The Tragic Irony

(AP Photo, Gregorio Borgia/Photo, The Canadian Press)

 

SEVERAL Catholic churches were burned to the ground and dozens more vandalized in Canada last year as allegations surfaced that “mass graves” were discovered at former residential schools there. These were institutions, established by the Canadian government and run in part with the assistance of the Church, to “assimilate” indigenous peoples into Western society. The allegations of mass graves, as it turns out, have never been proven and further evidence suggests that they are patently false.[1]cf. nationalpost.com; What is not untrue is that many individuals were separated from their families, forced to abandon their native tongue, and in some cases, abused by those running the schools. And thus, Francis has flown to Canada this week to issue an apology to the indigenous people who were wronged by members of the Church.Continue reading

Footnotes

Footnotes
1 cf. nationalpost.com;

The Hour of Civil Disobedience

 

Hear, O kings, and understand;
learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude
and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom,
you judged not rightly,

and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy… 
(Today’s First Reading)

 

IN several countries around the world, Remembrance Day or Veterans’ Day, on or near November 11th, marks a somber day of reflection and gratitude for the sacrifice of millions of soldiers who gave their lives fighting for freedom. But this year, the ceremonies will ring hollow for those who have watched their freedoms evaporate in front of them.Continue reading