|
Note: Registration or subscription to the host news sites may be required to read some of the stories linked here.
Stories about the Anglican schisms:
Gay U.S. bishop laments Anglican rift
Shunned by a once-a-decade summit of top Anglican clergy, the world's only openly gay bishop called for a cessation of hostilities last night during his first-ever sermon to British worshippers, saying the question of homosexuality has been "elevated way above its place" in a world shot through with hunger and suffering. Excluded New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson said, "I'm just not willing to let the bishops meet and pretend that we don't exist," before preaching here at St. Mary's Church, Putney. "They've taken vows to serve all the people in dioceses, not just certain ones."
Toronto Star, July 14
Catholicism beckons Anglican clergymen
Some priests defect over ordination of female bishops
National Post, July 14
Protecting extremist moderation
In his compelling account of four years of captivity in Lebanon, the Anglican cleric Terry Waite writes of the time he was given a radio by his captors, tuned in to the BBC and immediately heard a fellow Anglican priest giving a broadcast sermon. At last, he thought, some inspiring and wise words, a life line to sanity. "Let us consider," opined the voice, "the case of Winnie the Pooh." Absurd and banal but, still, oddly comforting. And quintessentially Anglican. Because the Church of England has cultivated an image of gentleness, compromise and tolerance in a world that increasingly exhibits none of these qualities. Indeed, there are within the Anglican Communion scores of some of the finest people one could ever meet. But the latest schism within the denomination has exposed the core nastiness of a bitingly exclusive institution.
Michael Coren, National Post, July 16
Earlier: Worldwide Anglican split will impact Canada
Stories about the residential schools:
Catholics work to heal relationship with natives
The Catholic church is taking steps toward healing its relationship with the native community in Canada, something Phil Fontaine says is the first step toward a full apology for treatment of children in residential schools.
Globe and Mail, July 16
First Nations leader says Pope might eventually apologize to Cdn natives
The head of the Assembly of First Nations says there is a possibility the Pope could eventually apologize for the poor treatment of aboriginals in residential schools in Canada. The schools, which were run by religious orders, were federally funded and aimed at assimilating natives. AFN chief Phil Fontaine admits such an apology would not be easy for Pope Benedict XVI to make.
Canadian Press, July 16
Canadian premiers call on Harper to build on residential school apology
Canada's provincial and territorial leaders are calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to deal with native issues. Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he and his counterparts hope to build on the momentum from Ottawa's residential school apology and address concerns over the future of aboriginal children.
Canadian Press, July 16
Earlier: Stories about Canada Day and the Native apology
Stories about refugees and refugee issues:
Advocates to appeal anti-refugee court ruling
Refugee advocates are taking the federal government to the Supreme Court over a deal they say is making the lives of already desperate refugees perilous. . . . The council, Amnesty International and the Canadian Council of Churches have been fighting the agreement since it was a year old. And they're going to keep fighting.
Toronto Star, July 12
Paralyzed Sikh man's supporters mark anniversary of his seeking temple sanctuary
As paralyzed refugee claimant Laibar Singh marked one year in sanctuary Sunday, his supporters were concerned about visits by Canada Border Services agents to the Sikh temple where he has sought protection. Spokeswoman Harsha Walia said the unannounced visits are making the tradition of religious sanctuary meaningless.
Canadian Press, July 13
Refugee claimant marks one year of sanctuary
Laibar Singh remains in limbo at Abbotsford temple
Vancouver Sun, July 14
Earlier: Stories about Sikhs and Sikhism
Continue article >>
|
Stories about Islam and the West:
Youth aspired to 'evil': Crown
Yesterday in court, the youth listened intently while Mr. Neander told Justice John Sproat that it would be "an insult to reason" to think that the accused did not know about the alleged leader's motives to do harm, and that a camp he attended was a training ground for violent acts, not simply a religious gathering. For one thing, the alleged leader openly broadcast his extremist beliefs, including handing out CDs at local mosques with graphic images of Muslims being attacked, Mr. Neander said.
National Post, July 11
Judge allows e-mails about economic jihad
An e-mail message in which Momin Khawaja wrote of the need to wage violent jihad against western economies -- "constant economic J" -- will be part of the evidence at his terrorism trial. Justice Douglas Rutherford rejected arguments from counsel for the former Ottawa software designer that messages he sent to his one-time fiance were irrelevant and prejudicial to the case.
Canadian Press, July 14
Earlier: Stories about Islam and the West
Other stories from the past week:
In our digital world, spying and paranoia return big time
In our digital world, spying is back, big time. So is paranoia. A hint of the surveillance powers now available to espionage agents hits home for me each time my office computer malfunctions and I phone The Vancouver Sun techies for help. Within seconds, the techies, working from the floor above me, remotely seize control of my computer screen -- magically moving my cursor and manipulating my files. It's like watching someone suddenly take over your life. Of course, the technical support staff are on my side (I hope.) But their display of deus ex machina powers provides a taste of the vast network of electronic surveillance options now available.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, July 10
Universities struggle to keep the faith
As Canada's religious diversity grows larger, universities grapple with students' needs
Toronto Star, July 11
Miracle needed to save Superstar
It would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for an amateur troupe to enter into the heavenly kingdom that is a stellar production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Co-creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice seemed to take the perverse pleasure of giggling schoolboys in crafting a show so strange and near atonal that only the most seasoned of singers could hit its many weird notes; I shudder to think of the thousands of school and church-basement productions that have fallen well wide of the mark since this self-consciously hip hippie rock-opera arrived in 1971.
Peter Birnie, Vancouver Sun, July 11
Earlier: Pastor attacks Superstar
A hard pill to swallow
The papal encyclical forbidding oral contraception was widely rejected
National Post, July 12
Pursuit of perfection can be an obsession
Religions have a different approach to perfection
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, July 12
VisionTV network to show programs on religious revival in China
With the Beijing Olympics approaching quickly, Canada's VisionTV cable network is presenting a series of programs next week on the subject of "God in China." It starts Tuesday with "China's Leap of Faith - Part One: The Gods Come Home," and "God in China: The Struggle for Religious Freedom," which detail the religious revival in the nation and the government 's continued efforts to control faith.
Canadian Press, July 16
A better way to ask the big questions
SYDNEY, Australia -Pope Benedict XVI arrived here on Sunday for the World Youth Day (WYD), which runs through this weekend. The WYD, as Torontonians would remember from our hosting it in 2002, is by far the largest gathering of young adults in the world. When they held it in Manila in 1995, the final papal Mass drew upwards of four million people -- perhaps the largest assembly in human history.
Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Post, July 17
July 17/2008
|
