|
Murder most unsolved
Coquitlam resident Anthony Bortolussi is researching
the Scottish side of his family history, hoping to make a film about the
unsolved murder of his great, great grandfather. The victim, murdered July
13, 1934, was police commissioner, city councillor, gas station owner and
one-time Baptist minister Thomas Douglas. According to Tri-City News, Douglas was a
humanitarian who “gave his profits away buying Christmas gifts for
the local children, taking families of unemployed workers to White Rock for
picnics, and sometimes paying their bills.” More than 1,000 mourners
turned out for Douglas’ funeral.
A cause by any other name
Pro Life BC has changed its name to Signal Hill. The
organization’s name and new slogan, “Separating noise from
signal,” refers to the first transatlantic wireless signal sent from
Signal Hill in Newfoundland in 1901, which allowed a clear message to be
heard above the static of the airwaves. Similarly, the organization hopes
its new name will give it more access to schools and other public forums
and allow its message to be heard above the static of the abortion debate.
Signal Hill describes itself as “an advocate for human rights that
provides information on life issues, women’s health and family
support.” www.thesignalhill.com
Punjabis breaking new ground
The Punjabi Masihi Church broke ground July 5 for a
12,000-square-foot, $1.5 million building at 14474 – 72 Avenue in
Surrey. The church began in 1985 with two women meeting in their homes to
seek Jesus. It moved to a large portable attached to another church in
Delta 10 years later. Attendance is currently over 100; the sanctuary in
the new building will seat 300. Pastor Jagpal Dhaliwal preaches in both
English and Punjabi, with translation provided. www.punjabichurch.com
Mair fair to Kari
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled June 27 that it was
“fair comment” for CKNW radio talk show host Rafe Mair
(pictured) to compare Christian activist Kari Simpson to Adolf Hitler and
George Wallace. Mair made the comments in an October 25, 1999 editorial in
regard to Simpson’s opposition to the inclusion of three
pro-homosexual books in a Surrey elementary school classroom. After Simpson
sued Mair, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in Mair’s favour in 2004, but
the B.C. Court of Appeal sided with Simpson in 2006. Mair then appealed to
the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court ruled that the comments were
defamatory but should were protected by the principle of free speech.
Canadian Christian Idol?
A new Canadian reality show called Gospel’s Dynamic Duets is
seeking to discover new Christian musical talent. Contestants aged 18
– 40 will audition by singing a song in one of four categories:
Hillsongs, Contemporary Christian Music, Black Gospel, and Praise and
Worship. At the end of the program, the winners will be paired with
existing Canadian Gospel talents to sing duets. The winners’
performances will also be included in an album. The show will be hosted in
Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver. Vancouver auditions take place September 12
– 13 at Calvary Worship Centre, New Westminster. For more information
on how to participate, go to: www.gospelsduets.com.
Continue article >>
|
Pro-lifers back on campus
The Capilano College Students Union (CSU) has reached
an out-of-court settlement that will allow the pro-life Heartbeat Club to
be recognized as an official CSU club and use college facilities like other
clubs. The North Vancouver college rejected the club’s application in
2006 on the grounds that it would hinder “a woman’s right to
choose.” The club then filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights
Tribunal. The CSU decided to settle out of court after the tribunal refused
to dismiss the case in January 2008. Pro-life groups have been refused club
status in a number of universities and colleges across Canada.
Campaign Life
Coalition B.C. Newsletter
From German to Latin
Divine Mercy Quasi-Parish in New Westminster, which
offers the traditional Latin mass in the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Vancouver, moved to Holy Family Parish in Vancouver effective July 1. The
Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) has been appointed by Archbishop
Raymond Roussin to administer the Holy Family Parish for a five-year term,
with Father Erik Deprey serving as pastor. The FSSP was founded in 1988 to
retrain priests to offer the Latin Mass approved by the Council of Trent in
the 17th century. Holy Family will no longer be a ‘German national
parish,’ although Father Benno Burghardt, who is retiring, will
continue to offer mass in German in the parish.
The B.C. Catholic
Moses didn’t learn it this fast
Instant Hebrew is a
three-lesson, CD-based course which promises to “teach you how to
read Hebrew in just 120 minutes, directly from your computer.” The
website offering the course (www.InstantHebrew.com) is based in Israel. The
instructor is Elana Watson, an Abbotsford-based recording artist and
internationally known singer. –
JC
August 2008
|
