Category: Highlight

Highlight

Pope to Meet Papua New Guinea Catholics

Pope Francis’s visit to Papua New Guinea will take him to a remote part of the South Pacific island nation where Christianity is a recent addition to traditional spiritual beliefs developed over millennia. He will visit the diocese of Vanimo on the main island of New Guinea, one of the most remote and disadvantaged in...

“Awake”

Oil on canvas painted in 2008 by Marnie Butler.

Marnie Was Truly a Person of Action

The Editor: Marnie Butler. A friend, a woman who wore coats of many colours, loyal and loving to her friends and those in need. A woman of conviction with high ideals and deep sense of right and wrong. She did not waver on her faith beliefs. Yes, I knew Marnie Butler. She was a very...

Odd Man Out: Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet Leaves the Vatican

When Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet turned 80 on June 8, the prelate who was touted as a potential future pope in both the conclaves of 2005 and 2013, will no longer be able to participate in the next papal election. Ouellet, who was archbishop of Quebec from 2003-2010 and then prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery...

“Consider” by Susan McCaslin, 2023.

This is another brilliant book of poetry by Canada’s foremost Christian poet; someone who blends faith with literature seamlessly. McCaslin is someone who combines Christianity, faith and religion as a suitable subject matter for the poetry she appears to breathe out religiously, to use an expression. And it’s fun. I find it awe striking at...

Remi De Roo on Colonialism — Pilgrim and Prophet Excerpts

Indigenous Peoples Note: The texts quoted below were written at a time when “Native” and “Aboriginal” were the terms used for Indigenous peoples. We have preserved the original terms but recognize that they are no longer the preferred ones. As I reflect on this Western colonial ideology of domination over native cultures, my Christian faith...

Key Note Speaker Buys into Inexact Mythology of De Roo

While the event was an overall success with 120 people attending, the keynote address was originally supposed to be made by Vatican official Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, a friend and associate of Bishop De Roo. He had to bow out, and was replaced by Michael Higgins, an amusing speaker but quite a comedown. His focus...

Symbolism: Communication or Communion

He who speaks of symbols enters an area where reflection, synthesis, and contemplation are more important than investigation, analysis, and science. One cannot apprehend a symbol unless one is able to awaken, in one's own being, the spiritual resonances which respond to the symbol not only as sign but as “sacrament” and “presence.” Needless to...

Arts Administrator Edited ICN for Twelve Years

Maureen Rae (Marnie) Butler (née Berger) died October 10, 2023, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria B.C. Born May 19, 1950 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Victoria, B.C. Marnie was predeceased by her parents Willard (Bill) Albert Clarence Berger and Florence (Lil) Lillian (née Perry). Mother of Sarah (Ben Bartram) and life partner of Patrick Jamieson. Marnie was...

Synod and Environment Seen as Key to Francis Era

Five years ago, Kate McElwee, the young American woman who is the executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, led a small protest at the Vatican to call attention to the plight of the hard-working – yet utterly powerless – women in the paternalistic Catholic Church. “I was held by the police,” she said. “We...