Bishops mark ‘sobering anniversary’ of Canada euthanasia law, call faithful to action #Catholic –

The Catholic bishops of Canada asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill “to voice renewed concern” about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, now in place for a decade.

In June 2016, Parliament passed federal legislation, Bill C-14, allowing “medical assistance in dying,” also known as MAiD. On June 17, David Johnston, then Canada’s governor general, gave “royal assent” to the measure, which permits eligible adults, under specified conditions, to access legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide across Canada.

In calling for renewed concern “as we mark this sobering anniversary,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee for Family and Life also urged all “to remain steadfast in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide, to pray for the conversion of hearts and minds away from this practice, and to be present to persons who are sick and vulnerable.”

“We reject complacency with the status quo on euthanasia in Canada,” the bishops said in a June 10 statement. “Formed by the Gospel, we are called to draw near to those who suffer: not to ignore, trivialize, or abandon them in their pain or despair, but to accompany them with compassion, practical care, and hope (cf. Lk 10:30-37).

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They continued, “We actively seek opportunities for effective, collaborative strategies to provide concrete and compassionate support to those living with serious physical or mental illness, those with disabilities, and those nearing the end of life, as well as their families and caregivers.”

Under the law, eligible adults can request a medical professional to directly administer a lethal substance (euthanasia), or provide lethal drugs for self-administration (assisted suicide).

They currently must meet several criteria including being at least 18 years old and mentally competent; being eligible for publicly funded Canadian health services; having a serious, incurable illness, disease or disability; and being in an advanced state of irreversible decline and experiencing intolerable physical or psychological suffering. They also must confirm their request is voluntary and not the result of external pressure or influence.

Individuals who suffer solely from a mental illness will become eligible for MAiD March 17, 2027. An earlier date for their eligibility was delayed, and in the meantime, Bill C-218 has been introduced to stop the expansion of the law to individuals with a mental illness.

“Canada now has ‘the world’s largest and fastest-growing euthanasia program,’” the bishops said in their statement.

Citing the government’s “Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, 2024,” they said the percentage of MAiD deaths is increasing annually and accounted for 5.1% of all deaths in 2024, or 16,499 Canadians. A November 2025 update to the report said there have been 76,475 deaths under MAiD since its 2016 legalization.

“Grave concern is warranted regarding the continued expansion of the eligibility criteria for ‘MAID,’ which puts increasing numbers of Canadians at risk,” they said.

“In 2016, only individuals whose death was ‘reasonably foreseeable’ were eligible for ‘MAID’ with so-called ‘safeguards” in place,’” the bishops said. “Subsequent legislation in 2021, however, considerably broadened the criteria, expanding access to include those whose death is not ‘reasonably foreseeable,’ but whose condition is ‘grievous and irremediable.’”

“True compassion does not answer suffering with death, but accompanies those who suffer with hope, presence, palliative care, and relief of pain,” the bishops said.

The Catholic faith “teaches that we must strive for proportionate treatment options that neither unduly prolong nor intentionally hasten death, but instead offer life-affirming and compassionate care,” they said.

They prayed for “all those whose lives have been lost to ‘MAID” and also “for their loved ones, many of whom continue to carry grief, confusion, regret, or unanswered questions.”

In remembering all those who continue to suffer — the sick, those with disabilities, the elderly, those living with mental illness, those near the end of life, and “all who experience loneliness, fear or despair” — Canadian bishops renewed their call to “give witness at the side of the sick person and to become a ‘healing community.’”

The bishops thanked “the many dioceses, eparchies, parishes, organizations, healthcare workers, families, and volunteers who, over the past 10 years, have promoted Christian hope in the face of illness and death and have resisted ‘MAID’ with courage and compassion.”

“Their witness reminds us that defending life is not only a public teaching,” they said, “but also a daily work of presence: visiting the sick, supporting caregivers, accompanying those in despair, advocating for the vulnerable, and helping build communities where no one feels they must face suffering alone.”

They ended their statement with a prayer: “In communion with our Lord, the Great Physician, let us offer together a prayer of hope, compassion, and vision towards the promise of everlasting love and life: Loving God, rock of strength for those who trust in you; comforter of those who call on you. Hear the cry of those who suffer from sickness or weakness, and embrace them in your loving arms. Give them peace, and strengthen them with the vision of your kingdom. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 

– The Catholic bishops of Canada asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill “to voice renewed concern” about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, now in place for a decade. In June 2016, Parliament passed federal legislation, Bill C-14, allowing “medical assistance in dying,” also known as MAiD. On June 17, David Johnston, then Canada’s governor general, gave “royal assent” to the measure, which permits eligible adults, under specified conditions, to access legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide across Canada. In calling for renewed concern “as we mark this sobering anniversary,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee

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Pope says Church ‘must move forward’ if SSPX proceeds with illicit ordinations #Catholic –

Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them.

Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate.

The pope said that while he is “considering making another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church,’” the decision to proceed “is their choice.”

“Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point. But they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the Church, starting with several points from the Second Vatican Council,” Pope Leo said.

“If they make that choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward,” he added.

In February, Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the SSPX, announced the society would proceed with the consecration of new bishops July 1, following a breakdown in communication with the Vatican after requests for an audience with Pope Leo went unanswered.

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After announcing their intention to proceed with the consecrations, Father Pagliarani was invited to meet with Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who offered to continue dialogue with the SSPX, but only if the society suspended its decision to consecrate new bishops.

After meeting with SSPX council members, Father Pagliarani sent a letter to the cardinal saying that while he welcomed continued dialogue, he could not accept the conditions, noting that the society and the Holy See remained divided over the Vatican II and post-conciliar reforms.

In a May 13 statement, Cardinal Fernández said that without the “requisite pontifical mandate,” the consecrations would be considered “a schismatic act” and that “formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law.”

U.S.-Iran agreement

Pope Leo also expressed his optimism about the recent deal to end the war in Iran that is expected to be signed June 19 in Switzerland.

“Thank God, there is at least this memorandum that it seems they will officially sign this Friday, so they are saying,” the pope said about the tentative agreement between the United States and Iran.

According to a draft of the memorandum published June 17 by Bloomberg News, the agreement outlined a framework for an immediate end to the conflict, mandating an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, and the restoration of shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz.

It also dictates $300 billion from the United States and its partners to be used “for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and an end to sanctions on the country. For its part, Iran will commit to “never produce nuclear weapons.”

The pope expressed his hope that the agreement “will truly be a solution to the war, that the war is truly finished and that we can move forward for the good of all.”

“Eliminating nuclear weapons, yes, that as well; seeking the good of all peoples, and seeking how to resolve problems also at the economic and social level that have been created during this time,” he said.

Vacation, future travels

Asked about his recent June 6-12 visit to Spain, Pope Leo told journalists that “the enthusiastic response from so many people” was “something very beautiful.”

“Every moment was very well prepared, it must be said, by the bishops with so many lay people and so many volunteers in all the places who worked to prepare everything. It has been wonderful. From what I’ve seen, the people were very happy, and I am certainly happy to be able to celebrate the faith,” the pope said.

Regarding his summer vacation, the pope said that while he expects “a bit of rest,” there will also be “a lot of reading, reflection, and preparation for what comes next.”

“There is always work too, but peacefully,” he said.

Among the most anticipated events after the summer is the pope’s Sept. 25-28 visit to France. In a June 9 statement, the French bishops’ conference released additional details on the upcoming papal trip, which includes stops in Paris, Metz and Lourdes.

When asked about other trips after France, Pope Leo said he was “looking into others.”

Although the Vatican has yet to announce any other trips, Peruvian President José María Balcázar told journalists outside a polling station in Chiclayo, the pope’s former diocese, that Pope Leo is expected to arrive in Peru Nov. 10, the Peruvian news site RPP reported June 7.

Regarding a possible 2027 visit to Mexico, Pope Leo told journalists that he hoped it would be much sooner.

“We will see about that, but hopefully not too much time passes,” he said.

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City said in January that he had invited the pope to visit Mexico, “which he had originally extended a few days after the conclave.”

“In response, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude and stated his desire and interest in being in our country soon to entrust his pontificate to the Virgin of Guadalupe,” the statement read.

Mexico City is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is on the site of Mary’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531.

Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist.

 

– Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them. Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate. The pope said that while he is “considering making another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church,’” the decision

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‘Faith in action’: Over 5,000 volunteers in San Diego pack 2 million meals for those in need #Catholic –

“Never did I ever think that it would be this big.”

Deacon Jim Scull was referring to the Million Meal Event, which he and a small team of deacons from the Diocese of San Diego launched five years ago. At the inaugural event, volunteers packed 1 million nutritious meals to distribute to impoverished families across the border in Tijuana and in Africa.

The deacons held the fifth edition of the Million Meal Event over the June 13-14 weekend, again returning to the expansive grounds of Cathedral Catholic High School. This year, around 5,100 volunteers doubled the number of meals they packed — to 2 million.

The event is a project of the diocese’s permanent deacons to serve the most vulnerable. They recruit volunteers at their parishes and raise funds to cover the event’s costs, which this year totaled about $600,000.

They collaborate with a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, Kids Around the World, which buys the bulk ingredients and distributes a portion of the meals overseas to the communities they serve. This year’s Million Meal Event was the largest of the nearly 200 packing events the agency will support in 2026, said its CEO, Jeff Rosene.

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Two years ago, the deacons joined forces with Catholic Charities, also part of the Diocese of San Diego, to strengthen their event.

Catholic Charities works with many parishes to serve needy families in their communities through its Emergency Food Distribution Network+. Under the leadership of San Diego’s Bishop Michael M. Pham, Catholic Charities set out to pack an additional 1 million meals this year to provide for hungry families across the diocese, which runs the length of California’s border with Mexico.

Of the remaining million meals, 500,000 meals will again be destined for an urban center that serves needy families in Tijuana, Casa de los Pobres, operated by Franciscan sisters. And the other 500,000 meals will be transported to Ecuador, where Kids Around the World serves 4,000 poor children in its feeding and discipleship program.

“You are not only packing meals today but you’re also feeding people in both San Diego and Imperial counties,” Catholic Charities’ CEO, Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, told the volunteers during the morning shift June 13.

“Who is my neighbor?” Pajanor asked them. “It’s my neighbor next door as well as my neighbor who I don’t know.”

The volunteers — about 34% more than last year — came from 78 of the diocese’s parishes and from schools and other organizations. They cheerfully arrived in groups and families, some pushing strollers, as if they were going to an outdoor celebration. Participants ranged in age from around 8 to 80-plus.

They packed meals over two 2.5-hour shifts on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon, working in assembly lines under large tents shading them from the hot sun. Many volunteers worked alongside people they knew, while others quickly introduced themselves and got to work.

They measured ingredients that went into each packet — red lentils, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins and minerals — and to seal and label each one. Then they placed the packets in boxes, which in turn were stacked for easy transportation.

A DJ played popular tunes during the packing shifts, with volunteers dancing along. Periodically, a deacon or another organizer would announce a new milestone — “We just packed another 200,000 meals!” — to widespread cheering.

Many volunteers were veterans of the event, while others were newcomers.

“It’s an amazing day for the community,” said Nicole Winfield, from St. James Academy, as she worked at a table alongside her children. “My kids enjoy it every year. It kicks off their summertime. To do something for others is our faith in action,” she told The Southern Cross, San Diego’s diocesan news outlet.

This was the first time for Briana Powell, a young adult member of The Immaculata Parish. She was part of a group of about 50 volunteers from the parish who turned out for the Saturday morning shift, all sporting bright blue T-shirts.

She said she learned about the event one Sunday after Mass, when she stopped by a booth, and signed up on the spot.

“I wanted to give back to the community,” said Powell. “And to be a part of something great.”

Catholic Charities’ CEO, Pajanor, said he was sharing the Million Meal Event with the other Catholic Charities agencies across the country to show the impact the project can have in parishes, the diocese’s home region and globally.

At the packing tables, the deacons and priests worked alongside their parishioners. Newly ordained Deacon Joseph Parker, from Resurrection Parish in Escondido, was one of them.

“Today we’re helping to feed those who are in most need,” the deacon said. “We’re here to be able to serve. This is the body of Christ. We’re all called to serve any way we can.”

Between shifts on Saturday, Jesuit Father Eduardo Samaniego, who directs the diocese’s Office for the Permanent Diaconate, reflected on the challenges of starting and growing the event during its five-year existence.

By 2024, volunteer interest had been so high that the deacons set out to pack 1.5 million meals, but accomplishing that goal turned out harder than expected. Last year they reverted to the original 1 million meal goal.

“Who would have thought we would get it up to 2 million?” he asked.

He noted the number of children and young people who participated in the event.

“The kids grow up enjoying it,” he said. “And eventually, you teach them why we do it.”

He pointed to a large banner that greeted volunteers entering the school grounds on their way to the packing tables, bearing the Gospel passage in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me food.”

“We’re doing this for Jesus,” he said.

Aida Bustos, director of media for the San Diego Diocese, is editor of The Southern Cross, the diocesan news outlet. This article was published in The Southern Cross and distributed in partnership with OSV News.

 

– “Never did I ever think that it would be this big.” Deacon Jim Scull was referring to the Million Meal Event, which he and a small team of deacons from the Diocese of San Diego launched five years ago. At the inaugural event, volunteers packed 1 million nutritious meals to distribute to impoverished families across the border in Tijuana and in Africa. The deacons held the fifth edition of the Million Meal Event over the June 13-14 weekend, again returning to the expansive grounds of Cathedral Catholic High School. This year, around 5,100 volunteers doubled the number of meals they

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El Papa reflexiona sobre su viaje a España y afirma que el fenómeno migratorio exige que los cristianos relean el Evangelio #Catholic –

Al reflexionar sobre su viaje de una semana a España, el Papa León XIV dijo que una “una clave de interpretación general” provino de las Islas Canarias, donde la migración reveló tanto los desafíos que enfrenta Europa como lo que él describió como un camino cristiano hacia una “civilización del amor”.

En su audiencia general semanal del 17 de junio, el Papa señaló que el papel del archipiélago como puerta de entrada para miles de migrantes procedentes de África ofrecía una visión integral de un tema complejo que también desafía a los cristianos a releer el Evangelio en el mundo actual.

Señaló que el fenómeno migratorio es “complejo y que requiere planes de acción orgánicos y concertados”, pero también desafía a los cristianos a “releer el Evangelio en el mundo de hoy intercambiándonos los dones de nuestras respectivas culturas y, en especial, los frutos que produce en ellas la fecundidad del mensaje de Cristo”.

“Este camino no es fácil; requiere buena voluntad y la ayuda de Dios, pero es el camino que conduce a la civilización del amor”, dijo en la Plaza de San Pedro.

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El Papa abordó el tema de la migración en repetidas ocasiones durante los últimos días de su viaje apostólico, con las declaraciones más contundentes de su pontificado al respecto.

“Una conciencia humana, y más aún una conciencia cristiana, no puede permanecer indiferente ante las víctimas de los naufragios y de la falta de ayuda”, dijo el 12 de junio durante un encuentro en Tenerife con organizaciones que ayudan a integrar a los migrantes.

El día anterior, desde el Puerto de Arguineguín, en Gran Canaria, advirtió contra la indiferencia ante las muertes de los migrantes.

“No podemos acostumbrarnos a contar muertos”, dijo. “La dignidad humana no tiene pasaporte ni pierde valor al cruzar una frontera”.

A pesar de bromear con los periodistas durante el vuelo a España diciendo que tal vez más gente estuviera interesada en los conciertos de Bad Bunny que se realizaban en Madrid esa misma semana, el Papa se encontró con multitudes enormes en todo el país. Más de 1,2 millones de personas asistieron a una misa en la Plaza de Cibeles de Madrid, y otras 500.000 se reunieron para una vigilia de oración juvenil en la Plaza de Lima.

“He podido notar con alegría cómo la gente, de todas las edades y condiciones, esperaba la visita del Papa: en todas partes he encontrado multitudes que me han dado la bienvenida con gran cariño. Este hecho no era algo que se pudiera dar por sentado, y merece una reflexión”, expresó durante su audiencia semanal.

A lo largo del viaje, el Papa León señaló que la misión del papado es promover la comunión, el diálogo y la unidad a través de la diversidad, temas que destacó en sus discursos por toda España.

Al reflexionar sobre la entusiasta acogida que recibió, dijo: “Considero que manifiesta la necesidad generalizada de reencontrarse unidos sobre un fundamento verdadero y profundo, no ideológico ni de interés parcial”. Lo que la gente busca, dijo, en última instancia solo se puede encontrar en Cristo, cuyo Evangelio responde a la búsqueda de la verdad y a la sed de justicia de la humanidad.

El también Papa destacó su visita a la Basílica de la Sagrada Familia de Barcelona, donde celebró la Misa y bendijo la recién terminada Torre de Jesucristo, lo que convirtió a la basílica en la iglesia más alta del mundo.

“Este encuentro de lo antiguo y lo moderno, de la tradición católica y la cultura contemporánea, me ha hecho percibir directamente el carácter propio de Europa, su riqueza inestimable, como realidad actual, no superada”, dijo a la multitud en la Plaza de San Pedro.

“Se trata de un patrimonio que hay que custodiar con cuidado, para poder invertirlo en el hoy global con sus desafíos históricos: la paz, la ecología integral, el desarrollo equitativo y sostenible, el respeto a la dignidad humana”.

El Papa también reflexionó durante su audiencia semanal sobre sus encuentros con jóvenes, sobrevivientes de abusos y presos, y señaló que la sociedad moderna a menudo deja a las personas en busca de esperanza y sentido.

“Es importante tomar conciencia de cómo la salud mental se ve cada vez más amenazada en el contexto de sociedades que se consideran avanzadas”, dijo el 9 de junio en el Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys de Barcelona. “Es una señal de que hay algo profundamente erróneo en una cierta idea de crecimiento que somete a las personas a presiones, expectativas y tensiones que comprometen equilibrios fundamentales”.

Durante su visita a España, también rechazó los intentos de “espiritualizar el dolor, reconduciéndolo superficialmente a la ‘voluntad de Dios’ o a algún misterioso proyecto suyo, porque esto corre el riesgo de minimizar ese sufrimiento, de silenciarlo, de herir a las personas”.

“Dios no quiere el sufrimiento, lo lleva con nosotros y nos invita a confiar en Él de modo perseverante”, dijo, porque “con Dios, la vida renace siempre”.

El lema del viaje fue “Alzad la mirada”, tomado del relato evangélico en el que Jesús enseña a sus discípulos a mirar más allá de sus circunstancias y a reconocer en los demás el deseo de vida, verdad y plenitud. El Papa León afirmó haber sido testigo de ese anhelo por toda España.

“Hoy quisiera compartir con ustedes esta invitación: ¡alcemos la mirada! Aprendamos de Jesús a mirar al prójimo, la gente, el mundo, ‘con los ojos de Dios’, es decir, con amor, respeto y compasión”, dijo el 17 de junio.

 

– Al reflexionar sobre su viaje de una semana a España, el Papa León XIV dijo que una “una clave de interpretación general” provino de las Islas Canarias, donde la migración reveló tanto los desafíos que enfrenta Europa como lo que él describió como un camino cristiano hacia una “civilización del amor”. En su audiencia general semanal del 17 de junio, el Papa señaló que el papel del archipiélago como puerta de entrada para miles de migrantes procedentes de África ofrecía una visión integral de un tema complejo que también desafía a los cristianos a releer el Evangelio en el mundo

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