TORONTO — Despite pressure from activists and media to establish gay-straight alliances in their schools, several Ontario Catholic school boards remain adamant that they will support gay students in ways that reflect Catholic values. more . . .

It's just not good enough to say the sole responsibility for the Jan. 9 Arizona massacre rests on one individual. But neither is it fair to use the massacre as an excuse for a witch hunt against every outspoken conservative. more . . .

BISHOP FRED HENRY

Regrettably both the Calgary Herald editorial and the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal got it wrong regarding marriage commissioners. (See WCR, Jan. 24, "Sask. marriage commissioners must perform same-sex weddings.") more . . .

RALPH HIMSL

Late last fall, I resolved to read the entire Bible, all 2,000 pages of the New and Old testaments. A seemingly daunting task even when taken in relatively small daily portions. Nevertheless, with last night's reading, I completed 300 pages, laying the book aside, a marker somewhere in the Book of Judges. more . . .

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

They hadn't understood about the loaves! The Gospels use those words to describe the crowd that Jesus had miraculously fed with five barley loaves and two fish. They ate, but they didn't understand. What didn't they understand? more . . .

GORDON SELF

This month's column will coincide with the arrival of credit card statements in the mail. After the spending spree of Christmas the reality of what we now owe follows. For some, January bills can serve as a wake up call as to their total debt load, which may require immediate corrective action. more . . .

Top Muslim academics in Egypt have announced they are suspending all dialogue with the Vatican to protest Pope Benedict's remarks about anti-Christian violence in Egypt.

Pope Benedict asked young people not to hide their energy and enthusiasm, but to be realistic about the risks they take and, especially, to be extra careful when driving.

Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan said government leaders need to take "skilful action" to guarantee freedom of conscience of citizens.

Looking ahead to his retirement in February, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony wrote that he intends to spend the coming months and years "walking in solidarity with the 11 million immigrants who have come to the United States to improve their own lives and the life of our country."