Cardinal Gérald C Lacroix is resuming his duties as Quebec’s archbishop, six months after stepping aside when he was accused of sexual misconduct for which a Vatican-mandated investigation found no evidence to support. Lacroix announced he would step back into his role as archbishop of Quebec and primate of Canada in a July 22 news Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Quebec’
Quebec’s Catholic churches are rapidly disappearing
Thursday, February 17th, 2022
About a quarter of Quebec’s Catholic churches have been closed, abandoned or converted for other use since 2000 – a trend for the fate of all churches. Architectural historian Luc Noppen says all Quebec’s Catholic parishes “are at the end of their tether”. “Three or four times a day, we learn of the closure of Read more
Put catechesis on hold, rethink Christian formation
Thursday, September 24th, 2020
It is important for the Church to rethink catechesis and Christian formation, says Quebec Cardinal Gerald Lacroix. He has asked parishes in the Archdiocese of Quebec to “pause” their catechetical programs and use the time to think of the future. Lacroix says the last few months have given the Quebec church an “unhoped-for opportunity” to Read more
Quebec considers expanding eligibility for euthanasia
Monday, December 9th, 2019
Quebec’s health minister, Danielle McCann, says consultation on extending the criteria for euthanasia is about to open. The new criteria will enable people to be euthanised if they can’t give informed consent or who will die of an illness in the more distant future. These include people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative conditions. Read more
New law bans religious symbols
Thursday, June 20th, 2019
Quebec’s bishops fear a new law banning religious symbols in the public sector will ‘nourish fear and intolerance’ rather than contribute to social peace. The new law (formerly known as Bill 21) prohibits some government employees, including public school teachers, state lawyers, judges and police officers from wearing religious symbols or clothing. However, the religious Read more
Secularism bill aims to ban all religious symbols
Monday, April 1st, 2019
A secularism bill currently before the Quebec government aims to ensure the religious neutrality of the state. The preamble to Bill 21, entitled “An Act respecting the laicity of the State,” explains the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s motivation. It says the Quebec nation “has its own characteristics, one of which is its civil law Read more
Married priests on the agenda in Quebec
Monday, April 9th, 2018
Married priests were one of the options discussed at a conference dedicated to the future of the Catholic Church in Quebec. Consolidating parishes was not a solution to the lack of priests, theologian and Auxiliary Bishop Marc Pelchat told the 80 people at the conference. The conference was organised by a lay group Le Parvis Read more
Quebec debates civil servant ban on religious garb
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013
Quebec’s public sector employees – including at hospitals and schools – may be forced to abandon head scarves, turbans, crucifixes and other religious apparel and symbols, if a controversial proposal passes. A report by Agence France Presse said the province has been working up changes for its “charter of values.” The government says its proposal Read more