European Politics

There’s a fascinating trend that occurs in the first month of the year. Gyms typically see a 12-per-cent increase in new memberships at the beginning of January. By the close of the month, four per cent of these new members will have quit the gym, 14 per cent leave by the end of February, and 50 per cent are gone by June, according to the Global Health & Fitness Association.

Although St. Francis de Sales is counted among the great saints, the first I heard of him was in his role as patron saint of writers, journalists and the Catholic press. I remained with that meagre knowledge for years until I encountered then-Bishop Thomas Collins who was and is a great fan of St. Francis.

Calls to Action 59 and 60 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada implore Church leaders to collaborate with Indigenous spiritual leaders on curriculum to open the eyes of congregations, theology students and seminarians about the Church role in the legacy of residential schools and the necessity of a Church apology.

Spending $19 billion now and $70 billion over the next 40 years to buy 88 F-35 fighter jets is not wise, moral or even democratic in the eyes of peace activist and Sister of Service Mary-Ellen Francoeur.

As Theodore McCarrick faces criminal charges for alleged sexual abuse of a 16-year-old boy, the disgraced former cardinal's legal defense team is now claiming he is in steep mental and physical decline and therefore not able to stand trial.

Are science and religion fundamentally opposed to each other? That common notion has “worked a lot of mischief,” said Bishop Robert Barron, who launched a new conference Jan. 13-14 to show how the Catholic Church champions “the unity of faith and reason.”

Christians must develop a pastoral heart to care for those who have not heard the Gospel or who have left the fold, Pope Francis said.

Sister André, a Daughter of Charity and the world's oldest known person, died at age 118, a spokesman of the nursing home where she died told AFP agency on Tuesday.

Post-secondary students from five organizations came together Jan. 14 to give new life to pro-life activity on Montreal university campuses.

Though publisher Pearson Canada Ltd. has stopped printing the textbook and will cease hosting its material online in March, the Fully Alive family life program for Grades 1 through 8 will continue to be taught in Ontario Catholic schools.