Issue #502
THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY was the topic of a JOINT STATEMENT by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, issued on March 30, 2023, from Vatican City. A statement from the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops accompanied the Vatican Joint Statement. The Joint Statement affirms: “In no uncertain terms, the Church’s magisterium upholds the respect due to every human being. The Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous people, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’.” The statement emphasizes that the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ is not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church and that the papal documents under scrutiny by some scholars have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith.
FOUR SEMINARIANS from the Hamilton Diocese were called this week to Priestly Ordination following the supportive recommendations of their seminaries. Deacon Carlos Diaz, Deacon John Ha, Deacon Paul Niesiobedzki and Deacon Jonathan Reitzel, will be ordained during Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King at 11:00 a.m. on May 6, 2023. We are grateful for the zeal and desire of these young men to serve with us in the Diocese of Hamilton!
THE 2023 PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS FOR PRIESTS serving in the Diocese of Hamilton were announced this week. Most are effective on June 28, 2023, although there are a few with earlier appointment dates. Thank you for the openness of the Priests to accept these appointments. May your pastoral service be richly blessed!
BAPTIZED “FRANK”, Archbishop Leo, recently installed as Archbishop of Toronto, wishes to be called “Francis”! From the earliest of days, a change of name reflected a new calling from God in one’s life – a new covenant – a deeper relationship with the Lord. So, “Francis” it is! Dear Archbishop Francis Leo, you will always find a warm welcome among us in the Diocese of Hamilton!
ST. MARY’S GENERAL HOSPITAL and Grand River Hospital are beginning the exciting process of identifying a preferred site to build a new joint hospital in Kitchener-Waterloo. A panel of skilled professionals is being assembled to evaluate potential sites, leading to a final recommendation. Have some experience to share? Email your CV to info@futureofcaretogether.ca with the subject line “Application: Site Selection Panel”. Closes this Sunday, April 2nd, at 5:00 p.m. Act quickly.
GRIEF RELIEF is a program offered by the Office of Family Ministry for those who may be experiencing grief in their life – whatever the cause. Join us online (ZOOM) on Thursdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m., from April 13th to May 18th, to learn more about what you are feeling and how to gently move forward. You are not alone! Register on our Diocesan website.
THE DICASTERY for Interreligious Dialogue has published a Message for Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Diwas, celebrated by Jains on April 4, 2023. The title of the message is Christians and Jain: In solidarity with human suffering. Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ, Prefect of the Dicastery signed the message which is attached to this e-mail.
JOIN US ON MONDAY, April 3rd, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King for the celebration of the Mass of Chrism. Thomas Cardinal Collins, Bishop-emeritus Anthony Tonnos and Auxiliary Bishop-emeritus Matthew Ustrzycki will join over 160 Priests who serve in the Diocese. It is always an uplifting and joyful event.
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us.
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI