on behalf of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). For the Catholic Church, marriage is a social institution composed of a man and a woman in a life-long commitment that best provides for the procreation and raising of children for the greater good of society. The United Church argues that marriage should be redefined to two persons so as to include committed, life-long relationships between same-sex partners. The dialogue group decided to take a theological tack, exploring tradition, Scripture, the sociological context and "what our respective church teachings mean for this time and place," said CCCB Assistant General Secretary Bede Hubbard. "The United Church is always pushing towards a greater inclusiveness, while the Catholic Church is wanting to respect the tradition that has been handed down," he said. The different approaches mean that while the churches "basically agree on the theology of marriage," they don't agree on "the people who are going to be subject to that theology". (The Catholic Register)


Teachers from secular universities are coming to the defence of Canadian Christian universities that were censured by the Canadian Association of University teachers (CAUT) for allegedly denying teachers academic freedom. CAUT decided to scrutinize Trinity Western University in B.C., Redeemer University College in Ancaster, ON, Crandall University in New Brunswick and Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. CAUT executive director James Turk said the association objects to Christian universities making it a condition of employment that teachers pass a faith test. CAUT is also concerned that being required to adhere to Christian principles requires teachers to stick to a narrow approach to curriculum which might restrict a teacher's future employment. Paul Allen, associate professor of Theological Studies at Montreal's Concordia University said it bothered him that CAUT appears to be using the issue of academic freedom to mask what is really an "anti-religious ideology". Allen has launched a campaign to defend the Christian colleges. "I thought it was high time that people from the public universities take a stand on actions that are unwarranted and invasive," he said. So far, 150 academics have signed the petition asking CAUT to "cease its harassment of these institutions, for which there is no mandate from the membership at large."


Ernie Regehr, co-founder of Project Ploughshares, an ecumenical peace agency of the Canadian Council of Churches, was presented with the 26th Pearson Peace Medal by Governor General Johnston in a ceremony at Rideau hall Jan. 21. The medal is named after former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, who was awarded the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize. It is presented by the United Nations Association of Canada (UNA-Canada). "Today, we recognize a lifetime in the service of peace, disarmament and dialogue," said the governor general in presenting the medal. "Dr. Regehr, you are a worthy heir to Lester Pearson, and to the remarkable Canadians who have preceded you in receiving this medal," he added. The first recipient was Canadian Roman Catholic Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger in 1979. (The Catholic Register)


Regional News

The West

This past fall, the Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations honoured the Rey Arthur Anderson with its Citizen of the year award. A member of the George Gordon First Nation, Anderson served 29 years with the Canadian Forces and has spent 22 years as an Anglican priest, trying to bridge the gap between First Nations and non-First Nations cultures. (The Saskatchewan Record)


Catholics, Muslims and evangelical Christians in Fort McMurray are providing an example of interfaith co-operation by sharing land for their worship facilities. The three faith groups all require larger worship facilities to accommodate growing congregations. Since some of the churches were built 30 and 40 years ago, Fort McMurray's population has almost tripled, from 35,000 to almost 100,000 people. "Our three faith groups were all looking for property for future development," said Glen Forsberg, senior pastor at McMurray Gospel Assembly. "The province owns all of the land around here. They didn't want to deal with the different faith groups individually, and wanted them to partner together." A consortium was formed, with representatives from St, John the Baptist Catholic Parish, McMurray Gospel Assembly and Markaz-Ul-Islam and the provincial government released 26 acres for the group in Abrams Land. Markaz-Ul-Islam's mosque was completed in 1991. More than 600 Muslim families live in Fort McMurray. Recently they have been renting a school gym for worship services because their mosque is too small to accommodate everybody. Their new Islamic Centre will include a mosque and a school. "Someday when you walk onto that land, you're going to see a mosque, a Catholic church and a Protestant church all standing corner to corner," said Fr. Paul Thekkanath. The city's Christian churches have always had a sense of caring for one another, Forsberg said. That co-operation has been amplified by working with a non-Christian group. (Prairie Messenger)


Partners in Worship celebrated ten years of shared ecumenical ministry in Shell Lake, Saskatchewan. In 1998, two struggling congregations began formally sharing services with pastors, guest ministers and lay persons from Lutheran, United, and Anglican denominations. This arrangement eventually led to a shared ministry called partners in Worship which continues to thrive, staying faithful to its mission: "We believe in one God Creator of all people, revealed in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, who calls us to be a sharing, caring community based on Christian ministry." (Canada Lutheran)


Christian educators in Winnipeg heard about Jerusalem's Bat Kol Institute which offers a training program for Christians to study the Bible in its Jewish milieu, using Jewish sources from founding member Sister Maureena Fritz on Nov. 26. The session was convened by Winnipeg's 10-member Bat Kol committee made up of representatives from the archdioceses of Winnipeg and St. Boniface and the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg. Bat Kol was started in Toronto in 1983 and was later relocated to Jerusalem. The institute operates every July with about 20 people per session from around the world. Fritz was in Canada to receive the 2010 Faith and Culture Gold Medal Award from Assumption University in Windsor, Ont. Fritz, a member of the 10-person Bat Kol faculty, said that without the Old Testament, which contains the Jewish Torah, "the new Testament is incomprehensible. When I'm teaching this I want people to walk away changed by the teaching." According to the institute, the Torah as transmitted through Jewish traditions, formed the consciousness of Jesus and the early church and is "an ongoing source of revelation for the nations." Bat Kol works to foster an understanding and appreciation of Jewish prayer and the Jewish biblical cycle. There are Bat Kol groups around the world, including the Philippines, South Africa, India, United states, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Brazil. (Prairie Messenger)


A number of Christian Leaders joined together to launch an Advent initiative to support the construction of a co-operative grocery store in Saskatoon's core neighbourhood. Representing eight denominations and an evangelical ministerial association, they signed a letter of support Nov. 24 for the Good Food Junction grocery store, part of the Station 20 West project. The area has been without a full-service grocery store since 19997. "We will express support through our prayers, practical assistance, and where appropriate through fundraising to equip the store, states the letter, which was read at a signing ceremony at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Hall." Speakers at the event stressed the need for a supply of nutritious, affordable food in an area where few residents have access to cars, and where 44 per cent live below Statistics Canada's low income cut-off, compared to 17.7 per cent for the city as a whole. Bishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon said he rejoices in the opportunity to come together in unity with other Christians to support the needed initiative. Some 250 attended the signing celebration, which included an opportunity for other individuals and church pastors to sign an enlarged copy of the letter of support for Good Food Junction. (Prairie Messenger)


Oikocredit Canada-West in Vancouver recently welcomed Oikocredit investment relations officer Yise van der Schoot to B.C. to meet with people from churches, investor groups and credit unions to discuss how micro-finance works. Oikocredit, a micro-finance institution based in the Netherlands, works in 71 countries around the world with 800 partners. Projects financed by Oikocredit reach more than 17 million people worldwide. Oikocredit investors, said van der Schoot, give loans with affordable, market-related interest rates to people with little or no collateral. The spin-off from the loans helps small business owners educate their children, obtain better housing and improve their lives as well as the lives of those whom they employ and those they are able to patronize because they have an income. The repayment rate from Oikocredit loans is 98 per cent, far higher than the rate of student loan repayment in North America, van der Schoot said. "Micro-finance allows lenders to support a social mission agenda, which many people prefer," she added. More information is available at www.oikocredit.org. (Western Catholic Reporter)


For the 12th year, Edmonton's Christian Churches joined forces to assist the homeless through the No Room in the Inn campaign. Fifty congregations from seven different Christian denominations have raised over $400,000 for housing projects. Each parish chooses whether it wants to contribute to the campaign. Some opt out, others give a portion of their Christmas Eve offerings and others give the full amount. The campaign has raised at least $25,000 per year, with the money forwarded to projects that provide safe and affordable housing. Sister Mary Clare Stack of Catholic Social Services said the people of St. Alphonsus went beyond giving money and tried to build respectful relationships with the residents. The greatest struggle faced by people who move into new housing is loneliness, Stack said. So the parish hosted three talks on the homelessness issue and hosted a neighbourhood barbecue. This year's collection goes to the Canora Place project, which will provide housing units for 30 homeless men and women. Assistance will be provided to enable them to maintain an independent residence. Follow-up support workers will help with budgeting, shopping, menu planning, health care and skills. (Western Catholic Reporter)


The New Year began with prayers for peace at St. Paul's Cathedral Jan. 1 in Saskatoon. Participants were invited to reflect on words about peace from many faith traditions, to write their own prayers for peace in a book of prayer intentions and to light candles at the front of the church. Interspersed with song and silence, prayers were presented by Mark Bigland-Pritchard, Anglican Bishop Emeritus Rodney Andrew, and Sister Kay MacDonald, NDS. Prayers written by participants as they entered the church were read during the service. The event concluded with participants forming a circle around a fabric world map in front of the altar and singing We Shall Overcome. (Prairie Messenger)


For the members of different churches in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, unity is lived throughout the year. They start the year with a service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. During Lent they meet at a different church each Tuesday, at noon. Each week a different denomination conducts a short 20 minute Lenten service followed by a soup and sandwich lunch. The first Friday in March aside for World Day of Prayer and members of all denominations take part. Good Friday is marked by walking from church to church carrying a large cross. At each church a short meditation is read on one of Jesus' last words. This is a meaningful event attended by young and old. Those who cannot walk drive slowly behind the procession. In August the Christians of the area gather in one of the old churches on the museum grounds to give thanks for the ancestors who started this community and to pray for the community now. September, October and November are preparation months for Bethlehem Live, which is held on the last weekend of November. Members from all denominations work together to present the Christmas story using live actors and live animals. This past November, 700 people attended over two nights. For some children this is their only chance to hear the story of Jesus' birth. During the month of December they reach out to the hurting in the community with a Blue Christmas service. The different churches participate in an annual carol festival with each church taking its turn as host. A number of ecumenical Bible studies are held in homes. During the summer the Baptist and Lutheran churches have a vacation Bible school to which children from all denominations are invited. Christians in Moosomin are thankful to live in a community in which they can pray and enjoy fellowship with each other. (Prairie Messenger)


An ecumenical covenant, signed by Qu'Appelle Anglican Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson and Regina Catholic Archbishop Daniel Bohan, commits the Roman Catholic and Anglican dioceses to an unprecedented level of joint services and co-operation. The covenant was signed by the two bishops during an ecumenical prayer service on January 23. It commits the two in five activities: holding a joint prayer service with bishops present, ideally during Easter season and alternating between the two cathedrals, remembering each other in the Sunday service intercessions; working together on justice issues in the developing world; holding joint meetings with First Nations elders to promote reconciliation and healing; and maintaining communications between the two churches when an issue arises in one that has implications or challenges for the other. It also encourages other activities, including common services during Lent and Advent, common study sessions, common programs of youth leadership, regular meetings of those with similar ministries, social occasions to promote fellowship and speaking out together on areas of common concern. The covenant also encourages neighbouring Anglican and Roman Catholic parishes to explore similar covenants and to invite other Christian churches to share in the proposed activities and initiatives, where possible. The original signed copies of the covenant will reside in the chancery offices and copies will be sent to all Anglican and Roman Catholic parishes. (Prairie Messenger)


Anglicans, Lutherans and Roman Catholics have similar views of marriage, but significant differences surfaced during discussions at the annual St. Michael's Retreat Ministries Bishops' Day, held Jan. 27. Lutherans do not believe it is a sacrament, Anglicans sometimes refer to it as a sacrament but it is not recognized as such and Roman Catholics consider marriage one of the seven sacraments. The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to same-sex marriage, while Anglicans and Lutherans are "struggling" with the question. Qu'Appelle Anglican Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Evangelical Lutheran Bishop for Saskatchewan Cindy Halmarson, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Regina Daniel Bohan, along with Friar Dennis Vavrek, OFM, used theological and secular writings as sources for their views. Halmarson and Kerr-Wilson said that they agreed with the recent court decision that ruled marriage commissioners work for the government and therefore must provide services to everyone without discrimination. The same-sex marriage issue has created debate among Lutheran and Anglican clergy that perhaps they should get out of being agents of government in marriage. The court decision forces a marriage commissioner to perform a service which goes against his conscience or lose his job, said Bohan. "I am very troubled by this," he added. (Prairie Messenger)


An annual ecumenical Scripturefest, held Jan. 22 at Queen's House Retreat and Renewal Centre in Saskatoon, focused on women in Scripture. During his talks, Dr. Christian Eberhart, professor of New Testament Studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, introduced many women in the Old and New Testaments and outlined the importance of their often understated and overlooked roles. Dr. Vern Ratzlaff, a Mennonite minister and theologian, noted that in the 35 parishes of the Mennonite Church of Saskatchewan, about 25 per cent are served by women, some in a husband and wife team ministry. "Jesus was a feminist," said Urseline sister Teresita Kambeitz. Scriptural evidence includes his touching of the body of a girl to heal her, which would have made him unclean in those times. Kambeitz said that we still have a long way to go in the struggle for women to be recognized for their contributions. (Prairie Messenger)


Ontario

A February Lecture series organized by the Scarboro Missions examined the state of Jewish-Christian relations and opened up some avenues for Christians and Jews to think and act together. On Feb. 9 Debra Landsburg and Ursuline Sister Noreen Allossery-Walsh talked about "Religious Experience as Motivation for Ecological Responsibility: Jewish and Christian Perspectives". On Feb. 17 St. Peter's Seminary Scripture scholar Fr. Murray Watson and Sister of Our Lady of Sion Lucy Thorson looked at the history of Jewish-Catholic dialogue since the Second Vatican Council. Two more Sion Sisters, Margaret McGrath and Mary Babic shifted the focus to the future on Feb 23 with "From the Ghetto of Rome to the Wider World: Calls and Challenges in Catholic-Jewish Relations." (The Catholic Register)


A faith formation meeting in preparation for the 2011 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was held in Toronto on January 16 with guest speaker Margaret O'Gara, Professor at the University of St. Michael's College. (The Catholic Register)


His All Holiness Barthlomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, annually marks the fest of Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, with a fraternal message to Pope Benedict XVI. In a spirit of reciprocity, Pope Benedict XVI returns the fraternal gesture by honouring the Orthodox celebration of St. Andrew the Apostle on Nov. 30, the patronal feast for all Orthodox. In an effort to model this fraternal behaviour locally, Metropolitan Archbishop Sortirios of Greek Orthodox Church and Toronto Roman Catholic Archbishop Thomas Collins have agreed to exchange similar fraternal visits. The first such exchange occurred on the recent feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. All the guests shared lunch, hosted by Archbishop Sotirios, and the bishops received a tour of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. A natural consequence of this ecumenical hospitality would be for local Orthodox and Roman Catholic parishes to partner in similar ecumenical gestures. Phone the closest Orthodox parish and invite them for tea this coming June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, suggests Fr. Damian MacPherson, director for Ecumenical and Interfaith affairs for the archdiocese of Toronto. It can't hurt. (The Catholic Register)


In a 400-word letter to priests, deacons, religious and laity, Ontario's dozen directors of ecumenical and interfaith affairs reminded parish leadership that it remains an essential priority to stay focused on the common pursuit of the unity of all Christians. The letter, endorsed by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, encourages pastors with their parishes to join in Week of Prayer of Christian Unity activities and liturgies, and asks the laity to pray for unity. The letter to parishes commemorates the 15th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's encyclical Ut Unum Sint ("May they all be one") and also contains references to the Vatican II declaration Unitatis redintegratio ("Restoration of unity") For Saint Paul University theologian and ecumenist Catherine Clifford, there can be no truly Catholic identity without commitment to ecumenism, for "to believe in Christ means to desire unity" (Ut unum sint). Division contradicts the Gospel and weakens our ability to proclaim the Gospel to the world. (The Catholic Register)


Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders from Toronto are organizing a trip to Israel and Palestine to explore their common heritage and understand the roots of conflict in the region Sept. 4 to 10, 2011. They've labelled their journey "In the Path of Abraham". The Paths of Abraham group will consist of up to 100 participants, evenly distributed among Christians, Jews and Muslims. "We're fully convinced of the significance and importance of this kind of initiative," said Catholic organizer Fr. Damian MacPherson, head of the archdiocese of Toronto's Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs. As far as any of the organizers can discover, this will be the first organized interfaith journey to the Holy Land from Canada, MacPherson said. For questions about the program and prices, call MacPherson at (416) 934-3400 ext. 344. (The Catholic Register)


Quebec

Brother Émile of Taizé carried the pilgrimage of trust to Canada in March and April's prayers and chants in the Taizé style accompanied by informal meeting with participants at Holy Rosary Church in Toronto on March 11, at Holy Rosary Church in Ottawa on March 17, at Kings University College in London Ontario on April 2nd. (Taizé)


Among the special features in the preparation period for eight candidates who were confirmed November 21 at the Anglican parish of St. Michael and all Angels in Pierrefonds, were visits to a local synagogue and a mosque. This, Rev. Michelle Eason explained, was so that the young people could understand something of the faith of the other people around them. At the beginning of the confirmation preparation each student was asked to choose a parishioner they look up to and whom they could ask questions about how they came to faith and how it is that they have continued in that faith. "In hearing others speak about their faith, they too must learn to express themselves as Christians to help others understand something of the Christian faith," said Rev. Eason. (Montreal Anglican)


In the ongoing Living Together project in St. Laurent eight Jewish and eight Muslim students focus on what they have in common. The students, in Grades 10 and 11 are mainly from schools in St-Laurent: Herzliah, Ècole Jeunes Musulmans canadiens, LaurenHill Academy. Ècole secondaire St-Laurent and Bialik High School in Cote St. Luc. They meet every Tuesday after school at the St-Laurent recreation centre. "This was a way to bring the communities together in a positive way and to find commonality," said Amanda Tètrault, coordinator of the Living Together project, a collaboration between McGill University's Montreal Consortium for Human Rights Advocacy and Training, the St-Laurent borough and the YMCA St-Laurent. The project is guided by an advisory board of leaders from both the Jewish and Arab communities and will continue until May. While it is a pilot project now, Tètrault hopes it will become an annual occurrence. Mahmoud Abdel-Gawad, a Grade 10 student at Ècole Jeunes Musulmans Canadiens, said he had never had any interaction with Jews before. "I heard many stereotypes, but I never had any occasion to speak to anyone Jewish," he said. "Now I realize the stereotypes were false and we have a lot in common." Brandon Smart, a Grade 11 student at Bialik, said it has been fun "meeting kids I would never otherwise meet" and discovering they all liked doing the same things. Fatima Boulmalf said the two groups tend to stay away from each other because they think they're different. "In fact, we are so similar," she said "We are all scared of the unknown and that's why this has been beneficial. I won't be scared to have Jewish friends anymore." To read an account of the students' experience, go to www.vivreensemble-livingtogether.blogspot.com. (Montreal Gazette)


In the "My Neighbour's Faith" series, The Canadian Centre for Ecumenism organized a visit to the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre. This Centre educates people of all ages and backgrounds about the Holocaust and raises awareness of the universal dangers of anti-Semitism, racism, hate and indifference. A guided tour by a Holocaust survivor underlined our collective responsibility to have respect for diversity and to value the sanctity of each human life. A visit to the Gaden Chang Chub Choling Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Montreal was planned for March 18. Founded in 1980 this temple follows the compassionate philosophy of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and makes it possible to actualize the vision of the benevolent teacher, Ven. Geshe Khenrab Rinpoche. A visit to the Sikh gurdwara Nanak Darbar in LaSalle was planned for April 13. (Canadian Centre for Ecumenism)


Ernie Regehr, co-founder of Project Ploughshares, an ecumenical peace agency of the Canadian Council of Churches was presented with the 26th Pearson Peace Medal by Governor General Johnston at a ceremony at Rideau hall Jan. 21. The medal is named after former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, who was awarded the 19557 Nobel Peace Prize. It is presented by the United Nations Association of Canada (UNA-Canada). "Today, we recognize a lifetime in the service of peace, disarmament and dialogue," said the governor general in presenting the medal. "Dr. Regehr, you are a worthy heir to Lester Pearson, and to the remarkable Canadians who have preceded you in receiving this medal." (The Catholic Register)


After several Jewish institutions, including four synagogues, were vandalized in the Montreal area last January, a rabbi, an imam and a priest joined together to create a blog to combat anti-semitism and religious extremism. For the Montreal priest Fr. John Walsh, such a blog, which should come on line in April, should provide a space for young people to exchange comments and ideas "about religious disputes". The project is jointly managed by Fr. John Walsh, Imam Zijad Delic of British Columbia and Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Toronto Simon Wiesenthal Centre. (Translated from Radio-Ville Marie)

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