Religion
Written on 30 Aug, 2005 at 12:33 in
Human Rights Commissions, Religion | Author:
John Jalsevac
John Jalsevac
Special to The Interim
As Presbyterian minister Tristan Emmanuel handed Chris Kempling a check for $18,000, with a promise for $32,000 more to come before the year is through, he encouraged the beleaguered B.C. school teacher, saying, “Chris, I want you to realize that God has not forsaken you. God does not ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Aug, 2005 at 12:28 in
Religion, Society & Culture | Author:
Peter Stock
Peter Stock
The Interim
Is gambling an age-old, harmless pastime, or is it a pernicious vice to be publicly condemned by the Christian church?
Gambling is never specifically condemned anywhere in the Scriptures. Yet, some of the attitudes of the heart that may accompany gambling certainly are, such as greed or laziness in trying to gain something without honest labour.
Christian denominations have been all over the map in ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Aug, 2005 at 10:41 in
Marriage and Family, Religion | Author:
Dina Kok
Dina Kok
The Interim
In early July, Bill C-38, the government bill leggally permitting same-sex partners to “marry” in civil ceremonies, was debated in the Canadian Senate. For one senator, the debate became a theological question: what would Jesus do?
“As a Christian, I often ask myself: ‘What would Jesus do?’” Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, a New Brunswick Liberal, commented. “In this case, in this time, I believe he would say, ‘Yes.’”
Many religious leaders ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Jul, 2005 at 8:52 in
Human Rights Commissions, Marriage and Family, Religion | Author:
Ian Hunter
Commentary by Ian Hunter
The Interim
My brief is to give the Roman Catholic bishop of Calgary, Fred Henry, some unsolicited legal advice concerning his upcoming dealings with the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Before the advice, here is what has happened to date.
In January 2005 Bishop Henry issued a pastoral letter on the oxymoron that has come to be known as same-sex “marriage.” The bishop’s letter outlined Catholic teaching on marriage, a ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Jun, 2005 at 8:41 in
Religion | Author:
Luc Gagnon
La Belle Province
On April 19, 2005, the College of Cardinals could not have made a better choice for the universal Catholic church than electing Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to succeed John Paul the Great. It was, in fact, the choice of the Holy Ghost, because Cardinal Ratzinger was seen as much too conservative, divisive and old just a few months ago.
At the moment of the election, all the conditions were present to elect ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Jun, 2005 at 8:29 in
Marriage and Family, Religion | Author:
Sue Careless
Sue Careless
The Interim
During a meeting in Mississauga, Ont., the Primate’s Theological Commission has found same-sex blessings, or SSBs, to be a matter of doctrine. At past Anglican synods, those favouring SSBs argued that the controversial rite involved only pastoral care, not doctrine.
If the commission’s St. Michael Report is accepted by General Synod in 2007, the earliest that SSBs could pass definitively at the national governing body would be 2010 – ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Jun, 2005 at 8:27 in
Religion | Author:
Michael Taube
Commentary by Michael Taube
The Interim
When Pope John Paul II died on April 2, many Christians and non-Christians mourned the loss of a great man. They respected what John Paul had done to defeat communism, build bridges with different faiths and work towards the betterment of society. He had been a superb leader of the Catholic church and a true friend to Christians, Jews and moderate Muslims.
So, when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Jun, 2005 at 8:25 in
Pro-Life, Pro-life Groups, Religion | Author:
Tony Gosgnach
Tony Gosgnach
The Interim
The foundation of a new society of Roman Catholic priests dedicated exclusively to the pro-life cause promises to bring the struggle to preserve human life to a whole new level. Father Frank Pavone, national director of the Priests for Life organization, recently announced the formation of the society in Amarillo, Tx., in which diocese it will be based under the stewardship of the local bishop, John W. Yanta.
“It ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Jun, 2005 at 8:11 in
Marriage and Family, Religion | Author:
LifeSiteNews.com
Special to The Interim
Canadian lawyers with expertise in human rights and constitutional law are urging members of Parliament to vote against the Liberal government’s anti-constitutional Bill C-38. In a letter sent to all MPs and senators April 29, and printed in part in the National Post, the lawyers cited a legal opinion provided by constitutional law experts at the law firm of Lang Michener LLP. It warned about the risk ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 May, 2005 at 7:56 in
Columnist, Frank Kennedy, Profiles, Religion | Author:
Frank Kennedy
What a warrior. What a Pope. twenty-six years ago, when John Paul II became Pope, what dilemmas he faced. An insurmountable mountain, some would say. “Have courage.” That’s what he said to the world and that’s what he personally displayed fighting fires all over the world.
Communists had taken over eastern Europe and big red Russia was not making idle threats to keep its empire. They ... (Continue reading)
Written on 29 May, 2005 at 13:24 in
Pro-Life, Religion | Author:
Rory Leishman
Rory Leishman
The Interim
In a banner story on the death of Pope John Paul II, Christianity Today noted that while some of the most strident criticism of the Pope’s legacy was coming from liberal Catholics, most evangelical Protestants were “unreserved” in their praise of this Catholic leader “on political, social and even theological matters.” ... (Continue reading)
Written on 29 May, 2005 at 13:23 in
Pro-Life, Profiles, Religion | Author:
Paul Tuns
Paul Tuns
The Interim
When George Weigel was writing the definitive (thus far) biography of Pope John Paul II, Witness to Hope, he posted a note on his computer that said simply: “It’s the theology, stupid.” It was easy to ... (Continue reading)
Written on 29 Apr, 2005 at 13:29 in
Marriage and Family, Profiles, Religion | Author:
John-Henry Westen
John-Henry Westen
Special to The Interim
Newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, unlike his predecessor John Paul II prior to his election, comes to lead the Catholic church after spending the last 24 years in the public eye as the head of the most important office ... (Continue reading)
Written on 29 Apr, 2005 at 13:17 in
Columnist, Religion | Author:
Luc Gagnon
Marc Cardinal Ouellet has launched a real renewal in the Catholic church of Quebec since his inauguration as archbishop of Quebec City and primate of the church in Canada. Right from the beginning, at his inaugural sermon in January 2003, he called Quebecers to conversion, to come back to the faith of their fathers or, he warned, they will die as ... (Continue reading)
Written on 29 Apr, 2005 at 13:11 in
Religion | Author:
Sue Careless
Sue Careless
The Interim
The two national churches that spoke most of being inclusive have been excluded for three years from their own communion.
Both the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. have been effectively suspended from their international body, the Anglican Communion, until 2008, ... (Continue reading)
