Pope Francis called on fans and competitors at the World Cup to celebrate the event as an opportunity to promote dialogue, respect and peace. He also warned against all forms of discrimination on the sidelines, in the stands and on the field: "Let no one become isolated and feel excluded! Watch out! 'No' to segregation, 'no' to racism!"

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will become a stronger advocate for the poor as well as continuing its longstanding charitable work of providing food, furniture and clothing to those in need. "We are recognizing that the idea of giving to those living in poverty is a wonderful short-term solution, but it does not change the situation of those living in poverty," says Peter Ouellette, president of the Western Region of the society.

OTTAWA – After only five hours of debate, the federal government's prostitution bill passed a June 16 second reading vote by 139 to 117, with no support from the New Democratic, Liberal or Green parties. "For the first time in Canadian history, Bill C-36 will amend the Criminal Code and shift the burden of criminality from the sellers to the buyers," MP Joy Smith said in a statement.

The work of forming new Catholics is not just the job of the RCIA team but of the whole parish. That was one key message delivered to RCIA members from across Western Canada by Nick Wagner and his wife Diana Macalintal, founders of TeamRCIA, a California-based ministry that offers a variety of online and in-person training for Church ministers and volunteers.

Praying for peace in the Holy Land alongside leaders of long-antagonistic nations, Pope Francis called on God to act where human efforts had failed, to end what he described as violence inspired by the devil. "More than once we have been on the verge of peace, but the evil one, employing a variety of means, has succeeded in blocking it," the pope said June 8 at an evening ceremony in the Vatican Gardens.

VATICAN CITY – Being a good Christian demands concrete action and deeds, Pope Francis said. And, he said, the "how-to" manual is found in the Beatitudes and the Last Judgment, which spells out the consequences awaiting those who fail to help others in need. Jesus offers a guide to life that is "so simple, but very difficult," the pope said June 9 during his morning Mass.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis urged athletes to live life the same way they play sports: Don't hog the ball, don't fall back on defence and make sure to keep it fun. He also called on policymakers and communities to guarantee all kids have access to sports, education and jobs early on in life, "and I guarantee that there will be no addictions to drugs, alcohol and many other vices."

OTTAWA – Bishop Gary Gordon, bishop of the Yukon for the past eight years, has been appointed the new bishop of Victoria. Gordon, 57, is a native of Burnaby, B.C., and succeeds Bishop Richard Gagnon as bishop of the Victoria Diocese.

The following appointments of priests and deacons in the St. Paul Diocese take effect Aug, 1, unless otherwise indicated.

Father Edmond Croteau is appointed to Sunday ministry in French for the St. Paul Cathedral Parish.

Groups opposed to euthanasia vow to fight Quebec's adoption of An Act on End-of-Life Care that brings Belgium-style euthanasia to the province. The new law, passed by a vote of 94 to 22 on June 5, allows doctors to kill their patients if they request so-called medical aid in dying. It treats euthanasia as health care, which is under provincial jurisdiction, while the Criminal Code, which lists it as culpable homicide, is under federal jurisdiction.