The Quotation of the Week (May 26 -June 1, 2019)

A quotation of Mahatma Gandhi on 'strength comes 
from an indomitable will,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (A light post in a mall parking lot in Scarborough, Toronto: 2018) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (May 19 - 25, 2019)

A quotation of Pope Francis on 'the need for the change 
of ecclesiastical rules and precepts in new 
situations,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa 

Artwork © Jerome D'Costa (Jan. 1, 2019)

EAST YORK CHRONICLE: A Publication of Toronto

East York Chronicle -- a monthly publication of Toronto

This newsmagazine of East York area of Toronto provides news, articles, and views on politics, local communities and events, history, schools, food, restaurants, lifestyle, arts and culture, business, entertainment, sports, and more. 

Email contact: chroniclenews@outlook.com

It's also available online at East York Chronicle

Go, Archie, Go!

How Prince Harry and Duchess Meaghan with their
first-born son Archie will look like in near future

Artworks by Ujjal Peter D'Costa (May 12, 2019)

The Quotation of the Week (May 12 - 18, 2019)

A quotation of Mahatma Gandhi on 'having faith in humanity,'
compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Artwork by Ujjal Peter D'Costa (2019)

Pope Francis Mandates Reporting of Clergy Sex Abuse, Empowers Archbishops Worldwide to Investigate

Pope Francis

Photo courtesy: Conde Nast Traveller

Pope Francis, on May 9, in his Motu Proprio -- termed Vox estis lux mundi [You are the light of the world] -- issued a landmark new decree making it mandatory for priests and Religious (Brothers and nuns) to report incidents of sex abuse or cover-ups to Bishops and superiors, saying, "The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful." This decree comes into effect on June 1 and will initially continue to be effective on an experimental basis for the next three years. 

The decree is divided into 19 articles enumerating the do's and don'ts. 

Each of the Catholic dioceses of the world is to set up clear, accessible, and confidential reporting systems by June 2020.

Priests and superiors of Religious communities are to report all suspicion of abuse by clerics at any level.

Bishops will be directly accountable for sexual abuse and any cover-ups. 

Any sexual abuse or cover-up admitted during the sacrament of confession, will, however, remain exempt from the new law.

From now on, accusers and whistleblowers, for the first time, will receive Church protection. 

A boy or girl will be considered a minor if he or she is under the age of 18. This new age of minority has been raised from 16 to 18 years. The term 'child sex abuse' in the Catholic Church, from now on, will mean the sexual abuse of a boy or girl who is under the age of 18.  

It is also mentioned that victims reporting abuse must be welcomed, listened to and supported by the hierarchy, and necessary spiritual, medical, and psychological assistance be given to them.

The law can be applied retroactively so that priests and nuns can report sexual abuse or cover-up incidents that happened years ago. This will no doubt increase the number of cases dramatically in coming future.

In his reaction, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, said: "We have said for years that priests should follow certain strict rules, so why should bishops and other members of the church hierarchy be exempt?" -- reports the Guardian.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Vatican's top sex crimes investigator, said: "Pople must know that bishops are at the service of the people. They are not above the law, and if they do wrong, they must be reported."

Cardinal DiNardo, the head of the U.S. Bishops' Conference welcomed the new decree and said that the edict was a "blessing that will empower the church everywhere to bring predators to justice no matter what rank they hold in the church."

For further details, kindly read the following:

• New norms for the whole Church against those who abuse or cover up (May 9, 2019)
• Pope Francis issues new law to force clergy to report sex abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Pope decrees bishops must be directly accountable for sex abuse or cover-ups (May 9, 2019)
• Pope Francis mandates clergy abuse reporting worldwide, empowers archbishops to do investigations (May 9, 2019)
• Pope issues law to force priests and nuns to report sexual abuse (All Catholic priests and nuns will be required to report abuse and cover-ups by superiors) (May 9, 2019)
• Pope issues global standards for reporting, investigating clergy abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Pope Issues First Rules for Catholic Church Worldwide to Report Sex Abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Vatican issues norms for reports of abuse of minors, seminarians, and religious (May 9, 2019)
• Pope Decrees First Global Rules for Reporting Abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Pope issues new law requiring priests, nuns to report clergy sex abuse, cover-ups (Law offers protections for whistleblowers, but does not require them to report to police) (May 9, 2019)
• Pope's new norms on sex abuse leave power in hands of bishops (May 9, 2019)
• Pope's new app for fighting abuse is glitzy, but what about the OS? (May 9, 2019)
• Pope Francis issues law forcing clergy to report sexual abuse (May 9, 2019)
• New rules on abuse mark a major step forward (May 9, 2019)
• [Video] Pope Francis sets new rules to report sexual abuse (May 9, 2019)
• [Video] Meeting point on Pope Francis' Motu proprio regarding the fight against abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Catholic leaders welcome Pope Francis' new rules on reporting sex abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Apostolic letter issued Motu Proprio by the Supreme Pontiff Francis: Vos estis lux mundi [You are the light of the world] (Vatican: May 7, 2019) [Full Text]
• Archbishop Scicluna: 'How I would explain the Motu proprio to my flock' (May 9, 2019)
• Pope Francis' new sex abuse rules are a revolution for the Catholic Church (May 10, 2019)
• President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Issues Statement on Pope Francis' Motu Proprio Ordering Worldwide Response to the Evil of Sexual Abuse (May 9, 2019)
• Analysis: How the new norms to tackle abuse will work (May 9, 2019)
• The success of Pope Francis' new sex abuse reporting rules depends on enforcement (May 10, 2019)
• Critics Say Papal Decree On Clergy Abuse Should Include Law Enforcement (May 10, 2019)
• Reactions to new church abuse laws: a good step, but more are needed (May 10, 2019)
• Pope Francis Stops Hiding From the Church's Sexual-Abuse Epidemic (May 12, 2019)

It is noteworthy that Pope Francis, in April this year, issued his first Motu Proprio decree for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults in the Vatican City State and its embassies abroad.  

(Updated on May 13, 2019)

Conservative Catholic Clergy and Scholars Accuse Pope Francis of Heresy

Pope Francis

Photo courtesy: biography.com/

A 20-page letter, signed by a group of conservative Catholic priests and scholars, accuses Pope Francis of heresy. This is the latest of the long series of efforts of the conservatives to disgrace the pope who is trying to bring about reforms in the light of the Second Vatican Council and a new attitude of mercy and forgiveness in the Church.

The letter, addressed to all the Catholic bishops of the world, tries to "accuse Pope Francis of the canonical delict [a violation of the law] of heresy, and second, to request that you take the steps necessary to deal with the grave situation of a heretical pope."

The reaction to this accusation resulted in both some support for and opposition to the accusation of heresy.

To learn more, kindly read the following:

• Prominent clergy, scholars accuse Pope Francis of heresy in open letter (April 30, 2019)
• Conservatives want Catholic bishops to denounce pope as heretic (May 1, 2019)
• Letter signed by more than 1,500 accuses Pope Francis of the 'canonical delict of heresy' (May 1, 2019)
• Open letter to the bishops of the Catholic Church (Easter Week, 2019) [Full Text]
• Conservative Catholic group wants Pope Francis denounced as a heretic (May 1, 2019)
• Letter from 19 theologians accuses Pope Francis of heresy (May 1, 2019)
• Scholars and priests accuse Pope of heresy (May 1, 2019)
• Pope Benedict's secretary: He who works to 'invent new Church ... abuses his spiritual authority' [Archbishop Georg Ganswein, personal secretary to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI](May 1, 2019)
• Critics of Pope Francis level new accusation of 'heresy' (May 1, 2019)
• Theologians accuse pope of heresy (May 1, 2019)
• Analysis: Serious and unserious allegations of papal heresy (May 2, 2019)
• Catholic philosopher: Why I signed the open letter accusing Pope Francis of heresy (May 2, 2019)
• Analysis: Serious and unserious allegations of papal heresy (May 3, 2019)
• Heresy accusation letter, deconstructed (May 3, 2019)

Jean Vanier, Founder of the L'Arche Communities, Dies

Jean Vanier, founder of the L'Arche communities

Photo courtesy: och.fr/

Jean Vanier, a Canadian Catholic philosopher, theologian, and humanitarian-cum-philanthropist, died yesterday, May 7, in Paris, of the thyroid cancer at the ripe age of 90. He was the most ardent advocate for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He was also the founder of the L'Arche (the ark) communities, where these disabled people live and work in dignity, respect, and love.

Physically a giant of a man with a 6-foot-and-4-inch frame, his heart was full of sympathy, empathy, and love for these disadvantaged people. As a result, he expanded his work of service to these people in 37 countries of the world in different continents.

According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, he wrote 30 books, received numerous awards and honours, was named a Companion of the Order of Canada by the Canadian government, was given the Legion of Honour award in France, and the Templeton Prize in England.

For more on him and his work, please read the following:

• L'Arche founder Jean Vanier dies at 90 (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier, Canadian champion of the developmentally disabled, dead at 90 (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier, Canadian crusader for developmentally disabled, dies (May 7, 2019)
• L'Arche founder Jean Vanier established the unique value of an intellectually disabled life (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier: Founder of L'Arche dies aged 90 (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier (Official Website)
• L'Arche International
• Jean Vanier (Wikipedia)
• The Spirit of Love and Service (An article, by Jean Vanier, published in the September 1997 issue of the monthly 'Liguorian' magazine, U.S.A.)
• A unique quotation of Jean Vanier on loving people
• Quotations of Jean Vanier
• Photos of Jean Vanier
• Videos on Jean Vanier

The Quotation of the Week (May 5 - 11, 2019)

A quotation of Kahlil [Khalil] Gibran on 'people of all religions
share the same spirit,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (Jam'e Abu Bakr Siddique mosque on 2665 Lawrence Avenue East, 

Scarborough, Toronto) © Jerome D'Costa (2018)

The Signs of the Time

A public message board on University Avenue, Toronto

Photo © Jerome D'Costa (April 2019)