For some people of faith, like Colts tackle Braden Smith, religious scrupulosity an OCD disorder that disrupts their lives

Religious scrupulosity — that’s something I had never heard about until I read a story about Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith and his struggle with it.

Religious scrupulosity is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder associated with faith. In particular, it causes those suffering from it to worry about committing sins that will cause God to punish them and send them to hell.

“It’s like every wrong move you make, it’s like smacking (a) ruler against (your) hand,” Smith said of the condemning and judgmental God that loomed large in his mind. “Another bad move like that and you’re out of here.”

Read more about this disorder that afflicts some people of faith, together with comments from a Winnipeg psychologist who has treated people with religious scrupulosity, in my recent Free Press column.

Veteran Vatican reporter shares inside information about the conclave to choose the next pope

What’s really going to happen as the conclave begins Wednesday in Vatican City to decide the next pope of the Roman Catholic Church? 

Nobody knows for sure, of course. But Hendro Munsterman, a veteran Vatican correspondent for Nederlands Dagblad, a Christian newspaper in The Netherlands, has some inside information. 

I met Munsterman last October at the Vatican press office when I was in Rome to cover the Roman Catholic Church’s Synod on Synodality. 

In his conversations with cardinals who will vote to select the next leader to represent 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, he has heard nothing but support for who Pope Francis was a person. 

But privately, some suggested Francis went too fast with his reforms, especially in his efforts to involve the laity in making decisions about the church—and may want to choose someone as pope who might slow things down, as happened following the death of Pope John XXIII during Vatican 2. 

Read my column in the Free Press.

Catholic women respond to death of Pope Francis: “The exclusion of women must be dismantled for the Church to become truly synodal"

It’s been two weeks since Pope Francis died. Accolades and appreciation have been expressed for his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church — all of them well deserved. When he died, it felt like we all lost a friend, even if we weren’t Catholic or even Christians. 

Among those who felt great sadness at his passing were Catholic women’s groups. They expressed appreciation for what he did for them in the Church — but also wished he could have done more. 

Read about how some Catholic women’s organizations responded to the death of Pope Francis in my recent Free Press column.

Lay synod in June in Canada a legacy to Pope Francis

Pope Francis has passed away. But his legacy will live on around the world — and also here in Canada when Roman Catholics will gather in Ontario June 15-18 for a lay synod. 

The synod, the first national event of its kind in Canada, is titled “Journey of Encounter: Pilgrims of Hope Embracing Synodality.” Organized by Concerned Lay Catholics (CLC), it is taking place at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ont. 

The lay synod takes its inspiration from the words of Pope Francis, when he issued his final report to the concluding session of the three-year-long Synod on Synodality in Rome last fall. 

“Pope Francis’s final words to that Synod on Synodality are our beginning,” said Garry Warner, chair of the CLC and one of the lay synod’s organizers. 

Read about the lay synod in my Free Press column.

"There's something ugly in the air." U.S. Mennonite pastor wants to leave for Canada to protect trans child

It’s not only American university professors, scientists, researchers, doctors and nurses who are contemplating moving to Canada because of the political situation in the United States. Clergy are, too. 

That includes “James” (not his real name), a Mennonite pastor in the eastern U.S. 

James is one of a number of American pastors reaching out to Canadian denominations, asking about job openings in Canada. To date, over 50 clergy have reached out to progressive groups like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the United Church of Canada.  

James and his wife have two children—one at college and the other in high school and still at home. They are not thinking about leaving because of their church; that is a positive experience.

“There’s a richness about the church, with the members living out their faith,” he said. “Members are supportive, encouraging, generous and kind.”

For James, it’s because of his youngest child who is trans. 

“I keep thinking about what the world looks like for my child with this new administration,” he said. “All those anti-trans messages. There’s something ugly in the air. People at the highest level of leadership in this country are saying such cruel and dismissive things about people like my child.”

The state the family lives in has good laws to protect LGBTQ+ and trans people. But that could change, he said, adding the way some people in the Trump administration speak about trans people might allow others to say and do awful things to people like his child.

And that is his main concern. “I want they to have a flourishing future,” he said, adding “they don’t feel safe in the U.S. It sounds like Canada would be a better place.”

Since Canadian immigration law has a provision to enable religious workers to more easily immigrate to that country, this makes a move easier for James, who is in conversation with Mennonite Church Canada leaders, including Michael Pahl, executive minister for Mennonite Church Manitoba.

“Since Donald Trump's election last November, we have seen an increase in interest from pastors in the U.S. looking to move to Manitoba,” Pahl said.

For Jeff Friesen, who directs leadership ministries for MC Manitoba, calls from people like James and others indicate some clergy in the U.S. reacting to the political and cultural shift in that country.

“Since January, we have had conversations with American Mennonite church leaders who have pretty consistently shared with us their anxiety about what is happening in the U.S.,” he said.

As for James, right now the family has not made firm plans to leave.

“We ask ourselves if it is worth it to uproot and go,” he said. But then he thinks of how fraught things feel for his child and how unsafe they feel. “Then we know we should go,” he said.

Elbows up! Or, what's an Anabaptist/Mennonite response to Trump's tariff and annexation threats?

Elbows up! That’s a popular Canadian response from hockey to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war on Canada and to his threats of turning the country into the 51st state. But is it a Mennonite/Anabaptist response? If not, what is a Canadian Mennonite/Anabaptist response to Trump’s threats to annex Canada or destroy it economically through tariffs? Is it to only buy Canadian? Or how about a modern-day version of shunning by not going to the U.S.? 

Some Canadian Mennonite church leaders and theologians offer some thoughts in Anabaptist World.

Elizabeth May, Jagmeet Singh on faith and politics

Soon after the election was called, I asked the leaders of the four main political parties in English Canada — Elizabeth May (Green Party), Jagmeet Singh (NDP), Mark Carney (Liberals) and Pierre Poilievre (Conservatives) — some questions related to faith and politics. It was for my faith page column in the Winnipeg Free Press. (I had done something similar during the Manitoba provincial election in 2023.) 

I asked the leaders about their view of faith groups that address social issues in Canada, about foreign aid, freedom of religion (coming out of the pandemic), the expansion of MAiD, about antisemitism and Islamophobia, and how they might support faith-based groups in Ottawa. And I invited them to share about what their faith meant to them. 

Elizabeth May called me right away. The NDP replied later with answers from Jagmeet Singh. The Liberals said they were too busy to respond. And I received no response from the Conservatives at all—not even an acknowledgement of my request. 

Since I didn’t have responses from the two main political parties—the most likely to form the next government—I decided not to publish anything in the Free Press. 

But May and Singh did such good jobs in responding that I felt it wasn’t fair to them not to share their replies. Find them below. 

Elizabeth May, Green Party

 

May said she and the Green Party understand the valuable role faith groups play in addressing social issues in Canada, and they would seek ways to support them as they serve. 

She made it clear the Greens wouldn’t prioritize faith-based groups when it came to government funding, but said they want to ensure there is “a level playing field . . . we understand the critical role they play.” 

When it comes to freedom of religion, May said that it is a charter right for people to “worship as they see fit.” Curtailing religious services during the pandemic was a reasonable response, she said, since the goal was to “protect the health of all Canadians.” 

On the subject of foreign aid, the Greens or completely in favour of reaching the target of 0.7 per cent of GDP set by former Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson, May said, noting the highest it has ever been was in 1992 when Brian Mulroney, a Conservative, was prime minister. 

Since then, it is “shameful and shocking how low it has been,” she said, adding “our goal should be a livable world for all” and that “Canada should shoulder its fair share of the load” when it comes to global poverty and hunger. 

Most Canadians, she noted, think that the amount of money Canada spends on foreign aid is higher than it really is. “Shame on Poilievre for saying he wants to cut it,” she said, adding Canada should not follow the Trump administration in cutting foreign aid. 

“How can we turn our backs on the people of Gaza, Somalia, South Sudan and other countries where people are suffering?” she asked, adding Canada should also return to its historic role of peacekeeping—something “we are still respected for around the world.” 

May and the Greens oppose the expansion of MAiD, expressing special concern for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. “Our focus should be on building the social safety net before expanding MAiD,” she said. 

May said she sympathizes with people who are suffering and see MAiD as the best alternative. “But I am concerned for the disabled community, it’s a very slippery slope,” she said. 

Greens are opposed to all forms of hate, she said, including antisemitism and islamophobia. “There is no space or place for any kind of hatred in Canada,” May said. 

Greens would also be in favour of supporting faith-based groups and making sure they have a voice in Ottawa, May said, noting she is co-chair of the All-Party Interfaith Caucus in Parliament. She wants to hear ideas from Canada’s religious communities about public policy challenges and find ways to support their efforts to contribute to society. 

As for her own faith, May said the teachings of Jesus “are deeply embedded in my life and faith . . . faith has always impacted my life.” 

May went on to say she draws inspiration from Ephesians 3:20: “God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us.” For her, that means “although the odds are daunting, I believe God can do more through me than I imagine.” 

Jagmeet Singh, NDP

In an e-mail, Singh said he recognized the role faith groups play in addressing social issues. “All across Canada, faith communities are showing up,” he said. “Feeding people, housing people, supporting folks through addiction and mental health struggles. They’re doing it with love, compassion, and without asking for anything in return. That’s powerful.” 

The NDP sees the value in that work, “and we respect it deeply,” he said. “We’re committed to supporting faith-based organizations with stable funding, and we’ll make sure federal programs are actually accessible—especially for grassroots groups who are often serving the most vulnerable. We want to work in real partnership, not just shake hands at events. Because when faith communities succeed in lifting people up, all of us are better off.” 

When it comes to religious freedom, Singh said it is “a fundamental right in this country—and I will always defend it. No one should ever be denied the right to practice their faith, gather in worship, or express their beliefs peacefully.” 

He went on to say that, during the pandemic, Canadians made a lot of sacrifices to protect one another, including not gathering. “I know how hard it was for faith communities not to gather, especially during holidays and holy days,” he said. “In the future, we need to make sure public health decisions include meaningful consultation with community leaders—and always reflect the Charter rights that hold us together.” 

The NDP also recognizes the important of foreign aid. “People of faith are often the first to give and the last to ask for anything in return. I’ve seen that generosity first-hand,” Singh said, adding he believes Canada “has a responsibility to be there for others—especially in times of crisis. We support increasing foreign aid and making sure funding is stable, transparent, and accessible for NGOs, including faith-based organizations who do this work from a place of deep moral commitment. We want to make sure those doing the work on the ground—building peace, fighting hunger, responding to disasters—have the resources they need.” 

When it comes to the expansion of MAiD to people experiencing mental illness, Singh said “this is an incredibly serious and sensitive issue,” he said. “For me, it comes down to this: no one should ever be in a position where they consider MAiD because they can’t get the mental health care they need—or because they feel abandoned.” 

The NDP has been clear, he went on to say. “There must be strong safeguards, full access to care, and a system that treats every life with dignity. We need to listen—to people with lived experience, to faith communities, to mental health professionals—and move forward with caution and compassion.” 

Regarding antisemitism, Islamophobia and hate of all kinds, Singh said it is a personal issue for many in Canada—including him. “No one should ever fear going to synagogue, to mosque, to school, or to work because of who they are,” he said, adding the NDP will enact tougher laws against hate crimes, proper funding for security at places of worship and education programs that fight ignorance with understanding. 

“We have to be loud and clear that there’s no room for antisemitism or Islamophobia in this country—and we won’t stay silent when it shows up,” he said. 

When asked if he had anything else to offer about what faith meant to him, Singh—who is a Sikh—said “my faith teaches me that we’re all connected, that our purpose in life is to serve others with love, courage, and humility. There’s a word in Sikhism: seva. It means selfless service. That’s what drives me . . . I believe in standing up for people who’ve been pushed down or left behind. And I carry those values with me every day in how I lead, how I speak, and how I try to show up for people. My faith reminds me that leadership isn’t about power. It’s about service.”