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2 Ontario-linked activists held in Egypt
Egyptian authorities have detained two Coptic Christian activists suspected of posting anti-Islamic messages on a Christian website, a police official and the lawyer for the two said Thursday. State security officers stormed the homes of Adel Fawzy and Peter Ezzat in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, arresting the two on Wednesday and seizing documents and computers, said the police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media. Fawzy and Ezzat are the founders of the Cairo branch of the Middle East Christian Association, known as MECA, an Ontario-based group that advocates the rights and freedoms of Christians in the Middle East.
Canadian Press, August 9
2 held in Egypt for work on website operated by Canadian group
Egyptian police have detained two Egyptian Christians for their work on the website of a Christian Arab group based in Canada, police sources said on Thursday. Named as Adel Fawzi and Peter Ezzat, the two worked for the Middle East Christian Association, which has its headquarters in Scarborough.
Reuters, August 9
Funding religious schools is bad policy
While the status quo may be flawed, providing more government funding to religious schools would only make matters worse. Such a plan would further ghettoize religious communities -- especially the Muslim community, which is already quite insular. Conservative Muslims may support Mr. Tory's plan, and downplay differences between Islamic and Canadian values in an attempt to win support for public funding. But step into their schools, and you may be shocked at what they're teaching.
Farzana Hassan and Salma Siddiqui, National Post, August 9
Earlier: Muslim preacher raised issue of religion and violence
Other stories from the past week:
Roasting squirrel over campfire has Sask Bible camp counsellor facing heat
A counsellor at a northern Saskatchewan Bible camp is feeling the heat for killing and roasting a squirrel over a campfire. The bushy-tailed rodent was injured recently after the counsellor at Camp Kadesh, which is located about 48 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert, threw a stick in its direction.
Canadian Press, August 3
Passionate prof studied a select religious sect
Leonard Mendelsohn didn't only teach English literature at Montreal's Concordia University for 30 years to rave reviews from his students, he also was an authority on the Shakers, the celibate religious sect who live a communal lifestyle and as a result are close to extinction. He was 70 when he died at Montreal's Maimonides hospital on May 8.
CanWest News Service, August 3
Toronto physician to advise Vatican
Ethics specialist named to academy studying bioethical issues such as cloning, stem cell research
Toronto Star, August 4
NASCAR veteran Shepherd driven by his faith
Seventy-five minutes after his arrival, Shepherd was in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, standing inside the engine compartment of his Victory In Jesus Dodge Charger. He was a full day behind everyone in preparing for tomorrow's inaugural NAPA Auto Parts 200.
CanWest News Service, August 4
The queen of Green's family asset
Sixteen years ago, Elizabeth May, now at the helm of the federal Green Party, asked a famous Canadian writer to be the godfather of her newborn daughter. Farley Mowat now admits he hasn't brought his spiritual charge any closer to the Lord, but he did give her some good advice: Don't be an activist.
Globe and Mail, August 4
Earlier: The mouths and ears of sermons
Falun Gong protester attacked
Savage beating injures man outside Chinese consulate
Vancouver Sun, August 4
Earlier: Kilgour urges boycott of Beijing Olympics
Log to be carved into 'spirit pole' as it tours province
As a prelude to the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games, a master carver and apprentices will take a six-metre western red cedar log on a 13-week trip around the province, visiting more than 40 communities. During the trip, the piece of wood will be transformed into a spirit pole that commemorates the history of the province's First Nations.
CanWest News Service, August 4
Topic: Asian-Canadians' effects on social values
Discussion: Who knows? Scholars seem remarkably ignorant about immigrant populations' beliefs on a wide range of issues
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, August 4
Memo to U of T financial donors
But in light of our contemporary deviancies, wouldn't it be fair to warn donors and benefactors at fundraising time? "You're not obliged to sign that cheque, Mr. Massey -- or Mr. Weston or Mr. Munk -- but remember, any gift you bestow on us, may be used against your values." The U of T won't say it, so I will. Universities have become a booby trap under liberalism's three pillars: free contract, free inquiry and free enterprise. Donate to them at your peril.
George Jonas, National Post, August 4
Gays rally to protest council's disapproval
TRURO, N.S. -- Gays in this small town north of Halifax are celebrating their pride this week without official backing, after local council, led by a Scripture-quoting mayor, voted overwhelmingly against flying the rainbow flag outside town hall. The decision prompted a rally yesterday and there are plans to raise the flag today in the adjacent community of Bible Hill instead, at the Colchester County municipal building.
Globe and Mail, August 7
No Mass in Cathedraltown
A property dispute in Markham has shut a landmark church blessed by John Paul II
National Post, August 7
Lebanese Christians turn backs on PM
The wobbly government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora took another body blow yesterday as the results of a crucial by-election bolstered the country's Hezbollah-led opposition. On the surface, the opposition simply won an extra seat in a dysfunctional parliament that hasn't been able to meet for more than eight months. But the surprising victory of Camille Khoury, a candidate from General Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, in a predominantly Christian riding in the mountains east of Beirut immediately makes the controversial Gen. Aoun the favourite to win a presidential election this fall.
Globe and Mail, August 7
Want to help? Sure, but consider all the costs of sending troops to Darfur
The announcement that several states will be deploying troops to the Darfur region of Sudan is a very positive development for that war-ravaged country. This breakthrough, however, creates a difficult situation for Canada. There will now be calls for us to contribute as well. This is a noble sentiment, but any future decision must be made with a full understanding of the costs to Canada. Many assume such a mission would be preferable to our mission in Afghanistan, but a close consideration of the Sudanese reality does not support such a conclusion.
Rob Huebet, Globe and Mail, August 7
Earlier: Darfur, Calvinists and the Franciscans
Victim says church makes her relive sex abuse
A victim of pedophile priest Charles Sylvestre says the London, Ont., diocese, which is trying to settle several lawsuits, is forcing victims to relive abuse and justify their complaints under intense questioning -- something they already endured during an earlier criminal trial. Carol Ann Mieras said she believes the Catholic church's insurer is requiring the examinations for discovery in order to wear down already weary victims, and that the church, by letting it happen, is falling short on its promises of compassion.
CanWest News Service, August 8
Earlier: Church erred in handling of pedophile priest: bishop
Church argues marijuana a sacrament
If some religions sip wine at the altar, others should be allowed to smoke pot. At least according to Rev. Edwin Pearson and Rev. Michel Ethier, two ordained ministers behind a proposed $25 million class action lawsuit challenging Canada's marijuana laws. The ministers, along with lay preacher James Hoad, allege the federal government is violating the religious freedom of members of the Church of the Universe, which claims marijuana as a "sacrament."
Toronto Star, August 8
A giant among two peoples
One of the most extraordinary, and improbable, religious figures of the 20th century will be laid to rest at Notre Dame in Paris tomorrow. Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, Archbishop of Paris from 1981 to 2005, died on Sunday. Not missing an opportunity to stir up a little Catholic-Jewish tension, the Jerusalem Post headlined the news, "Apostate French Cardinal dead at 80." Apostate? Cardinal Lustiger had in fact devoted his entire adult life to arguing just the opposite, that in converting from Judaism to Catholicism he remained what he was, and had not abandoned the faith of Israel.
Fr. Raymond J. De Souza, National Post, August 9
August 9/2007
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