Articles — Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

Pope Francis Unusually Isolated in Chilean Priest Sex Abuse Scandal

In the Bishop Barros affair, Chile’s bishops opposed Pope Francis’ decision in 2015 in private, and would not support him in 2018 in public.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 22, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

What’s Not Canada?

How could the investigation have been conducted with such haste that the contradictions inevitable in the story of an 11-year-old telling a fib, went uncovered by police, let alone the media?

Newman House ManagerJanuary 18, 2018Convivium, Culture, Canada

Battlefield of Our Hearts

The everyday battle of the Christian disciple is within our hearts. Some pieces of our hearts, corrupted by the world, must be destroyed so that, purified in the fire of the Holy Spirit, we may be free to choose God.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 18, 2018Convivium, Faith, Canada

St. Francis Xavier relic highlights vital role of immigrants

The future of Catholicism in Canada depends upon the fidelity of immigrants from Asia. If our presence does not make this land more holy, what it is the point of our being here?

Newman House ManagerJanuary 17, 2018Catholic Register, Church Affairs, Canada

Trudeau's love of dictatorships is showing again at home

What the government is demanding of summer employers is coerced speech, using its power to force assent to a political position.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 17, 2018National Post, Politics, Canada

The extraordinary power of a 500-year-old arm

In an age when the Church is emphasising anew the priority of missionary discipleship, the relic pilgrimage of St Francis Xavier gives us a sharp challenge to renew our missionary zeal.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 15, 2018Catholic Herald, Church Affairs, Canada

Canadian Pilgrims Throng to St. Francis Xavier Relic

The relic pilgrimage of St. Francis Xavier's arm across Canada is proving to be the largest Catholic event of the year in the places it has visited.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 13, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs, Canada

Response to relic of St. Francis Xavier proves young faith is strong

The visit of St. Francis Xavier’s relic shows that tradition is more attractive to young people than innovations, and that immigrants are making our country more religious, not less.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 12, 2018National Post, Church Affairs, Canada

St. Francis Xavier and Friendship for Mission

Friendship with Christ is the reason for mission. Friendship with fellow disciples makes that mission possible.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 11, 2018Convivium, Canada, Church Affairs

St. Francis Xavier relic hits very close to home

The relic of St. Francis Xavier is making a Canada-wide visit this month, reminding us that the great missionary mandate to the nations is never exhausted.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 9, 2018Catholic Register, Church Affairs, Canada

2017 Was the (Undeclared) Year of Fatima

What accounts for this undeclared Year of Fatima, in which the world was swept with a wave of consecrations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Four reasons suggest themselves.

Newman House ManagerDecember 28, 2017National Catholic Register, Mary, Church Affairs

What Jesus, descendant of David, promises mankind

In the face of the great evils that abound, what is needed is something beyond a reckoning. What is needed is for the transgression to be redeemed.

Newman House ManagerDecember 22, 2017Faith, National Post

The new Star Wars abandons great themes for silly ones

The Last Jedi generally rehashes old material with sillier characters and locales. I do welcome its exploration of hope, which is barely given adequate treatment.

Newman House ManagerDecember 21, 2017National Post, Culture

A blessing of Providence after church fire

We will be back in our splendid “new” Marian church at Christmas — 100 years exactly since the first Mass and one year since the fire.

Newman House ManagerDecember 14, 2017Catholic Register, Church Affairs

An Encomium For Actual Icons

I make a plea – to Christian writers at least – to stop using the regrettably ubiquitous adjective “iconic.” It is employed far too often, and rarely with its proper meaning.

Newman House ManagerDecember 14, 2017Convivium, Culture

Controlling Jerusalem is a special obligation. Israel is up to it

It is an obligation incumbent on whichever power controls Jerusalem to be generous, knowing that it must also prove a worthy custodian of the city’s universal dimension.

Newman House ManagerDecember 14, 2017National Post, Politics, Israel