Raymond J. de Souza
Father Raymond J. de Souza is a Cardus Senior Fellow, the founding Editor of Convivium, chaplain at Newman House (the Roman Catholic centre at Queen's University), and a parish priest, in addition to writing for the National Post and The Catholic Register.
Bio last updated January 12th, 2022.
Articles by Raymond J. de Souza
Glorious and Free Seminar
By Raymond J. de Souza and Edward Burroughs
June 28, 2017
In the last week of May, 13 young Catholics gathered together at a parish on Wolfe Island for a seven-day seminar on Catholicism in our common life.
Moreover, while our Glorious and Free Seminar was explicitly aimed at Catholic participants, its success points to similar possibilities for broader audiences, especially, I hope, the young people who follow our activities at Convivium In the last week of May I welcomed 13 young Catholics to my parish on Wolfe Island for a seminar on Catholicism in our common life
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Beaming At The Vatican
Raymond J. de Souza with Edward Burroughs
June 15, 2017
Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reports on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent visit to the Vatican, delivering an insightful reflection on judgement, truth, and values.
Will Trudeau read Laudato Si’? Pope Francis is a pastor, not a public policy analyst, and the keenest insights of the encyclical are those which view the environment from an anthropological lens, one focused on the human person The imperial imposition of “our values” over the conventions and beliefs...
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Islam & Jerusalem
Raymond J. de Souza
June 9, 2017
Today Editor In Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza takes Convivium readers back to the Six Day War of 1967 that occurred this week in June 50 years ago.
Can what was lost after the First World War be reclaimed – a caliphate that will unite Muslims and restore Islamic sovereignty over Jerusalem? And it is not only about Jerusalem and Israel The creation of the State of Israel by the United Nations after World War II was a consequence in part of Zioni...
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Closing The Apology Book
Raymond J. de Souza
May 30, 2017
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Pope Francis and asked him to offer the formal apology recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Father Raymond J. de Souza commented on that recommendation on December 22, 2015 in the National Post. Convivium reprints it below.
To ignore the 2009 apology is a shame, for on that occasion Fontaine delivered a magnificent, moving and magnanimous address to the pope that stands as a model for thinking about the relationship of the Catholic Church to aboriginal Canadians Yet there was apparently some unfinished business on th...
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Taking Steps For Life
Raymond J. de Souza
May 26, 2017
In his reflection following this year's March for Life, Fr. Raymond de Souza explores the differences of opinion in the pro-life community: between a gradual versus "all-or-nothing" approach to pro-life legislation.
The annual March for Life is organized by Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), which has held for many years a position against what one might call a gradual approach to pro-life legislation That it would be so clearly stated at an event hosted by Campaign Life Coalition though is noteworthy, as seen in t...
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A Conversation with David Johnston
Raymond J. de Souza and David Johnston
May 19, 2017
At the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Governor-General David Johnston gave profoundly moving remarks about the power of religious faith as exemplified by Queen Elizabeth, and in his own life. We're seeking a transcript for Convivium readers, but for this Victoria Day weekend we're reprising Editor-in-Chief Father Raymond de Souza's 2013 interview with the Queen's representative in Canada..
It’s particularly important for a country such as Canada that’s a middle power in the world, that doesn’t see all things through the barrel of a gun or a particular balance of trade, to strengthen those relationships so they work very well Because we’re so blessed in Canada, we have a tendency to co...
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Suffering For Life
Raymond J. de Souza
May 11, 2017
Editor in Chief of Convivum Father Raymond J. de Souza reports on the National March for Life that will take place in Ottawa today touching on the meaning of suffering and the importance of upholding the sanctity of life.
Hence their right to life is compromised by premature suicide and, amazing to behold, the right to life therefore includes a right to assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia Each religious believer and, for that matter, any person who offers a philosophy of life must confront the reality of suffer...
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Baptism and Full Communion
Raymond J. de Souza
May 4, 2017
Convivium Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on a moment of unity during Pope Francis' visit to Egypt last week that received relatively little attention, but is certainly a highlight.
In obedience to the work of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies the Church, keeps her throughout the ages, and leads her to full unity – that unity for which Jesus Christ prayed: Today we, Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II, in order to please the heart of the Lord Jesus, as well as that of our sons and ...
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Emptied Out of Egypt
Raymond J. de Souza
April 27, 2017
Convivium Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the significance of Pope Francis and Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantinople, addressing a peace conference hosted by the Al-Azhar mosque in Egypt tomorrow.
It is not a long way from the Nile River delta to the hills overlooking the Jordan River valley, but the empty tomb is the definitive rejection of all that is represented by the pyramids of ancient Egypt More than 15 years ago, after a visit to Egypt, I reflected on the contrast between the pyramids...
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Time To End The Weekend
Raymond J. de Souza
April 20, 2017
Even the French are now confortable saying le weekend, but for Convivium’s editor-in-chief the “w” word itself is the beginning of the end.
The disciples of Christ, however, are asked to avoid any confusion between the celebration of Sunday, which should truly be a way of keeping the Lord’s Day holy, and the “weekend,” understood as a time of simple rest and relaxation Easter above all should remind us that Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath)...
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The Empty Tomb
Raymond J. de Souza
April 13, 2017
Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the power of the empty tomb as we head into Easter weekend.
Last month, the recent restoration of the Edicule – the chapel built over the burial place of Christ and locus of the Resurrection – was completed Its people knew that all that really lasts is the tomb, so they set about building grand tombs stuffed full of all that a dead man awaiting life could po...
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Tiger’s Twisting Moral Tale
Raymond J. de Souza
April 7, 2017
Editor in Chief, Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the Masters and the legacy of Tiger Woods.
The other news is that due to chronic back injuries Tiger Woods is not playing this year at Augusta, a tournament he won four times The death last fall of Arnold Palmer showed that no man is bigger than the game itself, but also a reminder that the legendary status that Palmer achieved, a sort of cu...
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Mea Maxima Masculinity Culpa
Raymond J. de Souza
March 30, 2017
Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the Man Up Against Violence Week occurring at the University of Regina, socialized hypermasculinity, and the true nature of confession.
I doubt that Blessed Pier Giorgio will figure much in the Man Up Against Violence Week, but it is true that men like Frassati are not violent It’s Man Up Against Violence Week at the University of Regina, one of those eminently respectable initiatives sponsored by labour unions, aboriginal leaders, ...
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Post-Christian Mobs of Yobs
Raymond J. de Souza
March 23, 2017
On the heels of a full week, Editor in Chief Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the violence in both London, England and London, Ontario, St. Patrick's Day, and the release of Rod Dreher’s The Benedict Option.
Patrick’s Day violence seems rather a major step down from that Patrick’s Day tracing the development of Fenianism – extreme Irish nationalism – and how it was defeated as a force in Canada Patrick’s Day has become, the great Christian publishing event of the season took place, with the long-awaited...
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Breitbart Today. Baptists Tomorrow?
Raymond J. de Souza
March 16, 2017
What is the relationship between morality and commerce? Editor-in-Chief Father Raymond de Souza on Shopify, Breitbart, free speech, and the importance of standards.
Lütke appeals to an empty relativism: If we had a standard, whose standard would apply? The obvious answer is the standards of Shopify Indeed, Lütke’s first argument about commerce being an arena of liberty underscores the importance of commercial choices, and therefore the moral responsibility of t...
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George Vanier: The Best of Us
Raymond J. de Souza
March 10, 2017
Editor in Chief Father Raymond J de Souza writes a profound tribute to one of Canada's greatest citizens, General Georges Philias Vanier, Canada’s 19th Governor General.
Heroic solder, military amputee, war-time diplomat, passionate defender of Canadian unity, a courteous gentleman, amateur political philosopher, student of theology, loving husband and successful father, devoutly religious – can any other figure be so easily proposed as a model for Canadians today? ...
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Reformation Thoughts in Rome
Raymond J. de Souza
March 2, 2017
Father Raymond de Souza reflects on the Reformation as an opportunity for reflection.
Peter’s – the baldachino over the main altar, itself built over Peter’s tomb, and the Chair of St de Souza for his ordination as a deacon in October 2001, which took place at the Altar of the Chair in St Studying Bernini’s “homily in bronze” teaches us that the Successor of Peter is a source of unit...
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Launching Questions
Raymond J. de Souza
February 10, 2017
Editor in Chief Father Raymond J de Souza reflects on the launch of Convivium as an online publication and examines the matter of multiple answers, and questions.
Taking up Bennett’s point, Peter thought an important part of the Quebec mosque shooting was that those killed in Sainte-Foy were precisely flourishing, being fully human, at their time of prayer But only 10 days before our event, the massacre at the Sainte-Foy mosque took place ...
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Who Are We?
Raymond J. de Souza
February 3, 2017
Editor in Chief Father Raymond J de Souza delivers a moving reflection on the mosque murder that occurred earlier this week in Quebec City and examines the corresponding themes of solidarity and identity this tragedy asks us to consider.
Je suis Charlie was the favoured way to express solidarity with the journalists killed ...
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Grouching Miser, Hidden Dragon
Raymond J. de Souza
January 26, 2017
Doing well in business, from both a Christian and financial point of view, ought to include doing good. How does Kevin O'Leary shape up?
“After 30 years of being an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that business is about people Then, in an insightful and sympathetic passage, John Paul II defines a business as a personal reality before it is a commercial one Last week’s entry of businessman Kevin O’Leary into the leadership race for the Con...
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Empathy
Raymond J. de Souza
January 19, 2017
Father Raymond J de Souza takes a look at empathy in the broader context of today's entertainment industry and socio-political sphere.
Donald Trump has been in show business most of his adult life At first the show was the business of Manhattan real estate, from which he quickly moved to the business of ostentatious luxury living, onward to the business of reality television and finally to elected politics Meryl Streep, receiving a...
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Re-evaluating Russia
Raymond J. de Souza
January 12, 2017
Father Raymond J de Souza delivers an analysis of Prime Minister Trudeau's promotion of Chrystia Freeland to foreign minister and Russia's position on the world stage.
Should the Trump administration seek to normalize Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Canada will not follow under Freeland On Russia, Freeland should amplify Canada’s voice which, depending on Trump’s direction, may be urgently needed ...
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When Mr. Churchill Changed Us
Raymond J. de Souza
January 5, 2017
Father Raymond J. de Souza reflects on the legacy of Winston Churchill and reminds Canadians of his powerful address delivered on our nation's 75th anniversary.
Churchill’s stay at the White House is the occasion of some of the more famous stories about him – the instructions to the White House butler to have a tumbler or two of sherry ready before breakfast, brandy before lunch and champagne in the evening, and his declaration to FDR, upon discovering a na...
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Wonder Woman
Raymond J. de Souza
December 22, 2016
Patrick’s have observed that behind the high altar, in the apse chapel, is a delicate statue of Mary, refined and serene, with the Lady carrying in her hand the entire world as a royal orb And this entire salvific plan of God was foreseen to include the free consent of the virgin of Nazareth Back in...