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
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’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
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
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 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’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