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Apology must be a defining moment: United Church
The United Church of Canada has sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, urging him to ensure that the June 11 apology to residential school survivors and their families is an occasion that will be experienced as a defining moment in the healing of our nation. The church's letter also echoes the concerns raised by the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, in an open letter on April 22. In that letter Chief Fontaine lamented the absence of direct consultation with Aboriginal leaders and survivors about the content of the national apology. The United Church says it agrees that consultation with those who have been directly affected by the legacy of residential schools is essential.
Fire the commissioner: CFAC
The Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC) is calling for the termination of Ontario's chief human rights commissioner Barbara Hall. "The troublesome fact is that Barbara Hall made [such] comments even though this same case is still before the federal commission and going before the BC commission today," said CFAC executive director Brian Rushfeldt, referring to her comment about a recent Macleans magazine article on Islam. "Normally the proper thing to do in such a circumstance is make 'no comment' while a case is still proceeding. It did not investigate but the commissioner took liberty to publicly denounce Macleans."
Open conversation for an invitation
Lutheran Church of Canada (LCC) congregations are gearing up for their own version of the denominations 'Open House' program used last year. LCC and the district mission executives are also working to provide resources to help members of LCC congregations speak of their faith naturally helping people respond to a personal connection when it comes to matters of faith.
New Western Canada Director of Development
Equipping Christians for the Public Square has announced the appointment of Doug Schouten as the Centre's new Western Canada Regional Director. Schouten will be responsible for coordinating all ECP Centre events in the West, including conferences, fundraisers and seminars. He will also network with existing Christian organizations and political think tanks to broaden the influence and cooperative effort of conservatism in Canada and to expand the reach of the Centre.
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Reflection on the eucharist
Laval University in Quebec City will host an 'International Symposium of Theology on the Eucharist' June 11 - 13. The 49th International Eucharistic Congress will gather many cardinals, archbishops, bishops and theologians from 30 countries, including: Cardinal Angelo Scola, Patriarch of Venice; Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity; Jared Wicks, of John Carroll University in Ohio; Thomas Dabre, Bishop of Vasai, India; Virgil Elizondo, founder of the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas; Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris; Michael Miller, Coadjutor Archbishop of Vancouver, BC; Helene Caza, former dean of the Dominican Faculty of Theology in Ottawa. These and other specialists will present new conferences or lead workshops, all intended to renew understanding and the manner of speaking about the Eucharist in today's world.
Tarr Award goes to Brummel
 The 12th annual Leslie K. Tarr award for outstanding career achievement, sponsored by Tyndale University College and Seminary, will be presented to Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. Crook is the author of nine young adult novels and three children's picture books. All her titles portray Canadian history and are widely used in public school classrooms and libraries. The presentation will take place June 11 at an awards gala in Mississauga, Ontario.
Catholic vision of marriage
The Catholic Organization for Life and Family has launched a new brochure entitled Marriage in the Catholic Church: Frequently Asked Questions. This long-awaited document provides an overview of the Catholic vision of marriage, and is intended for all those who wish to discover or deepen their understanding of the truth about marriage both as a natural institution desired by the Creator, and as a sacrament instituted by Christ.
Family taxation briefing a success, says Focus
Jack Mintz, a Canadian tax expert, presented a paper on 'Taxing Families: Does the system need an overhaul?' to an audience of 50 Members of Parliament and Parliament Hill staffers on May 26. Sponsored by Focus on the Family's Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, Mintz highlighted how and why the current approach to taxing families is "ambiguous" and inequitable. "Canada has an ambiguous approach to family taxation and no clear application of principle has evolved over time," writes Mintz. "Still today, a single-earner family pays much more tax than two-earner families. This is an issue that should be corrected, and this can best be achieved by providing opportunities for families to split income more readily."
June 5/2008
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