A first for Canada

Canada has its first deaf Catholic priest. Matthew Hysell lost his hearing as a toddler when he contracted meningitis. Raised a Baptist in Michigan, Hysell made the decision to become a priest as a teenager after reading about the priesthood in school. He graduated from City University in New York, then earned a master's in theology from a California program. He next moved to Edmonton to study at Newman Theological College. Hysell was ordained yesterday and is now assigned to St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Parish and will also serve as a parish priest at St. Thomas Church in the nearby community of Mill Woods. Hysell will celebrate mass using sign language and will hear confessions face to face.

Megachurch make close

A Canadian megachurch is facing foreclosure. The CBC has a report on the prosperity teaching that lead to the falter.

Pastor Catches Flack for Haiti Comments

A British Columbia pastor is getting heat for his comments at church this past weekend about the earthquake in Haiti. Justin Dennison told parishioners at Johnston Heights Church in Surrey:

"Haiti is infamous for its voodoo spiritual darkness. I can't help think that maybe God has shaken them, shaken them against the kingdom of darkness."

Dennison says his comments were taken out of context because they came after his church had just raised $65,000 for relief efforts in Haiti. He says he does not think the earthquake was a judgment from God and "I have been linked to Pat Robertson" but "I am not remotely connected to Pat Robertson."

Wafergate

Canada's Prime Minister has been accused of pretending to eat a communion wafter at a Catholic church. Stephen Harper is an Evangelical and the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal started what has been called Wafergate. The paper accused the politician of slipping the wafer into his pocket during the Catholic state funeral of former Governor-General Roméo LeBlanc. But the paper has now admited the story was based on a false rumor. The Telegraph-Journal has retracted the story, printed a front page apology and fired the editor and publisher.

Lutheran Gay Clergy

A Canadian Lutheran church plans to move forward on the ordination of a non-celibate gay man on Friday over objections from the Bishop of the Eastern Synod in Canada. Pastor Dawn Hutchings says she expects dozens of clergy from across the country to join her at the ordination of Lionel Ketola at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket, Ontario. Although the Evangelical Lutheran church require that gay ministers remain celibate – the denomination also has told bishops in the church not to fire anyone who violates the rule.

JI Packer Leaving Church

JI Packer is leaving the Anglican Church over the issue of homosexuality. While the governing body of the Anglican Church in Canada narrowly defeated a motion approving same-sex blessings last year, Packer objects to his diocese and others voting in favor of them. The prominent evangelical theologian is best known for writing Knowing God, a book that has sold more than three million copies. Packer left Britain some 30 years ago to teach at Vancouver's Regent College.

Floor Collapse Aftermath

Three people are still in in serious condition today after the collapse of flooring at a Christian concert Friday night, sending dozens of people to the hospital. Starfield was playing at Central Heights Church in British Columbia when a 600-square-foot area of the floor caved in. Fans jumping up and down fell some 15 feet into the building's basement. Lighting and audio equipment followed after them. Today’s services at the Mennonite church were moved to the Columbia Bible College gym. Starfield has posted a request for prayer be offered on behalf of the injured. Fans have posted remarks in support of those who were hurt on the group's Facebook site. This video was shot right before the floor fell in.