From the editor's desk

Catholic New Times, June 1, 2003 by Ted Schmidt

This edition of CNT is 16 pages. We are caught in a labour dispute between the Toronto Catholic School Board and its elementary teachers and do not know if we will be locked out of our home in St. Paul's school, so we decided to abbreviate this edition and "bulk up" with a 24 page issue for the following edition. Your understanding is appreciated.

Mary Jo Leddy's stimulating talk was attended by a large crowd at St. Michael's College Alumni Hall on May 8. In our second annual Spring Lecture we met many of our friends in the Toronto environs and all were energized by Mary Jo's warning regarding the struggle for Canada's soul. As we did last year after Gregory Baum's lecture, we will publish a precis of this year's talk in the near future. Meanwhile, our front page story by Matt Behrens on refugees Mahmoud Jaballah and Mohamed Mahjoub should give all Canadians pa use to reflect.

John Dirlik's front burner on page three shows once again how important it is to have a independent voice in journalism.

The news coming out of our friend and neighbour the United States is much more than meets the eye, particularly if the eye is only watching CNN. A significant number of Americans are deeply troubled by the unilateralist orientation of the Bush government. See the world note on page 10.

Janet Somerville reappears in our centre spread with her usual in-depth look at the Residential School settlements. This issue focuses on the United Church. See pages 8 and 9.

This issue includes both reflection and commentary on Pope John Paul II's Holy Thursday statement on the Eucharist. See Fathers Lou Trivison and Ron Trojcak's analysis (p. 12) and reader Su-Laine Yeo (letters).

Finally, our deepest thanks for your ongoing generous response to our donation campaign.

Ted Schmidt

editor@catholicnewtimes.org