Humanae Vitae at 50

Raymond J. de Souza

July 27, 2018

Convivium editor-in-chief Father Raymond de Souza recounts the fury that greeted the Catholic Church’s historic teaching document condemning contraception.

In 2018, has the culture of sexual liberalism and promiscuity, of which contraception is the sine qua non, been good for women? Paul VI warned that one consequence of widespread contraception would be a decreasing regard for the dignity of women on the part of men But in 1968, the idea that Pope Pau...

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The NDP’s Anti-Labour Paradox

Peter Stockland with Brian Dijkema

July 27, 2018

Cardus’ director of Work and Economics made waves on Canada’s West Coast this month with a report critiquing the B.C. government’s move to let only unionized construction companies bid for major infrastructure projects. But, Brian Dijkema tells Convivum, the policy will cost taxpayers billions, punish workers, and risk damage to democracy itself.

By picking and choosing one labour model, they have given a leg up to companies that use that labour model, and in so doing have given a preferential option to certain types of capital, which is not what you would typically expect from a government that is pro-labour The reality is there's been trem...

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Canada Missing in Action on Religious Freedom

Peter Stockland with Andrew P.W. Bennett

July 26, 2018

Top cabinet ministers from more than 80 countries are in Washington D.C. today planning global action against religious persecution. Rev. Andrew Bennett, Director of the Cardus Religious Freedom Institute, is there and tells Convivium he’s hearing widespread disappointment over Canada’s absentee leadership on the critical issue.

They’ve invited various countries to represent themselves at the foreign minister level for an intensive couple of days of conversation about how we do more than just talk about defending religious freedom They have embedded in the statute different mechanisms within the State Department, and there'...

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Calvary’s Light in Toronto’s Darkness

Daniel Proussalidis

July 25, 2018

Mass speculation fueled by mass confusion has followed Sunday’s horrifying mass shooting in what was once called Toronto the Good. But whatever the ultimate cause, Daniel Proussalidis writes, Christ’s comfort has been made vivid by vigils such as the one held at a small church in the heart of The Danforth district.

But there is hope as long as there are bright sources of light for the city, like Calvary Church and many others Darkness abounds in Toronto – a city known as Toronto the Good in the late 19th century because of the efforts of Mayor William Howland and his supporters to bring about moral reforms ...

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The Old College Try

Edward Tingley

July 24, 2018

With the Supreme Court’s recent affront to Trinity Western University, questions abound about the future of Christian higher education. Edward Tingley, dean of Ottawa’s Augustine College, argues for return to the roots of what philosopher Russell Kirk called “the oldfangled” college.

Such was the rationale for higher education in Canada until that event in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that turned all of this around and changed not simply the landscape of academia but, far more critically, the play of ideas, the health and strength of Canadian society That is, if it is ...

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Exactly Where You Are

Peter Stockland

July 23, 2018

In a world caught up with the noise surrounding one man having his moment in the spotlight, Convivium Publisher Peter Stockland calls us to ease back from the glamour we perceive in everything beyond us – and see the majesty right at our front door.

Few tables were free on the terrasse of Café des Cévennes that hot July Sunday, so naturally we were stuck beside a voice braying in American English about Donald Trump We talk about, hear about, fill our minds and social media feeds with hourly jot and tittle updates about Donald Trump because… bec...

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The Character of Love Fantastic

Travis D. Smith

July 20, 2018

In this excerpt from his new book Superhero Ethics, Travis Smith reveals how the comic book character Mister Fantastic, for all his physical and mental pliability, embodies the ascent to truth through love of family.

Reed’s love for this family rivals his love of truth, and his solicitousness for the rest of humanity is a tertiary concern So, Reed’s being like water suggests a living, direct, and personal correspondence with the source of all that exists—a correspondence that might, in keeping with science under...

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Sounding the Trump of Silence

Raymond J. de Souza

July 19, 2018

In her refreshing reticence around, beside and behind Donald Trump, Father Raymond de Souza writes admiringly, Queen Elizabeth again demonstrated the noble art of saying nothing perfectly.

“For many of us here in Great Britain, the supreme moment of President Donald Trump’s visit came when he attempted to inspect a parade alongside our Queen Unlike the press conferences with the clueless Theresa May or the cunning Vladimir Putin, where they had to work out what they might say after th...

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Tears of Joy in Ukraine

Hannah Marazzi, with Wes Janzen, Kim Janzen

July 17, 2018

As life-long lovers of music Wes and Kim Janzen had built successful careers as directors and performers in Canada. Surprised by the conviction that God was calling them to marry their love of music and mission in the country of Ukraine, the Janzens set off for the adventure of a lifetime. Suddenly, war broke out.

After being in Ukraine for six months out of the year for several years, I knew, without a doubt, that God was calling us here to Ukraine full time because where you see God working is where you need to be C: In 2012, Kim you were appointed Interim Director of Outreach Ministries and Wes, you were a...

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Love Begets Love

July 17, 2018

The stillness of the summer day opens up before you and I, the only sound between us the clicking of cicadas and the cool breeze stirring up the long grass between our feet.

...

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Summer Pavement

July 17, 2018

The smell of hot pavement is its own very particular vehicle in service of memory lane.

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Cracks In the Pavement

July 17, 2018

New life breaks in and the tendrils of the plants and trees bend their way to the sun, and we too reach towards the Son asking, "will you make me disruptively new?"

What is it about new life that causes it to spring up with a new persistence, so powerful that it bursts through stone? Is that why we often step reverently over the roots of trees that inevitably disrupt our concrete jungles, respectful of their disruptive yet hopeful presence in our midst ...

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Striking a Catholic Pose

Shannon Joseph

July 16, 2018

Convivium contributor Shannon Joseph enjoys a long weekend among New York City trendies where she encounters fashion meeting faith at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

And this story has power to inspire new creations like the flashy Met Gala, this incredible fashion collection, and great conversations between patrons On the whole, the collection gave the impression that the Catholic imagination is inspired by a story about a God who loves the world and came into ...

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Homecoming and Heritage

Haley Welch

July 13, 2018

At first glance, North Buxton appears to be a typical town in rural Ontario: a semi-abandoned main thoroughfare, a few side streets, scattered houses, and fields. But, writes Convivium contributor Haley Welch, North Buxton is more than that. It is imbued with a deep history beyond its distinctive founding and the intimacy expected in rural communities.

That dusty rural road leads to the town of North Buxton, and that parade was its annual celebration of “homecoming” – a time for community members near and far to come back and celebrate this special place Lest you think I am overstating the case, consider this: In 2017, Homecoming Weekend was a fou...

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Poland's Perception Problems

Raymond J. de Souza

July 12, 2018

This summer, Convivium Editor-in-Chief Fr. Raymond de Souza's itinerary includes a visit to Auschwitz. Fr. de Souza reflects on how Auschwitz respects and honours vast memories through its exhibitions. On the other hand, he writes, the Polish government is approaching the practice of memory in a different fashion.

The main buildings at Auschwitz tell the story of the camp itself, how it began as a concentration camp for Polish resisters to the Nazi occupation; the most famous of which was Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the Franciscan priest who was killed in August 1941 Earlier this year, Poland’s governing Law and ...

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