Articles — Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

When someone leaves the Church, how do we pastors respond?

The pastor goes after the lost and beseeches those who would depart. But what if the lost are determined not to come back?

Newman House ManagerMarch 19, 2020Faith, Catholic Herald

Catholic Principles and Practices in Time of Pandemic

Now that there is time to make sober adjustments, pastors might find creative ways to publicly continue the prayer of the Church.

Newman House ManagerMarch 16, 2020National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

Balancing safety and human interaction during a pandemic — and beyond

Safety and risk, openness and protection — that balance defines a culture. We have been knocked off balance for the foreseeable future. But how will things look when we get back up?

Newman House ManagerMarch 13, 2020Culture, National Post

A synod on synodality risks being self-referential

The seventh anniversary of Pope Francis falls at a time when the pontificate’s agenda has run into difficulty on two key issues – synodality and curial reform.

Newman House ManagerMarch 12, 2020Catholic Herald, Church Affairs

The Convivial Charms of Curling

Spending time at the Brier is a proud mix of citizenship, friendship and sporting glory.

Newman House ManagerMarch 10, 2020Culture, Convivium

The nature of devil’s sin still holds lesson for us

The devil rebelled against the created order of nature; he wanted to be the author of nature.

Newman House ManagerMarch 7, 2020Faith, Catholic Register

Audiences With the Pope Are Always Agreeable Occasions

It is extremely rare to find anyone who emerges from an audience with the Holy Father without a highly favorable impression and without thinking that the Holy Father shares his position.

Newman House ManagerMarch 6, 2020Church Affairs, National Catholic Register

For pure Canadiana, the Brier is hard to beat

Curling is very, very Canadian in the best sense — challenging, wintry, courteous. Every good shot, regardless of team, is cheered with admiration.

Newman House ManagerMarch 6, 2020Culture, National Post

Why didn't Pius call Vatican II?

Access to the Pius XII archives will affirm what is already known but may shed light on why the pontiff did not convoke Vatican II.

Newman House ManagerMarch 5, 2020Church Affairs, Catholic Herald

On Being Jean Vanier

With the saintly founder of L’Arche capable of great wickedness, Father Raymond de Souza asks, what snares imperil the rest of us?

Newman House ManagerFebruary 28, 2020Faith, Convivium

Indigenous reconciliation requires resource development

If energy projects in remote areas require Indigenous consultation and participation, why not go the whole way and get Indigenous ownership?

Newman House ManagerFebruary 28, 2020Politics, National Post

The Great Fruit of L’Arche Came Despite Jean Vanier’s Sins

Catholics have a right to be both angry and confused, sad and perplexed by the revelation of the L’Arche founder’s grave sexual misconduct.

Newman House ManagerFebruary 27, 2020Faith, National Catholic Register

Jean Vanier and the cult of the founder

That a man such as Vanier could be guilty of such great sins is a stark latter-day confirmation of the biblical truth that the Lord’s anointed can do wicked things.

Newman House ManagerFebruary 27, 2020Faith, Catholic Herald

Fires on the tracks, which the police dared not put out

Massed police — even if only for crowd control — can be a fearsome sight. Watching the police impassively watching the incendiary vandalizing of the national railway is fearful in a different way.

Newman House ManagerFebruary 25, 2020National Post, Culture

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission made this a no-win situation

No-win because the very institutions that are required to resolve disputes are themselves being considered corrupt and illegitimate.

Newman House ManagerFebruary 21, 2020National Post, Culture

In ‘Querida Amazonia,’ Does ‘Mission’ of Aparecida Live Again?

Despite Pope Francis’ revival of the great vision the Latin American bishops set forth in 2007, there is little evidence that it will be truly be put into practice.

Newman House ManagerFebruary 20, 2020National Catholic Register, Church Affairs