Catholic news year in review

At the B.C. Catholic. Welcome to my world:

(CCN)--January 2010 begins a prorogued Parliament, the second in roughly a year. Prime Minister Stephen Harper says it is necessary to focus attention on a fragile economy. The prorogation or suspension extends the January winter break until a new Throne Speech and budget in early March.

Opposition parties pound the Conservatives on the treatment of Afghan detainees, even though the House is not in session, arguing the government prorogued Parliament to evade accountability.

The Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti prompts an unprecedented response from both the Canadian government and the Catholic Church, through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) and its Caritas Partners. Canada initially contributes $60 million for emergency aid. Church groups and NGOs arrange an airlift for Haitian orphans. CCODP eventually collects about $20 million from Canadian Catholics to help Haiti.

The Prime Minister and CIDA Minister Bev Oda announce plans to make maternal and child health care in poorer countries a top priority during Canada’s hosting of the G-8 and G-20 in June. Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff insists abortion be included, causing the Archbishop of Toronto and the Bishop of Calgary to call his remarks “astonishing” and “pathetic” respectively.

The Throne Speech in early March mentions “solidarity” in a seeming nod to Catholic social doctrine, but the federal budget is criticized for not going far enough to help the poor. The budget expands the deficit through stimulus spending, in a budget most observers describe as middle-of-the-road.

In late March, Liberal MP Bob Rae’s motion designed to force the government to include abortion in its maternal health initiative goes down to unexpected defeat. The Tories vote en masse against it and several pro-life Liberals stand with them.

CCODP joins coalition of groups urging politicians to support Liberal MP John McKay’s responsible mining bill C-300. The bill, which would help ensure Canadian mining companies operating overseas respect the environment and human rights, coincides with a five-year CCODP campaign on responsible mining.

The debate over euthanasia heats up as Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde’s euthanasia and assisted suicide Bill C-384 wends its way through the House of Commons. Many groups, including Canada’s Catholic bishops intervene against legalizing euthanasia. On April 21, the bill is resoundingly defeated by a 228-59 vote. But Quebec soon launches hearings into euthanasia and assisted suicide.

etc.