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Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Week of April 26, 1999

Canadian and Foreign News Highlights

Australians admit 'crisis of faith':

Australia's bishops have endorsed a document signed by representatives of Australian bishops and Vatican officials that spoke of a "crisis of faith" in the Catholic Church. At their April 5-15 meeting in Sydney, the bishops also released a pastoral letter accepting Pope John Paul's "personal" directive that use of general absolution in Australia be kept strictly "within the conditions laid down by Church law."

Quebec plan disturbs trustees:

Louise Ervin, first vice-president for the Canadian Catholic School Trustees' Association, says she finds recommendations which would take religion out of the Quebec school system "very disturbing." The Quebec recommendation "should be of great concern to every province in the country that has guaranteed rights for Catholic schools," she says. A Quebec task force last month called for the abolition of denominational schools in the province. Religious symbols would still be allowed in classrooms, but religious instruction would be allowed after school hours, according to the task force's recommendations.

Gervais cool to naming new auxiliary bishops:

The Archdiocese of Ottawa lost both of its auxiliary bishops this year through promotions but isn't anxious to replace them. "This archdiocese has been spoiled by an excessive episcopal presence," Archbishop Marcel Gervais told priests and diocesan workers recently. While lauding the work of the former auxiliary bishops, Fred Colli and Paul Marchand, the archbishop said many Catholics in Ottawa expect a bishop to be on hand for almost every event.

British cardinal at peace despite inoperable cancer:

Cardinal George Basil Hume of Westminster said he is "calm and at peace" after discovering that he is suffering from inoperable cancer. In a letter to his fellow bishops in England and Wales and to priests in the Archdiocese of Westminster, Hume wrote: "I have received two wonderful graces. First, I have been given time to prepare for a new future. Secondly, I find myself - uncharacteristically - calm and at peace."

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