Church in Canada

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other government officials held bilateral meetings with Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin on July 27, 2022, during the pope's trip to that country.

Canada census shows 2 million fewer Catholics as disaffiliation grows

Oct 27, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Catholic population in Canada has declined by almost 2 million people in the last 10 years, the Canadian census... Read more

Pope Francis meets with clerics, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers of Canada at the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec in Quebec City, July 28, 2022.

Seeking to build on papal visit, Canada’s bishops stress indigenous reconciliation

Sep 30, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Indigenous issues were at the forefront when about 90 Catholic bishops met in Cornwall, Ontario for the Canadian bishops’ 2022... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on a papal flight August 14, 2014.

Pope Francis: Canada's residential schools system was 'cultural genocide'

Jul 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis has agreed with the view that the forced removal of Indigenous children and their treatment in Canada’s residential... Read more

A teddy bear sits beside a lantern outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School where flowers and cards have been left as part of a growing makeshift memorial created in response to media reports that the "remains" of 215 children have been discovered buried near the facility in Kamloops on June 5, 2021.

No remains unearthed yet from Canada’s residential school grave sites

Jul 25, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell, Katie Yoder

No excavation has been done at suspected grave sites at residential schools in Canada. Yet media outlets continue to report... Read more

St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kamloops, Canada, in February 2015. Credit: Alan Levine via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

Canada's bishops apologize for abuses at residential schools

Sep 24, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Catholic bishops of Canada issued a formal apology to the Indigenous population of the country for the abuses of... Read more

Coronavirus vaccine, stock image.

Canadian archbishop: Only fully vaccinated can attend Mass

Sep 18, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Unvaccinated Catholics barred from attending Mass in Canada's New Brunswick province, which has had fewer than 50 COVID-19 related deaths... Read more

A Squamish Nation canoe approaching Bella Bella, Canada, June 27, 1993. Credit: UN Photo/John Isaac.

'Contrite hearts' and concrete action: Catholics react to the legacy of Canada's residential schools

Aug 11, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic leaders, including a First Nations deacon, reflect on the shocking legacy of Canada’s residential schools run by Catholic and... Read more

The former Kamloops Indian Residential School

Despite millions in Catholic residential schools reparations, critics seek to end church tax exemptions

Aug 9, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic entities had committed tens of millions of dollars in legal settlements for their involvement in the Canadian government’s historic... Read more

The former Kamloops Indian Residential School

Oblates of Mary apologize for 'deafness' in response to reports of graves at indigenous schools 

Jul 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate had significant responsibility for operating residential schools for Canada’s First Nations and other indigenous... Read more

The former Kuper Island Indian Residential School, 1941

First Nations leaders announce more than 160 unmarked graves found at former Catholic-run residential school

Jul 13, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A Canadian First Nations tribe last week announced an estimated 160 unmarked graves were found at the site of a... Read more

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Berlin, February 2017.

Petition urges Canadian PM not to slander Catholic Church over residential schools

Jul 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition requesting that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cease blaming the Catholic Church... Read more

Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina, Canada. Credit: Grahampurse via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Bishops in Saskatchewan propose fundraising appeal for residential school survivors

Jul 6, 2021

The bishops in Saskatchewan on Saturday announced plans for a fundraising effort across the province to support survivors of residential... Read more

Fire destroys St. Jean Baptiste parish, Morinville, Alberta

Indigenous leader in Canada cautions against arsons at churches

Jul 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

A First Nations leader in Alberta released a video plea on Wednesday decrying recent “suspicious” fires at Catholic churches throughout... Read more

The flag of Canada. Credit: Jiri Flogel/Shutterstock.

More unmarked graves discovered in Canada as church vandalism continues

Jul 1, 2021

The discovery of 182 additional undocumented graves outside a former residential school in Canada has heightened calls to boycott Canada... Read more

Fire destroys St. Jean Baptiste parish, Morinville, Alberta

Canadian police investigate two more ‘suspicious’ fires at Catholic churches

Jun 30, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating two more fires at Catholic churches in Canada as “suspicious,” after four churches... Read more

Memorial in Ottawa, Canada, in tribute to 215 Indigenous children whose remains were found in unmarked graves at the site of a former residential School in Kamloops, June 1, 2021.

Saskatchewan bishops call for justice after new discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school

Jun 25, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Bishops of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan acknowledged the need for “repentance” and justice, after a new discovery of hundreds... Read more

Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver.

Vancouver archdiocese releases report on sex abuse cases

Nov 26, 2019

The Archdiocese of Vancouver released Friday a report on clergy sexual abuse, including 31 recommendations for improvements to policies and... Read more

Bishops: Don't let the media guide Catholics on divorce

Sep 17, 2016

Divorced Catholics who have remarried civilly are welcome to seek reconciliation with the Church, but they need to be sure... Read more

Canadian pilgrims at a July 24 World Youth Day catechesis session

Canadians find greater unity at Rio’s World Youth Day

Jul 24, 2013

A group of Canadian pilgrims said this World Youth Day is more fun and the youth feel “more united” than... Read more

March for Life 2013 in Ottawa, Canada.

Canada's pro-life march shows growing movement

May 11, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

The 16th National March for Life drew to Ottawa thousands of pro-life Canadians who advocated legal protections for all unborn... Read more