With Rome’s blessing, Switzerland’s Bishop Charles Morerod appoints lay people to be his regional “vicars”

Diocese in Switzerland becomes a "laboratory" for lay leadership: A small ecclesial revolution is currently taking place in the Catholic Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg (LGF) in Switzerland. But it likely would not have come about so soon without COVID-19 as a detonator."The pandemic has precipitated a situation that I expected to see in 20 or 30 years: empty churches, to which many of the faithful do not return, and a Catholicism that often no longer 'tells' people anything," explains Bishop Charles Morerod, leader of this mostly Francophone diocese of just over 700,000 members.

MUST READ: When a priest is unchaste, his priestly work becomes barren. Our silence isn’t doing these men any favors anymore. The solution is simple...

%u2018Pride%20and%20Prejudice%2C%u2019%20Msgr.%20Burrill%20and%20Spiritual%20Fruitfulness%3A%20Let%20the%20Light%20Shine%20in%20the%20Darkness%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterGRESS: The recent unsavory revelations about Msgr. Jeffery Burrill and his resignation as general secretary from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have led to much hand wringing about privacy, tabloid tactics and distracting allegations, despite the legal avenues used to expose him. There seems to be precious little discussion about the spiritual cost to the Body of Christ...

The Pope’s motu proprio places a new burden on bishops — particularly on Cardinal Gregory

Pope%20Francis%u2019%20Motu%20Proprio%20Places%20New%20Burden%20on%20Bishops%2C%20Particularly%20on%20Cardinal%20Gregory%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDESOUZA: Being a bishop is not easy. Being the Pope’s man in Washington, D.C., is more difficult still. And the recent liturgical changes have added to the challenges. Just ask Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who in June took the lead in attempting to delay the U.S. bishops’ discussion of a document on the Holy Eucharist...

How to measure success in a parish

How To Measure Success In A Parish - Catholic Missionary Disciples - College Station, TXLEJEUNE: When I was in college, I took several semesters of archery. I loved shooting arrows at targets, but what ultimately won me over was the nature of archery; you immediately know how you are doing, based on where you hit the target. Still, there was one time that I hit the bulls eye and yet I scored a zero, because I was aiming at the wrong target...

The Pillar stories do raise questions — but not about journalistic ethics

The%20Pillar%20stories%20do%20raise%20questions%u2014but%20not%20about%20journalistic%20ethics%20%7C%20Catholic%20CultureLAWLER: Journalistic ethics: That’s not a topic often discussed by Catholic media outlets, and for two good reasons. First, most Catholic media outlets are heavily subsidized, and therefore reliant on the goodwill of their sponsors. A diocesan newspaper, for instance, is reporting on the institution that pays its bills. There’s a conflict of interest there—albeit one so obvious that it doesn’t really require disclosure.

Polynesia's master voyagers who navigate by nature

Polynesia's master voyagers who navigate by nature - BBC Travel: Ancient Polynesians settled the Pacific islands through the sacred art of wayfinding. Today, navigators sail thousands of miles, without instruments, to preserve the tradition.

A grizzly bear terrorized a man for days in Alaska. The Coast Guard saw his SOS...

A Grizzly Bear Terrorized a Man for Days in Alaska. The Coast Guard Saw His SOS. - The New York Times: He was sleep-deprived and nearly out of ammunition, alone in the wilderness of Alaska. Well, not really alone. For several nights in a row, the man had fended off the tenacious advances of a grizzly bear that had attacked him a few days earlier at a mining camp some 40 miles outside Nome.

The bishops, Donatism, and President Biden

The bishops, Donatism, and President Biden - Denver CatholicWEIGEL: In an article first posted at Commonweal and republished on July 7 in La Croix International, Professor John Thiel of Fairfield University, while criticizing the U.S. bishops’ decision to prepare a teaching document on Eucharistic coherence and integrity in the Church, performed the not-inconsiderable feat of striking out four times (swinging).

New podcast: What could go wrong? NYTimes looks at Facebook’s religious ambitions

New%20podcast%3A%20What%20could%20go%20wrong%3F%20NYTimes%20looks%20at%20Facebook%27s%20religious%20ambitions%20%u2014%20GetReligionMATTINGLY: Truth be told, I am not prone to flashbacks — even though I did come of age in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Anyway, I had a big flashback recently while reading a very interesting New York Times feature that ran with this headline: “Facebook’s Next Target: The Religious Experience.” In this case, the subhead is also crucial...

Two Weeks After Pope Francis’s Latin Mass Restrictions, U.S. Bishops Continue to Respond

Two%20Weeks%20After%20Pope%20Francis%u2019s%20Latin%20Mass%20Restrictions%2C%20US%20Bishops%20Continue%20to%20Respond%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: Two weeks after Pope Francis issued his motu proprio restricting the use of traditional liturgies, bishops throughout the United States have continued to address the impact the letter will have on their respective dioceses.

Disney’s ‘Jungle Cruise’ is an underwhelming ride to nowhere

SDG%20Reviews%20%u2018Jungle%20Cruise%u2019%3A%20An%20Underwhelming%20Ride%20to%20Nowhere%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterGREYDANUS: There’s a back story involving Spanish conquistadors cursed with immortality by wronged natives. A swaggering captain with a dark past who is both more and less than he seems. There’s magic involving the rays of the moon, but also a quest for a mythical source of life deep in the jungle and a magic MacGuffin that points the way. We have supernatural antagonists whose deteriorating bodies have assumed...

Disgraced Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Criminally Charged with Sexual Assault of a Minor

Disgraced Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Criminally Charged with Sexual Assault of a Minor| National Catholic Register: Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has reportedly been charged with sexual assault of a teenage boy, a crime alleged to have occurred in the 1970s.

In 1974, Archbishop Sheen prophetically warned of a coming crisis in Christendom

Archbishop%20Sheen%u2019s%20Warning%20of%20a%20Crisis%20in%20Christendom%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPRONECHEN: “First of all, we are at the end of Christendom,” Archbishop Fulton Sheen solemnly said during a television show in 1974. “Now not Christianity, not the Church. Remember what I am saying.” Then he defined what he meant. “Christendom is economic, political, social life as inspired by Christian principles. That is ending — we’ve seen it die. Look at the symptoms: the breakup of the family, divorce, abortion, immorality, general dishonesty.”

Traditionis Custodes: Catholic liturgical tradition comes in many forms, united in one mystery of Christ

Liturgical Tradition Comes in Many Forms, United in One Mystery of Christ| National Catholic RegisterCLARK: Some of my earliest and happiest memories are those of my mother taking me to weekday liturgies at the tiny Byzantine Catholic parish of Saint John Chrysostom in Columbus, Ohio. Though the entire family attended liturgy together on Sundays, it was on weekdays that my mom was able to quietly teach me what was going on — what was taking place at each part of the liturgy.

St. Mary of Bethany — she has chosen the better part

St.%20Mary%20of%20Bethany%20%u2014%20She%20Has%20Chosen%20the%20Better%20Part%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDOYLE: Keeping the various Marys of the Bible straight can be a challenge. For centuries, St. Mary of Bethany was considered by many to be the same as Mary Magdalene. Deeper study and consideration have prompted most now to consider them to be two separate women. Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus of the town of Bethany, just a few miles away from Jerusalem.

Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sexually assaulting teenager in 1970s

Defrocked cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sexually assaulting teenager in 1970s - The Boston Globe: Defrocked former cardinal Theodore McCarrick was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy during a wedding reception at Wellesley College in the 1970s, making him the highest-ranking Roman Catholic official in the United States to face criminal charges in the clergy sexual abuse scandal.

Cardinal Gregory Reportedly Withdraws Permission for Traditional Latin Mass at National Shrine

Cardinal Gregory Reportedly Withdraws Permission for Tridentine Mass at National Shrine| National Catholic Register: Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington has reportedly withdrawn permission for a solemn pontifical Mass that was to be offered Aug. 14 in Washington, D.C. A pontifical Mass is celebrated by a bishop in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. The Mass, scheduled for the vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption, was to be offered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Dutch bishop calls ‘Traditionis Custodes’ a ‘declaration of war’

%u2018Traditionis%20Custodes%u2019%20Appears%20to%20be%20a%20%u2018Declaration%20of%20War%u2019%20Says%20Dutch%20Catholic%20Bishop%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: A Dutch Catholic bishop has launched a strongly worded attack on Pope Francis’ motu proprio restricting Traditional Latin Masses, saying that the document seemed to be a “declaration of war.”

Landmark ‘London Property’ Trial Begins at the Vatican — Then Gets Adjourned Until October

Vatican%u2019s%20%u2018London%20Property%u2019%20Trial%20Adjourned%20Until%20October%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPENTIN: A landmark trial relating to a London property deal that inflicted massive losses on the Holy See has been adjourned until Oct. 5, after the Vatican Tribunal upheld objections raised by the defense. The trial of 10 defendants, including former Deputy Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Becciù, involves accusations of embezzlement, abuse of office and fraud.

“Distraction?” Using euphemisms like this to describe grave misconduct reduces our moral authority elsewhere

%u201CDistractions%u201D%20and%20Priestly%20Fidelity%20%7C%20Matthew%20SchneiderSCHNEIDER: One line from the USCCB’s statement on Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill’s resignation has bothered me: they state he is resigning “in order to avoid becoming a distraction.” Fidelity to your priestly vows seems much more than a “distraction” — it’s an important aspect of being a priest and leading as a priest in the Church. We should see celibacy as more than a “distraction.” The statement stated...

Bigger than Burrill and Newark: Hookup app signals from ‘at least 32 mobile devices’ publicly broadcast inside Vatican walls

Location-based apps pose security risk for Holy See - by The Pillar - The Pillar: The use of location-based hookup apps by officials or employees of Church institutions could present serious security problems for the Church, even at the level of the Holy See’s diplomatic and international relations. The use of such apps within the Vatican City State could be a point of vulnerability in the Holy See’s efforts to defend itself from cyberattacks and other intelligence-gathering exercises in recent years.

We don’t just have a history of abuse of children in the Church; we may have a subculture of sexually active priests. So we all need to pray...

Our priests need our prayers - Our Sunday VisitorLOPEZ: After reading that Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, resigned because it was reported that he was using an app for sex hookups with men, one of my first reactions was to realize that I haven’t been praying enough for the purity of priests. Would you join me in doing so?

The Cardinal, the Brokers and the Lady: Vatican fraud trial features an interesting cast of characters

Vatican fraud trial includes interesting cast of charactersSANMARTIN: Starting today, a historic fraud trial against an array of people will begin in a modified courtroom in the Vatican Museums. The list of those being tried by the Vatican criminal court include a once powerful cardinal, an alleged intelligence analyst who used Vatican money to buy high-end handbags. and the man once tasked with putting the Vatican on Europe’s “white list” for financial propriety.

Benedict XVI Laments Lack of Faith Within Church Institutions in Germany

Benedict XVI Laments Lack of Faith Within Church Institutions in Germany| National Catholic Register: Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has expressed concern about the lack of faith within Church institutions in Germany. The retired pope made the comments in a written conversation in the August issue of the German magazine Herder Korrespondenz, marking the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.

Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across U.S. — going from 5% to 11% of all families, and from 3% to 16% of black families

Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across US: Although the pandemic disrupted family life across the U.S. since taking hold in spring 2020, some parents are grateful for one consequence: They’re now opting to homeschool their children, even as schools plan to resume in-person classes.

Our responsibility is to preserve the memory of the Church

Our responsibility is to preserve the memory of the Church | Knowing Is DoingTORRE: The late Cardinal Francis George once commented that we need to be precise in our education. What he meant by precision is both the transmission and articulation of the Catholic faith in a clear cogent manner so that it does not deviate from the teachings of Jesus Christ...

Be Catholic to save the world by grace! Some words of encouragement from the early Church

Be Catholic to Save the World by Grace! Some Words of Encouragement from the Early Church - Community in MissionPOPE: There are some who would have the Church step back to avoid persecution or giving offense. Perhaps there are assets like buildings and land to protect. And maybe some rapprochement with the world will attract more members. Or so the thinking goes. But a study of earlier periods of persecution reveals a different plan for the way forward: confidence, courage, boldness, and love — even for our enemies...

On Tuesday, Vatican trial opens into financial scandal rocking the papacy

Vatican trial opens into financial scandal rocking papacy: A cardinal who allegedly induced an underling to lie to prosecutors. Brokers and lawyers who pulled a fast one over the Vatican No. 2 to get him to approve a disastrous real estate deal. A self-styled intelligence analyst who bought Prada and Louis Vuitton items with the Vatican money that she was supposed to send to rebels holding a Catholic nun hostage.

My secret Catholic ancestor

My Secret Catholic Ancestor | Fr. Dwight LongeneckerLONGENECKER: Today I am remembering my father’s Great Aunt Anne. My whole family, on both sides, are blessed with a rich, godly Protestant faith. They were German, Swiss, Danish and English Lutherans, Brethren and Mennonites. In my grandparents generation they had left the mainline Protestant denominations to join independent Bible/Baptist churches.

The Dobbs Supreme Court case can help us see the cruelty that is abortion

Abortion: Dobbs Supreme Court Case Help Us See Euphemisms & Lies | National ReviewLOPEZ: Is the Supreme Court going to overrule Roe v. Wade? That’s the question raised by the abortion case before the Court in the fall. “Roe and Casey are egregiously wrong,” the attorney general of Mississippi, Lynn Fitch, writes in her brief for Dobbs...

Vatican shows $78 million budget deficit, releases report on investments

Vatican shows $78 million budget deficit, releases report on investments | News Headlines | Catholic Culture: The Vatican reported a deficit of €66.3 million ($78.29 million) for 2020, in balance sheets made public on Saturday, July 24. At the same time the Vatican also— for the first time— provided a full balance sheet for the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), the body that handles investments and functions as the treasury for the Holy See.

St. Anne is our grandmother in Heaven

St. Anne Is Our Grandmother In Heaven| National Catholic RegisterARMSTRONG: Not every earthly grandmother is necessarily a doting one, but the stereotype is well deserved. Speaking as a grandmother, it’s easy to adore the next generation of these precious children of God. St. Anne bore the Immaculate Conception in her womb. She is the grandmother that God chose for his Son so imagine the power of her prayers...

How can I discern God’s will?

How%20Can%20I%20Discern%20God%u2019s%20Will%3F%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterBRUGGER: This question bears upon what I consider the most important teaching of moral theology to come out of the Second Vatican Council, the doctrine of personal vocation. It is related to the better-known Council doctrine of the universal call to holiness of all the faithful. Vatican II teaches that holiness...

What do you say when kids ask about dinosaurs?

What Do You Say When Kids Ask About Dinosaurs?| National Catholic RegisterTRASANCOS: Suppose you catechize your children properly and teach them all about Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden and original sin. Suppose you sit on the sofa one Sunday evening, read the Bible with them and explain how God created all of the plants and animals. On Monday morning, they return to their science classes and learn about fossils and dinosaurs...

Small sins bring great curses; small offerings bring great blessings. So do not doubt that your humble, ordinary, everyday faithfulness to Christ is doing more good than you know...

Value Your Faithful Offerings | Parishable ItemsFELTES: I’d like to share with you an unusual thought experiment, then a couple of experiences from the real world, and finally a gospel reflection to encourage you in your life with Jesus Christ. Imagine if you woke up on Monday morning and all of your shoes were missing; your dress shoes, sneakers, sandals, and slippers...

The strange conversion of Wallace Stevens

The Strange Conversion of Wallace Stevens - The Catholic ThingROYAL: As things slow for summer, I’ve been back at writing the sequel to my book A Deeper Vision. That work dealt with the modern Catholic intellectual tradition, mostly outside of America. I’ve already written several hundred pages of the second volume, which will survey American philosophers, theologians, historians, writers, and artists with a Catholic connection...

What are your five loaves and two fishes? A homily for the 17th Sunday of the Year

What Are Your Five Loaves and Two Fishes? A Homily for the 17th Sunday of the Year - Community in MissionPOPE: We have in this Sunday’s Gospel the very familiar miracle of the loaves and the fishes. One is tempted to say, “Oh, that one ...” and then tune out, but it contains a personal appeal directly from the Lord’s lips to our ears: “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”

Pope Francis on Grandparents’ Day: Elderly Are Not ‘Leftovers From Life’

Pope%20Francis%20on%20Grandparents%u2019%20Day%3A%20Elderly%20Are%20Not%20%u2018Leftovers%20From%20Life%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: On the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis said he is worried about how an individualistic society treats its older members, and he urged young people to give them love and attention. Pope Francis’ homily was read during a Mass for around 2,500 elderly people and grandparents, together with their children and grandchildren, held in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Is Black Widow Catholic in the MCU?

Is Black Widow Catholic in the MCU? - Voyage Comics & PublishingKOSLOSKI: Natasha Romanoff (aka “Black Widow”), is a curious character in the MCU. She has a complicated past, with a “ledger” dripping with blood. It’s a past she wants to forget, but it relentlessly haunts her until she confronts it head-on in the standalone movie, Black Widow. Interestingly, she has also proven to be one of the more compassionate heroes and the one who sacrificed her life for the fate of the world in Endgame.

After six surgeries, the bishop who was shot in South Sudan is eager to get back

After six surgeries, South Sudan bishop who was shot eager to get back: Nearly three months after being shot shortly after his appointment as the new Bishop of Rumbek in South Sudan, Christian Carlassare says he’s making good progress in his recovery and hopes to return to his diocese “as soon as possible.”

This Sunday, a boy outshines the Church and astonishes the world

This Sunday, A Boy Outshines the Church and Astonishes the World | The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine CollegeHOOPES: In the Gospel for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B, a boy generously offers two loaves of cheap bread and five small fish to Jesus. Jesus takes them and performs a miracle so great it is the only one told in all four Gospels and its ramifications have spread across time and space to reach every Christian through history to today.

There is less confusion about Church teachings among those who take part in the Latin Mass than in any other corner of Catholicism...

Charles Lewis: Pope sends discouraging message: Pope Francis has sent a message to those who attend the Latin Mass. In essence he has said: We do not really want you. It is time you went away. It is time to give up your “divisive” ways. There are many serious problems in the Catholic Church — a depressing list of rejection and ignorance of core teaching. Combined they represent the rot of secular liberalism that has seeped into the pews and has the potential to hollow out the Church.

Why demons text

Exorcist Diary: Why Demons Text - SpiritualDirection.comROSSETTI: My book, Diary of An American Exorcist, is out, and surprisingly one of the most talked-about items is demons texting. This encouraged me to dive more deeply into demonic texts we have received and to look for any insights or patterns that might help us understand their behavior. We have had three cases in which demons have texted the team...

Parishes are opening — what do we do now?

Parishes%20are%20Opening%u2014What%20Do%20We%20Do%20Now%3F: As parishes open up, we have been considering what all parishes can do in a post-COVID world. We came up with five suggestions yesterday, but today we share five more for you to consider.”

Why has education collapsed?

Why Has Education Collapsed? | Classical Catholic EducationLANGLEY: Over the course of my thirty years as an unwitting member of a loosely knit community that might even amount to a ‘movement’-an education reform movement-I have certainly met many whom I feel fortunate to call friends, who care deeply about Catholic education, and out of sheer goodness...

Archdiocesan of Newark Investigates After 10 Rectories Allegedly Linked to Location-Based Hookup Apps

Newark archdiocese to investigate app use allegations - by The Pillar - The Pillar: The Archdiocese of Newark says it will investigate the possibility of clerical sexual misconduct, in response to questions from The Pillar about the use of location-based hookup apps at several parish rectories in the archdiocese. While a spokesperson told The Pillar it is “not acceptable” to use apps “inconsistent with Church teaching,” the archdiocese has also expressed concerns about the “morally suspect” collection of app signal data.

5 points to consider about Msgr. Burrill’s resignation and the surveillance age

Msgr.%20Burrill%u2019s%20Resignation%20and%20the%20Surveillance%20Age%3A%205%20Points%20to%20Consider%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDESOUZA: The resignation of Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is another gut-punch for Catholics. That sin abounds is old news — and grace abounds all the more, St. Paul reminds us — but still the whole matter stings. There are at least five important matters raised by the Burrill resignation...

Christian obedience is not a form of unthinking servility. Christian obedience is an act of love...

The Virtue of Obedience | Charles J. Chaput | First ThingsCHAPUT: We live in a turbulent time; a time that’s similar, in some ways, to the various Reformations of 500 years ago. History, of course, doesn’t repeat itself. History is a creation of unique and unrepeatable people. So the gulf between Europe in 1521 and our circumstances today, in 2021, is huge. But patterns of human thought and behavior do repeat themselves...

Eric Sammons on Pope Francis and the Latin Mass conflict

Respect Life Radio Podcast - Eric Sammons: Pope Francis and the Latin Mass Conflict | Free Listening on Podbean App: This week's episode is a lively conversation with Eric Sammons, Editor-in-Chief of Crisis Magazine and author of Deadly Indifference. Deacon Geoff and Eric discuss Pope Francis and his new restrictions on the Latin Mass.

Admitting our faults is a work of grace

Admitting our faults is a work of grace | Knowing Is DoingTORRE: Can you recall the first time you lied? This was the first question I asked my class as we dove into the doctrine of sin and grace. Their immediate response; “why in the world would you ask us such a question?” The premise of the question was to discuss the first lie propositioned by the father of lies Satan to Adam and Eve...

Traditionis Custodes was theologically incoherent, pastorally divisive, unnecessary, cruel, and one more sorry example of liberal bullying

Liberal authoritarianism and the traditional Latin Mass - Denver CatholicWEIGEL: Let me begin by defining my location in the Liturgy Wars. I am a Novus Ordo man. I don’t agree that the Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Pius V in 1570 entombed the Roman Rite in ecclesiastical amber, such that it forever remains (as one traditionalist friend recently put it) “the most authentic expression of the Roman Church’s lex orandi [rule of worship].”

“I heard sobbing”: Hospitalized baby meets Jesus in Adoration in powerful story of faith in the Eucharist

"I Heard Sobbing": Hospitalized Baby Meets Jesus in Adoration in Powerful Story of Faith in the Eucharist |: A female Twitter user posted an incredibly moving story about an experience she had in Eucharistic adoration. The woman’s name is Gianna, a 20-year-old Catholic journalism student.

Mississippi appeals lower court rulings, asks U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade

Mississippi asks U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade: Lawyers for the state of Mississippi urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to overturn Roe v Wade, taking a more aggressive approach than the one presented when they asked the court a year ago to hear the case.

Why children need real heroes and true history

Why Children Need Real Heroes and True History - Seton MagazineCLARK: Some claim that the main reason to learn history is to avoid the past mistakes of others. While there is admittedly some benefit to learning history for that reason, this is nevertheless a merely negative prohibition. But from a Catholic perspective—from a human perspective—the main reason to study history has a superlatively positive motivation. It is to learn virtue.

The matrimonial gift: “With my body I thee worship...”

With my body I thee worship: the matrimonial gift - by Tim Clark - Between The PawsTIMCLARK: In last week’s article, I made the claim that not only is it possible for someone to give a gift without expectations or demands from the receiver, it is in fact necessary that this be the case. Otherwise, it is not a gift, but a transaction. Does this always hold though? What about conjugal love between husband and wife?

How extraordinary is the Extraordinary Form? The frequency of the ‘usus antiquior,’ analyzed

How extraordinary is the Extraordinary Form? The frequency of the 'usus antiquior' - by Brendan Hodge - The PillarHODGE: The motu proprio Traditionis custodes has been discussed extensively in some Catholic circles and prompted a variety of responses from bishops. It has also left some people wondering how many American Catholics actually attend Mass in the Extraordinary Form. At The Pillar, we decided to find out. And while we couldn’t quantify the number of Catholics who actually attend the Extraordinary Form, we did learn a few things worth noting.

Msgr. Burrill and the ‘Droit du Monseigneur’

Msgr. Burrill & The 'Droit Du Monseigneur' | The American ConservativeDREHER: If Burrill is guilty of what the data indicate, then it’s important to know if he used his position at the NAC to groom others, or in some other way participated in, or turned a blind eye to, predation. It cannot be said enough: these things happen in networks...

Let’s study the impact of the Traditional Latin Mass

Let%u2019s%20Study%20the%20Impact%20of%20the%20Traditional%20Latin%20Mass%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterJANETSMITH: In Traditionis Custodes (Guardians of the Tradition), the motu proprio that sets out provisions for curtailing the availability of the Mass based on the 1962 Missal promulgated by Pope St. John XXIII (here referred to as the traditional Latin Mass), Pope Francis states that his decisions are based on consultations with bishops worldwide (the results of which have never been made public).

Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill and the limits of a priest’s right to privacy

The Limits of a Priest's Right to PrivacyJANETSMITH: Seminaries have filters on computers to catch students, faculty (lay and priests), and staff who view pornography. The consequences can be very serious, including dismissal from the seminary or losing one’s job. Dioceses seize the computers and phones of priests accused of wrongdoing, especially sexual, to find evidence for their wrongdoing, such as the use of pornography. Dioceses even use the services of local law enforcement agencies when they investigate priests for wrongdoing.

EWTN’s Catholic News Agency names veteran journalist Shannon Mullen as editor-in-chief

EWTN%u2019s%20Catholic%20News%20Agency%20names%20Shannon%20Mullen%20as%20Editor-in-Chief: Michael P. Warsaw, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN, has announced the appointment of Shannon Mullen as Editor-in-Chief of Catholic News Agency.

Venezuela’s President Maduro Calls Vatican Diplomatic Letter a ‘Compendium of Hatred’

Venezuela's Maduro Calls Vatican Letter a 'Compendium of Hatred' | World News | US News: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday called a letter sent by the Vatican's foreign minister to local businesses, which urged Caracas politicians to take seriously negotiations to resolve the country's crisis, a "compendium of hatred."

Ties that bind? Concerning journalism, Grindr, secrecy, ‘homophobia’ and the Latin Mass

Ties%20that%20bind%3F%20Concerning%20journalism%2C%20Grindr%2C%20secrecy%2C%20homophobia%20and%20the%20Latin%20Mass%20%u2014%20GetReligionMATTINGLY: Early in my religion-beat career, a veteran Catholic leader gave me wise advice about the challenges reporters would face covering the emerging national scandals about sexual abuse by bishops and priests. Never forget, he said, that these scandals are not about “left vs. right.” Plenty of people, across the whole spectrum of Catholic life, have secrets in the past and some in the present.

In Cameroon’s bloody civil war, Catholic priests and bishop are being targeted by both sides

In Cameroon's bloody civil war, Catholic clergy targeted by both sides: For ordinary people, living in Cameroon’s troubled English-speaking regions is literally a matter of life and death, as bloody conflicts between the military and non-state combatants have made life unbearable for the over 5 million people who live in the two areas.

Many Catholics who felt lost after Vatican II found comfort in the Latin Mass. Now, they are hurting again...

Many Catholics who felt lost after Vatican II found comfort in the Latin Mass. Now, they are hurting again. | America MagazineLU: There were many exorcisms at my baptism. I gasped when the deacon showed me the text. It was several pages thick, packed with stern rebukes for the minions of Satan. Infant baptisms are relatively brief in the extraordinary form, but adult converts get a more thorough cleansing. “It makes sense,” I laughingly told a friend. “The demons have had more time to work on me.”

FSSP Says It Is ‘Deeply Saddened’ by Latin Mass Restrictions

FSSP%20Says%20It%20Is%20%u2018Deeply%20Saddened%u2019%20by%20Latin%20Mass%20Restrictions%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter issued a statement on Tuesday reaffirming its fidelity to Pope Francis and expressing disappointment with his recent motu proprio restricting the use of traditional liturgies.

The indicted Cardinal Becciu has now filed (or threatened to file) around 10 lawsuits against media outlets and other critics

Indicted Italian cardinal wants his day in court ... more than one, actuallyALLEN: Though it hardly made a dent in the weekend’s news cycle given Pope Francis’s bombshell crackdown on the Latin Mass, Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu announced his latest lawsuit Saturday, in this case suing an Italian newspaper called La Verità for defamation over a report regarding movements of money in Becciu’s home diocese in Sardinia.

My soul takes pleasure in three beautiful things — agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and a wife and a husband who live in harmony

Three Beautiful Things in the Cosmos | LifeCraftCUDDEBACK: I wonder what these words sound like to the young. I imagine they sound rather innocuous; I think they would have to me. Sure, of course those three things are great. It is fascinating how life experience can open our eyes. To the challenge of what was presumed easy. To the rareness of what seemed common. To the gift of what was taken for granted.

A cry from the heart about ‘Traditionis Custodes’ and the Latin Mass

A%20Cry%20From%20the%20Heart%20About%20%u2018Traditionis%20Custodes%u2019%20and%20the%20Latin%20Mass%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPOPE: I must say that I am grieved and stunned by this document and the letter to the bishops that accompanied it. I think not so much of my own potential loss but of the many Catholics I have served who love the extraordinary form. For so long and in so many places they have often been treated harshly and have been marginalized for their love for the form of the liturgy that most of the saints knew.

Praise miraculously broke St. Paul’s chains — and praising God is what will break your chains too

Praise%20Broke%20St.%20Paul%u2019s%20Chains%20%u2014%20and%20Praising%20God%20Is%20What%20Will%20Break%20Your%20Chains%20Too%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterSTEFANICK: You’re probably making a very common mistake with your prayer life, making it more about you than about God. However, I’ve got a simple fix that I can sum up in one word: praise. An attitude of praise toward God will revolutionize your prayer life. Iit’ll revolutionize your life, period!

Traditional Latin Mass, Canada’s residential schools, fear of schism, and Father James Martin’s alarm at The Pillar story

Quick hits: schisms and fear of schisms | Catholic CultureLAWLER: Horrified by today’s blockbuster story from Pillar, the ubiquitous Father James Martin, SJ, worries that if Catholic journalists are going to investigate cell-phone usage, we should all be worried. Why? If you could obtain my cell-phone records, you’d find them mighty boring. Why would someone assume that there’s damaging information in anyone’s private records?

“Where there is incense there is fire.” True, but reporters can seek voices in the middle of that war

%27Where%20there%20is%20incense%20there%20is%20fire.%27%20True%2C%20but%20reporters%20can%20seek%20voices%20in%20middle%20of%20that%20war%20%u2014%20GetReligionMATTINGLY: Raise your hand if you are old enough to remember the Vietnam era. That may sound like a strange question to ask after a weekend of reading the tsunami of online reactions to the decision by Pope Francis to all but crush the 2007 Summorum Pontificum apostolic letter by the now retired Pope Benedict XVI, the document defending the use of the old Latin Mass, now called the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

USCCB general secretary Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill resigns after sexual misconduct allegations based on smartphone app data

Pillar Investigates: USCCB gen sec Burrill resigns after sexual misconduct allegations - by The Pillar - The Pillar: Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, former general secretary of the U.S. bishops’ conference, announced his resignation Tuesday, after The Pillar found evidence the priest engaged in serial sexual misconduct, while he held a critical oversight role in the Catholic Church’s response to the recent spate of sexual abuse and misconduct scandals.

Catholic Dissident Leader in Cuba: Under Current Totalitarian Regime, ‘It Is Impossible to Prosper’

Catholic%20Dissident%20Leader%20in%20Cuba%3A%20Under%20Current%20Totalitarian%20Regime%2C%20%u2018It%20Is%20Impossible%20to%20Prosper%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: Last week, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in protest. The unprecedented crowds called for food and medicine, which have been hard to come by on the economically crippled island. But they also called for something more profound: freedom and liberty, human needs that have been in short-supply in Cuba during the 62-year rule of a communist regime.

Do your children a favor — be a burden on them. They will thank you for it in Heaven...

Do%20Your%20Children%20a%20Favor%20%u2014%20Be%20a%20Burden%20on%20Them%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterWEAVER: It’s almost cliché. Those of the “Greatest Generation” absolutely, positively do not want to be a “burden” on their children. This generation of people who gave so much for so many couldn’t (and can’t) imagine putting their children in a position of having to sacrifice for them. On the surface, this would seem like yet another selfless action on their part. But is it?

How to know if you’ve become a ‘Coca-Cola Catholic,’ and how to fix it if you are

How%20to%20Know%20If%20You%u2019ve%20Become%20a%20%u2018Coca-Cola%20Catholic%2C%u2019%20and%20How%20to%20Fix%20It%20If%20You%20Are%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterLONGENECKER: Coca-Cola Catholicism is characterized by worship that is warm and fuzzy and sweet. Anodyne sermons that are about anything but the gospel of Jesus Christ — bland exhortations to be nicer people or to be more tolerant — or pep talks to boost self-esteem. This is combined with hokey, sentimental music with saccharine songs about gathering together and feeling the Spirit all gooey and sweet.

How to stop being an internet glutton — tips from a 4th-century monk John Cassian

How%20to%20Stop%20Being%20an%20Internet%20Glutton%20%u2014%20Tips%20From%20a%20Holy%204th-Century%20Monk%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterSPENCER: The more I have tried to limit my use of the internet, the more I realize that this tool is a necessary part of the life I live. It is central to much of my work, managing my children’s home school, cooking meals, keeping up on basics like weather and news, staying in touch with out of town relatives and friends, and my prayer life...

US Bishops Weigh Next Steps on Traditional Latin Mass While Others Fear Further Division

US Bishops Weigh Next Steps on Traditional Latin Mass While Others Fear Further Division| National Catholic RegisterROBERTS: Pope Francis’ motu proprio Traditionis Custodes has restricted celebration of the traditional Latin Mass in a way that some fear could cause more division, despite the Pope’s stated aim to achieve greater unity within the Church and curb what he calls “divisive tendencies” among those attached to the older form of the Mass.

11 children of Apollo astronauts and flight directors talk about what it was like when their dads went on business trips to the moon...

Generation Apollo: Coming of age inside America's space race - CNN: They are the names written in history books: Armstrong, Aldrin, Lovell, Chaffee, Bean, Cernan, Anders, Griffin, Carr. Their stories of NASA's Apollo program in the 1960s and '70s are the stuff of legend and lore...

Four teachings on personal prayer, for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Four%20Teachings%20on%20Personal%20Prayer%20%u2013%20A%20Homily%20for%20the%2016th%20Sunday%20of%20the%20Year%20-%20Community%20in%20MissionPOPE: The Gospel this Sunday speaks to us of the priority of personal prayer. In last week’s Gospel, Jesus sent the apostles out two by two to proclaim the Kingdom. Now they return, eager to report their progress and the graces they encountered. As Jesus listens, He urges them...

Who was the mysterious man who “ran away naked” from Gethsemane?

Who%20Was%20the%20Man%20Who%20Ran%20Away%20Naked%3F%20%u2013%20Jimmy%20AkinAKIN: Mark contains a brief story not found in the other Gospels. Immediately after Jesus’ arrest, the Eleven scatter, and we read that “a certain young man was following him, clothed only in a linen cloth on his naked body. And they attempted to seize him, but he left behind the linen cloth and fled naked.” People naturally want to know who this young, anonymous man was.

Can calamities come to us? Yes. But when these calamities come, will the Lord still be with us? Yes...

The Day of Calamity | Parishable ItemsFELTES: Today I will be speaking to you about why the Jewish calendar is different from our own, about why this Sunday is of special significance in Jewish history, and about the enduring faithfulness of our Lord for towards people. Like many ancient cultures, the Jews kept a lunar calendar, while we, and most of the world today, follow a particular solar calendar...

Someone built a high-speed 360-degree camera, and the results are mesmerizing

New Advent: Someone built a high-speed 360-degree camera, and the results are mesmerizing: Macro Room flies through space and time using an ingenious camera rig...

Concrete accounts for about half of all manmade things. There is so much concrete in the world that soon it will outweigh all living matter...

Concrete: The material that's 'too vast to imagine' - BBC Future: Ages of human history have often been named after the materials that our ancestors mastered at that time: stone, bronze or iron. If future archaeologists do the same for us, what material might they choose to define the 21st Century? Silicon? Plastic? Both are candidates, shaping the world for better and for worse. But if the decision were based on scale alone, then there can be only one answer: we are living in the age of concrete.

Noelle Mering: How Christians should respond to the Woke revolution

Noelle Mering: How Christians should respond to the Woke revolution: “It seems like this is a cultural revolution that’s bloodless — or seemingly bloodless, although I do think that there’s human casualties, for sure — but I think it's really hard to see it,” said Noelle Mering...

St. Thomas Aquinas taught us how to please God while dealing with bad prelates: (1) We salute the rank, not the man; (2) When we suffer FROM the Church, we must suffer FOR her...

Edward Feser: Aquinas on bad prelatesFESER: This Sunday, the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the readings show us how we should behave in the world when we feel like we are walking through a dark valley with God far off and no one but weak and wicked shepherds to guide us. In the Gospel, Jesus heads off to rest a while. We should be like the crowds who won’t let him rest.

This Sunday, let’s interrupt Our Lord’s rest

This%20Sunday%2C%20Let%u2019s%20Interrupt%20Jesus%u2019s%20Rest%20%7C%20The%20Gregorian%20Institute%20at%20Benedictine%20CollegeHOOPES: This Sunday, the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the readings show us how we should behave in the world when we feel like we are walking through a dark valley with God far off and no one but weak and wicked shepherds to guide us. In the Gospel, Jesus heads off to rest a while. We should be like the crowds who won’t let him rest...

The French Revolution and the Carmelites of Compiègne

The French Revolution and the Carmelites of Compiegne| National Catholic RegisterMANN: When Bastille Day comes around each summer on July 14, I just can’t bring myself to pop the cork on a bottle of Champagne-style California sparkling wine (the kind I can afford). The Fête Nationale commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 and its one year anniversary, Fête de la Fédération, when a new government, with Louis XVI as a constitutional monarch...

The Pope’s motu proprio: Why this, why now, and how does it build up the Church?

Reax | Charlotte was BothWELBORN: As I have observed many times before, one of the negative outcomes of the Second Vatican Council was to turn the Church inward – ironic, since the whole purpose of the Council was to look outward, to enable the Church to engage more effectively with the world, a world so desperately in need of Christ.

A psychotherapist says parents who raise confident, mentally strong kids always do these 3 things when praising their children

Psychotherapist: Parents of mentally strong kids do 3 things when giving praise: As parents, we want our kids to feel good about themselves, so we try to praise them as much as possible. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Research shows that there are benefits to praising kids. A simple compliment can generate self-worth and pride. However, it depends on what kind of praise we give, as well as when and how frequently.

Pope’s clampdown on Traditional Latin Mass brings mourning from some, gloating from others

Pope's clampdown on Latin Mass praised as 'prophetic,' ripped as 'cruel': Pope Francis’s decision to restrict celebration of the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass, effectively rolling back wider permission granted under Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, is being met by predictably mixed reaction from Catholics around the globe, with some praising the move as prophetic and others calling it a stain on Francis’s legacy.

Latin Mass Supporters React With Dismay to Pope’s Severe New Restrictions

Latin%20Mass%20Supporters%20React%20With%20Dismay%20to%20Pope%u2019s%20Severe%20New%20Restrictions%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPENTIN: Pope Francis has issued sweeping restrictions to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, reversing previous papal decrees that had liberalized the Mass celebrated before the liturgical reforms of Pope St. Paul VI in 1970, and urging a “return in due time” to the liturgy instituted after the Second Vatican Council.

Who is Our Lady of Mount Carmel?

Who%20is%20Our%20Lady%20of%20Mount%20Carmel%3F%20%u2013%20%BFQui%E9n%20es%20La%20Virgen%20del%20Carmen%3F%20%u2013%20Discalced%20Carmelite%20Friars: Today is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In this video, Father Michael-Joseph of St Thérèse explains the connection between Mary and the Carmelite tradition. We see what Our Lady of Mount Carmel signifies for the spiritual life of Christians and how they can incorporate this devotion in their daily lives. She is not just for Carmelites, but for all who want to go deeper in the adventure towards union with God. The brown scapular is seen as a great key for this.

Dagny Kjaergaard knew what to do when storms came: Stand fast, be faithful, and bear fruit a hundredfold

Dagny%20Kjaergaard%20Knew%20What%20to%20Do%20When%20Storms%20Came%20%u2014%20Stand%20Fast%2C%20Be%20Faithful%2C%20and%20Bear%20Fruit%20a%20Hundredfold%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterFIMISTER: The consecrated virgin Dagny Kjaergaard is one of those figures whose influence over the Church is hidden but pervasive. Now that she has departed this life, this fact is sure to be recognized more and more. The precise authorship of each part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a closely guarded secret and Dr. Kjaergaard honored that to her grave...

TRADITIONIS CUSTODES: Apostolic Letter Issued “Motu Proprio” on the Use of the Roman Liturgy Prior to the Reform of 1970

Lettera%20Apostolica%20in%20forma%20di%20Motu%20%ABProprio%BB%20del%20Sommo%20Pontefice%20Francesco%20%ABTraditionis%20Custodes%BB%20sull%u2019uso%20della%20Liturgia%20Romana%20anteriore%20alla%20Riforma%20del%201970COATOFARMS: Guardians of the tradition, the bishops in communion with the Bishop of Rome, constitute the visible principle and foundation of the unity of their particular Churches. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the Gospel and by means of the celebration of the Eucharist, they govern the particular Churches entrusted to them. In order to promote the concord and unity of the Church...

My first reaction: The vulgarity of this motu proprio is matched only by its cruelty

First%20reactions%20to%20%u201CTraditionis%20custodes%u201D%20%7C%20Fr.%20Z%27s%20BlogZUHLSDORF: To those of you who have put your heart and goods and hopes into supporting and building the Traditional Latin Mass, thank you. Do not for a moment despair or wonder if what you did was worth the effort, time, cost and suffering. It was worth it. It still is. By your efforts you made it possible for many people to come close to an encounter with Mystery. That is of inestimable value and eternal merit.

Here’s an explainer from The Pillar about the changes to the Traditional Latin Mass

Pope makes extraordinary changes for Extraordinary Form - by The Pillar - The Pillar: Pope Francis on Friday promulgated Traditionis custodes, a new set of norms that makes significant changes to the rules governing the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The changes restrict significantly the permission of priests to offer the Extraordinary Form, and place diocesan bishops in the position of regulating its celebration. The changes come after a global survey of bishops, Pope Francis said.

Here’s the gist of the new motu proprio: Forget “accompaniment” and “dialogue,” and push TLM goers to the margins...

Traditionis Custodes | Charlotte was BothWELBORN: There are a number of concerning and odd aspects to this document, but they are of a piece with what we’ve come to expect: presentism, catchphrases and a lack of engagement with theology, tradition or history at a deep level. But perhaps the most startling is the demand that TLMs not take place in “parochial churches.”

12 quick thoughts on Pope Francis dropping his long-expected bomb on the Traditional Latin Mass

Twelve quick thoughts on Pope Francis dropping his long-expected bomb on the traditional latin Mass - Catholic HeraldWOLFGANG: I get Pope Francis’ concern about disunity, about the hostility of some TLMers to Vatican II. But we’ve got a chicken and egg question. I don’t know why the institutional Church repeatedly goes out of its way to kick Latin Mass Catholics in the teeth. Complain all you want about Catholic internet provocateurs but stuff like this is why they have a huge audience...

What draws parishioners to the Traditional Latin Mass?

What Draws Parishioners to the Traditional Latin Mass?| National Catholic RegisterROBERTS: As someone who has attended the Traditional Latin Mass most of his life, 22-year-old Robert Keller knows well the stereotypes that paint him and his fellow devotees as rigid and stuck in the past. Tensions over such perceptions have been stirred amid reports that the Vatican may be moving to restrict the Traditional Latin Mass...

5 consequences of the new motu proprio curtailing the Latin Mass

Pope%20Francis%u2019%20Traditionis%20Custodes%3A%20Five%20Consequences%20of%20the%20New%20Motu%20Proprio%20Curtailing%20the%20Latin%20Mass%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDESOUZA: Where there is incense there is fire, at least when it comes to Catholics clashing over the liturgy. There was clashing aplenty today, with Pope Francis abolishing the chief liturgical initiative of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Pope Francis intends that there will be rather less incense, at least of the extraordinary type.

Pope Francis Drops Bomb on Traditional Catholics, Issues Severe Restrictions on Extraordinary Form Masses in New Motu Proprio

Breaking: Pope Francis Issues Restrictions on Extraordinary Form Masses in New Motu Proprio| National Catholic Register: Pope Francis issued a motu proprio on Friday restricting Masses celebrated in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. In the motu proprio, issued July 16, the Pope made sweeping changes to his predecessor Benedict XVI’s 2007 apostolic letter Summorum Pontificum, which acknowledged the right of all priests to say Mass using the Roman Missal of 1962.

One in a million? A Texas teen’s golf ball was struck by lightning mid-flight — and it was captured on video

Topgolf%3A%20Teen%u2019s%20golf%20ball%20struck%20by%20lightning%20in%20San%20Antonio: On Friday at a Topgolf venue in San Antonio, 18-year-old Tomas Gomez was hitting golf balls with his brother, sister and some friends while a storm was building in the area.

Vatican’s historic trial of Cardinal Becciu risks becoming a political football

Vatican's historic cardinal trial risks becoming political footballALLEN: What impact it may have on the course of justice in a Vatican tribunal remains to be seen, but one point is becoming steadily clearer about the case of Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who’s been indicted along with nine other defendants for various forms of financial crime and corruption and who’s set to stand trial beginning July 27.

A band of con men was dressing up as cardinals to swindle $2 million — but they just got busted by Italian undercover cops who were dressed up as priests

Undercover as priests, Italian cops bust $2 million fake cardinals scam: A group of con men who dressed up as cardinals to swindle victims out of millions of dollars have been caught by Italian police, in an undercover sting operation conducted by officers who were disguised as priests. Members of the Carabinieri, the Italian military police who enjoy broad authority in Italy, set the trap at the Basilica of Holy Mary of Angels and Martyrs in central Rome after receiving complaints from two hotels that were scammed out of 20,000 euros ($23,631) and 75,000 euros ($88,616) in 2017.

Some Notre Dame students and faculty outraged by proposed campus Chick-fil-A

Some Notre Dame students and faculty outraged by proposed campus Chick-fil-A | Fox News: A group of students and faculty at an elite Catholic university say they don’t want Chick-fil-A to open a restaurant on their Indiana campus because of the restaurant chain’s frequent donations to Christian groups. Roughly 180 University of Notre Dame students and faculty have signed an open letter calling on the school’s Campus Dining division to nix the proposed new shop.

Road to nowhere: Vatican made $8 million investment in fake North Carolina highway

Road to nowhere: Vatican made 7m investment in fake US highway - by The Pillar - The Pillar: Enrico Crasso is one of 10 individuals indicted by Vatican prosecutors July 3 for financial crimes. Crasso, who for years oversaw the investment of millions of euros in Church funds, is charged with multiple crimes, including embezzlement, corruption, extortion, money laundering, fraud, abuse of office, and forgery. A 488-page indictment released last week contains details of the charges against him and other Vatican figures.

What’s wrong with the Countdown Paradox?

What%u2019s%20Wrong%20with%20the%20Countdown%20Paradox%3F%20%u2013%20Jimmy%20AkinAKIN: Sometimes defenders of the Kalaam cosmological argument defend its second premise (i.e., that the world couldn’t have an infinite past) by proposing a paradox involving counting. The Kalaam defender then challenges the Kalaam skeptic to name the sufficient reason, and if he’s not convinced by the answer, he rejects Step A of the argument...

Don’t be discouraged by your faults

Don't be discouraged by your faults | Knowing Is DoingTORRE: In his Confessions, St. Augustine describes the struggle of memories and illusions that pervade on his soul from his life of fornication and debauchery. The strength of these memories become so intense that he could no longer engage this lifestyle and thus submits himself to the will of God the Father to free him from the hold of concupiscence.

Break open the bottle: giving gifts like the Magdalene

Break open the bottle: giving gifts like the Magdalene - by Tim Clark - Between The PawsTIMCLARK: Recently, I heard an argument that there is no such thing as a truly selfless gift. That is, a gift with no strings attached. The reason being, the argument goes, the giver always expects something in return from the receiver. The “something” in question need not be money, or favors; it may simply be the expectation of a “thank you for the gift.” Nevertheless, something is always expected. There is no free lunch as the saying goes.

Pope Francis and the life issues

Pope Francis and the life issues - Denver CatholicWEIGEL: Pope Francis’s tendency to use colorful expressions and abrasive adjectives in commenting on ideas, habits, and practices of which he disapproves have puzzled Catholics for over eight years now. Is this how popes talk? From my own study of papal history, I can easily believe that Pope Pius XI had a few choice (even brutal) words to say on occasion...

How the liturgy is healing medicine for strident times

How the Liturgy is Healing Medicine for Strident Times - Community in MissionPOPE: It is hard to describe our times as anything but contentious. Loud, strident protests often predominate over reasoned discourse and thoughtful argumentation. To be sure, every era has had, and has needed, protest and public opposition to injustice. There is a time and a place for loud protest and the use of memorable sound bites. However, it is the predominance of loud protest and civil disobedience that stands out today...

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks| National Catholic RegisterSCHIFFER: When I was in elementary school, my parents splurged on a membership to the Catholic Youth Book Club. I was an avid reader, and we lived quite a distance from the library — so each month I’d thrill to tear open the box which arrived in our mailbox, and to reveal the new hardcover biography of one of the saints...

Former CFO of Wyoming Catholic College accused of $15 million fraud scam

Wyoming Catholic College Former CFO Accused of $15 Million Fraud Scam| National Catholic RegisterDESMOND: The $10-million donation from an anonymous donor was the largest gift in the history of Wyoming Catholic College, and school leaders looked forward to using the funds to expand facilities at the campus in downtown Lander, located in the central part of the state. But as architectural plans were completed, with the goal of starting construction by summer’s end...

How is Mass like a food truck?

How Is Mass Like a Food Truck?| National Catholic RegisterSTEFANICK: How is Mass like a food truck, and how do you get more out of it? Some people approach Mass as if it’s fine dining, and they leave Mass, driving home with their kids, rating the experience — “The homily was a little stale, the music was a little spicy.” You are absolutely missing the point. Mass is not like fine dining. It’s more like a food truck.

Venerable Fulton Sheen and the persistent specter of Communism

Fulton Sheen and the Persistent Specter of Communism| National Catholic RegisterDEMARCO: In the turbulence and confusion that is going on in America these days, one idea seems to be gaining ascendency — communism. Should we exchange “We the people,” as written in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, for “we the masses”? Should we trade democracy for a totalitarian state? Should we extinguish God in favor of self-worship? How did things come to this point? The abysmal failures of communism in Russia, North Korea, China, Cuba and wherever it was employed are not difficult to see.

Cuban protesters take to the streets for their freedom, under the patronage of Our Lady of Charity

Cuban Protesters Take to the Streets for Their Freedom, Under Patronage of Our Lady of Charity| National Catholic RegisterLIEDL: Throughout their country’s history, the people of Cuba have called upon Our Lady of Charity’s intercession to bring calm amid life’s stormy seas. From aiding the “mambisa” freedom fighters in the island nation’s war for independence from Spain, to facilitating an untold number of everyday miracles for ordinary Cubanos, many believe “La Cachita” has helped answer prayers time and time again.

Pope Francis returns home to Vatican after colon surgery

Pope Francis Returns to Vatican After Colon Surgery| National Catholic Register: Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican after spending 11 days in a Rome hospital to recover from colon surgery. The Vatican said July 14 that Pope Francis was discharged from Gemelli Hospital shortly after 10:30 a.m. Rome time and left the hospital to return to his Vatican residence by car.

What’s behind Monday’s false rumors about Pope Francis resigning “in the next few hours?”

What%u2019s%20Behind%20a%20False%20Rumor%20About%20Pope%20Francis%20Resigning%20%u2018In%20the%20Next%20Few%20Hours%u2019%3F%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: Rumors started to fly around social media Monday claiming that Pope Francis was “likely” to resign from the papacy “in the next few hours.” The Pope is currently hospitalized after undergoing a surgery July 4 to remove part of his colon, fueling reports that health reasons could have prompted Francis to take this step.

With the Pope staying longer in the hospital, is this the part where we panic?

With pope staying in hospital, is this the part where we panic?ALLEN: In many ways, Pope Francis had a great weekend. His native Argentina defeated their hated rivals Brazil to win the Latin American soccer championship on Saturday, and the next night his adopted home of Italy triumphed over England for the European title in a thrilling game that ended in a shootout.

Simone Biles and other Catholic Olympic athletes to be barred from Tokyo churches due to COVID-19

Olympic athletes to be barred from Tokyo churches due to CovidSANMARTIN: As Tokyo readies to welcome thousands of the world’s top athletes later this month for the Olympics, the local archbishop has announced that “regrettably” no Catholic parish will be able to welcome them due to the spread of COVID-19, as the Japanese city is once again in a state of emergency.

“Because Haiti,” and unraveling a Vatican mystery

'Because Haiti,' and unraveling a Vatican mystery - by JD Flynn - The PillarJDFLYNN: Less than one week ago, the president of Haiti was assassinated at his home, reportedly by a group of Columbian ex-military security contractors (or mercenaries, depending on who you ask). President Jovenel Moïse was tortured before he died, and his wife was shot three times and is now being treated in a Miami hospital. The assassination is the latest escalation...

July is the month of the Most Precious Hemoglobin

July, Month of the Most Precious Hemoglobin | Catholic AnswersTRASANCOS: Blood is one of those things, like air, water, and sunshine, that is easily taken for granted, because if we are alive, it is granted that blood courses through our veins. Blood is indispensable to life. I often profess that science should deepen our faith. During the month of July, the month of the Most Precious Blood, it’s good to consider what we know about blood from modern biochemistry and how it intersects with the history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis names Illinois priest to lead diocese of Covington, Kentucky

Pope Francis names Illinois priest to lead Covington, Kentucky diocese: The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis appointed Illinois priest Msgr. John C. Iffert to be the next bishop of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky. Iffert, 53, will succeed Covington’s 10th bishop, Roger J. Foys, whose resignation was accepted July 13 by Pope Francis. Foys, who will turn 76 later this month, is retiring for age reasons.

How to start homeschooling: A 10-step guide

How to Start Homeschooling: A 10-Step Guide| National Catholic RegisterAHERN: It is no secret that education in the Western world is at a crisis point. Public schools have become institutional agents of a state-driven agenda to “free” children from their family cultures, as Harvard professor Elizabeth Bartholet put it during a recent panelist discussion. At the same time, they are failing to provide a basic education in literacy and mathematics.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fans the flames of blame

Canada%u2019s%20Trudeau%20Fans%20the%20Flame%20of%20Blame%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: The recent findings of unmarked graves located beside government-owned residential schools for Indigenous children that once operated in Canada has erupted into an international controversy, unjustly centered on the Catholic Church’s involvement with these schools. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swiftly joined with Native leaders in demanding that Pope Francis apologize...

Pope Francis Will Stay Longer in Hospital, Vatican Says

Pope Francis Will Stay Longer in Hospital, Vatican Says| National Catholic Register: Pope Francis will stay longer in hospital to recover from a surgery on his colon, the Vatican said on Monday. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said July 12 that the pope would remain at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for “a few more days” before being discharged, “to optimize the medical and rehabilitation therapy.”

Italy’s new evangelization bid: Come for the Euro Cup game, stay for church

Italy%u2019s%20new%20evangelization%20bid%3A%20Come%20for%20the%20game%2C%20stay%20for%20churchALLEN: Externally, at least, there’s little particularly Catholic about the fervor that’s swept Italy in anticipation of tonight’s final of the Euro 2020 soccer tournament against England in London’s Wembley Stadium – although one of Italy’s best players is named Chiesa, meaning “Church,” and the country’s biggest sports paper ran the headline “God is Italian!” after the team beat Spain in a shootout in the semifinals.

5 fundamental freedoms for the Christian evangelizer

Five Fundamental Freedoms for the Christian Evangelizer - Community in MissionPOPE: One of the biggest reasons why most Christians have difficulty evangelizing effectively is that most lack the requisite freedom and simplicity of life to carry forth the task consistently and coherently. In Sunday’s Gospel, the Lord offers some counsel on what is required for effective evangelization.

In first public appearance since surgery, Pope Francis leads Sunday Angelus from his hospital balcony

Pope Francis Prays the Angelus from His Hospital Balcony| National Catholic Register: In his first public appearance since having an intestinal surgery, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus from the balcony of his hospital on Sunday and delivered a message urging access to good healthcare for everyone.

Papal breakfasts, problem apps, and the process of real reform

Papal breakfasts, problem apps, and the process of real reform - by Ed. Condon - The PillarCONDON: The Holy Father remains in hospital recovering from intestinal surgery, but by all accounts he is progressing well. He, of course, remains firmly in our prayers here at The Pillar. The Vatican press office has been good at releasing a regular stream of updates on Pope Francis’ status...

Are we even trying to evangelize anymore?

Are We Even Trying To Evangelize Anymore?| National Catholic RegisterCLARK: Judging by the sum of social media, it is clear that laity, priests and prelates alike have become increasingly eager to publicly mock and belittle others. When we mock others on social media, we invite our Facebook posse to “like” our uncharitable words. This constitutes the sin of scandal and can make the faith look terribly unattractive.

Mumford and Sons’ Winston Marshall visits the Blessed Sacrament — then leaves the band

Mumford%20and%20Sons%u2019%20Winston%20Marshall%20Visits%20the%20Blessed%20Sacrament%20%u2014%20Then%20Leaves%20the%20Band%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterAABRAM: Last month, Winston Marshall, a member of the wildly successful folk/rock band Mumford and Sons, quit the band. His decision wasn’t the result of discord or a desire to go solo. He saw that the price of staying in the band would come at the price of his conscience, and he ultimately wasn’t willing to make that trade.

Former Wyoming Catholic College CFO accused of $15 million fraud

Former Wyoming Catholic College CFO accused of $15 million fraud | Crime-and-courts | trib.com: A lawsuit filed in federal court in late June alleges that Paul McCown, the former chief financial officer at Wyoming Catholic College, defrauded an investment firm out of $15 million.

Reiki, Ouija boards and fortune-telling: Whom are you invoking if you’re not invoking God?

Exorcist Diary: Whom are you Dialing? - SpiritualDirection.comROSSETTI: A woman came to us in a panic. She initially was involved with Reiki. Later, her beloved grandfather died, so she tried to contact him through automatic writing. She was left-handed so she put a pen in her right hand and invoked the spirit of her deceased grandfather. The pen started to move and over the course of several months, she received many loving and consoling messages from her deceased grandfather, or so she thought...

This Sunday, break free from the glamor of evil

This Sunday, Break Free From the Glamour of Evil | The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine CollegeHOOPES: Jesus sends the Apostles out two by two with next to nothing in the Gospel for this Sunday, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, teaching them, and us, a crucial lesson in freedom and happiness. The two go together — freedom from the traps of the devil and happiness in Christ. What Jesus gave his apostles is of a piece with what he denied them.

I AM Who Am: God is greater than anything we can imagine

I AM Who Am: God is greater than anything we can imagine - Denver CatholicSTAUDT: Even when Thomas Aquinas was young, he was known often to ask, “who is God?” As he grew into one of the Church’s greatest theologians, he realized that it was much easier to explain who God is not. This might be a good place to begin today as well. God is not just a more powerful being within the universe. He is not like Zeus...

Vandals desecrate seven-story Christ of the Ozarks statue with “God Bless Abortions” banner in Arkansas

Vandals Desecrate 7-Story Christ Statue With "God Bless Abortions" Banner in Arkansas |: Vandals desecrated the seven-story Christ of the Ozarks statue in Eureka Springs, Arkansas early Friday morning. The statue is the tallest statue of Jesus in the nation.

Liberal writer Kevin Drum is right: “It is not conservatives who have turned American politics into a culture war battle”

The Culture War Is a Leftist Offensive - WSJ: Democrats have become more extreme on social issues, and they aren’t prepared for the backlash.

For almost 100 years, the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Thérèse has stood on the California coast

Carmelite%20Monastery%20%u2013%20Carmel-By-The-Sea%2C%20California%20-%20Atlas%20Obscura: The story of the Carmelite Monastery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, actually begins about eight centuries before it was built. The Carmelite Order is a Catholic religious order for men and women. As far as scholars can determine, it was founded in the 12th-century at Mount Carmel in Israel. The order of Carmelite nuns was formalized in 1452.

Father James Altman removed from pastoral ministry by La Crosse Bishop William Callahan

Father Altman Removed from Ministry by La Crosse Bishop| National Catholic Register: Father James Altman has been removed from ministry after Bishop William Callahan of La Crosse sought privately to correct the priest for his inflammatory, though in some circles popular, commentary on social media.

Has New York City become a place where prayer isn’t welcome?

Abortion in New York City: Praying Pro-Lifers Are Treated Like Terrorists | National ReviewLOPEZ: “Racist cops, racist priests, we will not leave the streets.” This was the constant chant from a group of about 30, organized in Brooklyn last month under the Facebook banner of NYC for Abortion Rights. You’d think from the chant that it would be some kind of racial injustice.

In Italy, Church and culture collide in national soccer madness

In Italy, church and culture collide in national soccer madnessALLEN: From the outside, you might think the most talked-about thing in Rome right now is Pope Francis in the Gemelli Hospital, with various theories making the rounds that he’s actually worse than the Vatican is saying, that his surgery for diverticulitis of the colon wasn’t actually “planned” as they claimed, and so on. In truth, you’d be wrong.

Pope receives pectoral cross made of wood from Chilean church burned in protests

Pope receives pectoral cross made of wood from Chilean church burned in protestsSANMARTIN: Minutes before being hospitalized for intestinal surgery on Sunday, Pope Francis was given a pectoral cross made from wooden remains of a church in Chile destroyed by arson last year during street protests. The prelate gave Francis the cross on Sunday, July 4, in the Santa Marta Residence, where the Pope has lived since his election in 2013.

Pope Francis to lead Sunday Angelus from hospital room as he recovers from intestinal surgery

Pope Francis to Lead Sunday Angelus from Hospital After Intestinal Surgery| National Catholic Register: Pope Francis will lead the Angelus from his hospital room on Sunday as he recovers from intestinal surgery, the Vatican said. The pope is at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital this week after undergoing a July 4 operation to remove part of his colon. His hospital room is on the 10th floor of the sprawling polyclinic in a wing reserved for papal medical emergencies. The pope’s medical suite can be identified from the street by its five large windows covered by white blinds.

Do you have to believe everything the pope says?

Do You Have to Believe Everything the Pope Says?| National Catholic RegisterSTEFANICK: I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Pope’s recent, personal letter to James Martin. This presents a great opportunity to discuss what papal infallibility is — and what it isn’t. I’ve been around for three popes now, and during each of their papacies I’ve experienced my fellow Catholics misinterpret the Church’s teaching about infallibility...

Human beings aren’t clownfish

Human%20beings%20aren%u2019t%20clownfish%20%7C%20Charlotte%20was%20BothWELBORN: The goal of gender activists is gender self-identification: the gender as you have a right to be treated is determined by your feelings. It is an internal reality – to be identified as a “woman” should require nothing more than a person’s assertion – no hormones, no surgery, not even any change in presentation. This of course, ends up being twisted in logical knots since...

Here’s the key to Catholic renewal

The Key to Catholic Renewal - Catholic Missionary Disciples - College Station, TXLEJEUNE: During much of the 20th Century, in both Russia and China, Christians were viciously persecuted under Communism. But in the modern era, we see Russian Christianity stagnating (at best and declining in some ways), even though the government now shows a preference for Russian Orthodoxy...

Why are deli subs better than homemade ones? Here’s the secret, and here are 6 sandwich tips to help you make ’em right...

New%20Advent%3A%20Why%20are%20deli%20subs%20better%20than%20homemade%20ones%3F%20Here%u2019s%20the%20secret%2C%20and%20here%20are%206%20sandwich%20tips%20to%20help%20you%20make%20%u2019em%20right...: YouTuber Ethan Chlebowski makes a classic Italian sub and another favorite as we discuss 6 sandwich tips to make better deli-style subs at home.

What’s the one knot to rule them all? This expert says it’s the ‘arbor knot.’ Here’s how to tie it...

New%20Advent%3A%20What%u2019s%20the%20one%20knot%20to%20rule%20them%20all%3F%20This%20expert%20says%20it%u2019s%20the%20%u2018arbor%20knot.%u2019%20Here%u2019s%20how%20to%20tie%20it...: If I could use one knot and one knot only around camp, what would it be? What is the knot to rule them all? I’m putting my money on the the “arbor knot” (also known as the “jam knot”) and here’s why.

What's a TLM, anyway? A Latin liturgy lexicon

What's a TLM, anyway? A Latin liturgy lexicon - by The Pillar - The Pillar: Rome has been full of reports in recent weeks predicting that Pope Francis will soon modify the norms of Summorum pontificum, a 2007 document which granted wide latitude for priests to celebrate the “Extraordinary Form” of the liturgy. It remains to be seen when the pope will approve any changes to the current norms, or what potential changes could be.

A wife in her well-ordered home

A Wife in Her Well-Ordered Home | LifeCraftCUDDEBACK: There is so much to fathom in these words in praise of a good wife. What a revelatory simile/metaphor! Like the sun rising, so is the beauty of a good wife. In her home. Far from minimizing the place of woman in society, as though what she does in the home were somehow remote from where life really happens...

The 2021 Summer Reading List

The 2021 Summer Reading List - Denver CatholicWEIGEL: Liberation from lockdowns and quarantines ought not be liberation from serious reading, opportunities for which being one of the few boons of the recent past. Here are some suggestions for summer enrichment. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., may have retired from the tasks of episcopal governance...

Why was ‘Joan of Arc’ Mark Twain’s favorite among all his many books?

Why%20was%20%u201CJoan%20of%20Arc%u201D%20Mark%20Twain%u2019s%20favorite%20among%20all%20his%20many%20books%3F%20%u2013%20Catholic%20World%20Report: Today, fans of Twain still find themselves scratching their heads. How did the creator of American icons like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn come to write the life and death of a fifteenth-century French girl? Why would a man with so strained a relationship to Christianity write such an earnest novel about a Roman Catholic martyr? Since when did the great American humorist become a hagiographer?

12 reasons why Catholicism is good for you

Twelve Reasons Why Catholicism Is Good For You | Fr. Dwight LongeneckerLONGENECKER: Far be it from me to promote the Catholic faith on purely practical terms. We do not follow the Catholic faith because it is therapeutic or moralistic. Go to the doctor, the self help guru, the gym or your masseur if you want therapy. We are not Catholics because of morality. Moralism leads to legalism which leads to Pharisaism...

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus releases music video warning, “We’re coming for your children...”

Gay%20Men%u2019s%20Singing%20Group%3A%20%27We%u2019re%20Coming%20For%20Your%20Children%27%20-%20CatholicVote%20org: The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus produced a music video titled “A Message from the Gay Community” in which several dozen men vow: “We’re coming for your children.” “To those of you out there who are still against equal rights, we have a message for you,” the leader singer said at the start of the music video.

Our rainbow religion, which lets us become as gods

Our Rainbow Religion, Which Lets Us Become as Gods | The StreamMERING: There is no denying that America has a new civic religion. The US flag, now deliberately and effectively tarnished in the minds of many as a symbol of racism, has been replaced with a rainbow flag proclaiming to the world our new genital dogmas and pelvic creed. Being able to speak into existence your identity, in defiance of any bodily reality, understandably feels like magic. It also must feel godlike. Welcome to the religion of the Woke...

How do you make amends for your sins?

How do you make amends for your sins? | Knowing Is DoingTORRE: The moment I mentioned that the doctrine of sin and reconciliation were the lessons for the week, my students did not miss a beat in their medley of expressions. Shock, horror, disbelief, relief, defiance, and the all too common, “oh no you don’t” were unleashed. As only a teacher can imagine, when the herd is tempted to deviate...

Thomas Gordon Smith (1948-2021) devoted his life to reconnecting the Catholic Church with her artistic heritage

Rebuilding the City of God: Thomas Gordon Smith, 1948-2021FITZPATRICK: Everyone knows that a good man is hard to find, but a good artist is even harder—especially in the Catholic art scene. As a result, what is not hard to find are churches resembling space stations, sentimental plaster saints, and modernist nonrepresentational adornments. Sacred art is in crisis, and on June 22, the world lost one who gave his extraordinary talents...

Enter the narrow gate to receive the Holy Eucharist

Enter the narrow gate to receive the Eucharist - Denver CatholicAQUILA: Jesus counseled the disciples to enter “through the narrow gate,” since the road that leads to destruction is broad and “those who enter through it are many,” but the road that leads to life is narrow and “those who find it are few.” Those of us who have followed the news in the last week or so know that the press has declared that the U.S. Bishops are planning to ban President Biden from Communion...

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is Thursday night. Take this 15-word spelling test and see how you stack up...

So%20You%20Didn%u2019t%20Make%20the%20Scripps%20Spelling%20Bee%3F%20Try%20Ours%20Instead.%20-%20The%20New%20York%20Times: Here is your chance to compete in a spelling competition — much like the middle school students who will appear on ESPN2 in the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night.

Who is weaponizing the Holy Eucharist? Politicians, not bishops...

Who is Weaponizing the Eucharist? Politicians, Not Bishops | Matthew SchneiderSCHNEIDER: Recently concerns have arisen over the bishops following historical pastoral practice and insisting that people repent before the Eucharist. Those who insist on going to Communion when they know they should not are trying to weaponize the Eucharist for their goals. The bishops are not weaponizing the Eucharist.

Every time it collects blood, the American Red Cross affirms the virtue of chastity

When%20the%20Red%20Cross%20supports%20chastity%20%u2013%20Catholic%20World%20ReportNASH: While the American Red Cross supports sexual expression through condom distribution, it also values the virtue of chastity, at least regarding whose blood it will accept. If you attempt to circumvent the rules, the Red Cross has a safeguard to help ensure the integrity of each donation. That is, if your blood is found to have syphilis, gonorrhea, or HIV/AIDS, for example, you will be put on a cannot-donate blood list, and the blood you’ve have donated will be promptly destroyed...

Pope Francis offers condolences after ‘heinous assassination’ of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse

Pope%20Francis%20offers%20condolences%20after%20%u2018heinous%20assassination%u2019%20of%20Haiti%u2019s%20president: Pope Francis has offered his condolences to the Haitian people after their President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his home Wednesday by a group of gunmen.

Sts. Aquila and Priscilla, the husband and wife who helped St. Paul

Aquila and Priscilla, the Husband and Wife Who Helped St. Paul| National Catholic RegisterDOYLE: We first meet the married couple Aquila and Priscilla (also known as Prisca) in Corinth, when their path providentially crossed with Paul’s. Paul had just left Athens in the midst of his second missionary journey, while Aquila and Priscilla had left Rome due to an eviction of Jews by Emperor Claudius. This wonderful chance meeting gave a great lift to Paul’s works. This married couple gave Paul rest and refuge at their home, and Paul gave Aquila and Priscilla divinely inspired spiritual guidance.

As Cardinal Becciu trial looms, a major question: How much did top Vatican officials know?

As Cardinal Becciu Trial Looms, a Major Question: How Much Did Top Vatican Officials Know?| National Catholic RegisterPENTIN: One major question about the upcoming Vatican trial regarding a London property deal that incurred massive losses for the Holy See is how much and when did top-level Vatican officials know about the transaction — and whether they, too, will be summoned to the trial. A 488-page indictment published July 2, following a two-year investigation into the London property deal...

Critical Race Theory won’t help America — only selfless love of country can do that

Critical%20Race%20Theory%20Won%u2019t%20Help%20America%20%u2014%20Only%20Selfless%20Love%20of%20Country%20Can%20Do%20That%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPOPE: For most of us, this past Fourth of July was a day to celebrate the founding principles of our nation and to reflect on the liberty that was given us by God, and secured by the blood and sacrifices of so many. But, for an increasing number of people, July 4 was just another opportunity to discredit our nation...

Free the Latin Mass, for the good of the Church and the people who need it

Free the Latin Mass, for the good of the Church and the people who need it - Catholic HeraldMILLS: Apparently they never give up. Some bishops want “to see the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite explicitly suppressed, or subject to further restrictions,” says Una Voce in a statement released on July 4th. These advocates for the older use of the Mass apparently think those bishops might get what they want. Those bishops shouldn’t want that, and they most definitely shouldn’t get it.

Meteorologist in Youngstown, Ohio, leaves TV weather forecasting career to become a priest

WKBN meteorologist to become priest | WKBN.com: Over the past two years, WKBN viewers have come to know Craig Ziobert through Storm Team weather forecasts. He’s leaving the station in August for a new role – just like his current one – that will help others, but in a way that’s closer to his heart. On a Wednesday evening surrounded by the spiritual silence of a nearly empty Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Youngstown, Ziobert announced he was changing professions.

Pope grants July 25 plenary indulgence and tells Catholics: Honor your grandparents that day

Pope Grants July 25 Plenary Indulgence and Tells Catholics: Honor Your Grandparents That Day| National Catholic RegisterLANDRY: Many countries have special days to honor grandparents. Some choose fixed days: Poland celebrates on Jan. 21 (grandmothers) and 22 (grandfathers); the Netherlands, June 4; Brazil, Portugal and Spain on July 26; Mexico on Aug. 28; Italy on Oct. 2; and Russia on Oct. 28. Others choose specific Sundays: The United States, together with Bangladesh, Estonia and the Philippines, on the second Sunday of September...

On July 7 we remember Blessed Peter To Rot, who was martyred by the Japanese during World War II for defending marriage

Blessed Peter To Rot, Martyred by the Japanese During WWII For Defending Marriage| National Catholic RegisterBECKER: Christian marriage has always been a challenging ideal, but until recently there was a broad consensus as to its constituent elements. When England’s Henry VIII, for example, decided in the 1520s that he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn, he knew he’d first have to free himself from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon...

Pope Francis Grateful for Prayers as He Recovers From Intestinal Surgery

Pope Francis Grateful for Prayers as He Recovers from Intestinal Surgery| National Catholic Register: Pope Francis is grateful for prayers as he recovers in hospital from intestinal surgery, the Vatican said Wednesday. The Holy See press office said July 7 that Pope Francis was making “regular and satisfactory” progress in his recovery after undergoing an operation on his colon on the evening of July 4.

Your child won’t be the same when you get back

Your Child Won't Be the Same When You Get Back - Catholic HeraldHERNDON: I’m supposed to be (as I write this) in Washington, DC, for the National Right To Life conference right now. I was all packed, had re-dyed my hair, and set a 4 am alarm for my 7 o’clock flight this morning, when my fifteen-year-old daughter, Eiffel, came into my room for cuddles last night around 11 pm. I should’ve already been asleep but the solitaire on my phone wasn’t gonna play itself, ya know...

Why men leave their dying wives

Why Men Leave Their Dying Wives - Catholic HeraldMILLS: Someone close to me cares for his terminally ill wife. He was shocked when a nurse complimented him on coming with her to her treatment. It seemed the obvious thing to do if you could do it. The nurse explained that many husbands wouldn’t do that — not couldn’t, wouldn’t. Many husbands, she said, left their wives or even divorced them, or in some lesser way disengaged.

Maybe I’m the problem

Maybe%20I%u2019m%20The%20ProblemCLARK: Born on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1347, Saint Catherine of Siena died at the age of thirty-three—the same age as her Savior at his death. She lived during a time of widespread disease, despair, and debauchery, yet, when the young Catherine Benincasa looked for answers as to why such suffering was occurring in the world, she pointed to an unlikely source: herself.

Recognizing the beloved — the Prodigal Son in modern life

Recognizing the Beloved - by Tim Clark - Between The PawsTIMCLARK: I love the small details in these images. First, in "The Departure" notice the elder son is disinterested in the pain his father is undergoing by losing his younger son. He is in his father's house physically, but not in spirit—half of his body is outside the house and not near his father as it should be. Notice the hands and the eyes of the father and son.

The Vatican trial: History is a spiral

The Vatican trial: History is a spiral - by JD Flynn - The PillarJDFLYNN: We’ve talked about the looming possibility of a Vatican financial crimes trial for the past several months, and we’ve been asked frequently just who among the rotating cast of characters has a chance of doing serious jail time — and whether Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, will face accusations of his own.

Historic Vatican indictments raise as many questions as they answer

Historic Vatican indictments raise as many questions as they answerALLEN: Toward the end of this week, rumors made the rounds in the Vatican press corps that Friday would be a venerdi di fuoco, meaning a day of fire. Friday came and went without sparks, so we breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out to be short-lived, however, because Saturday brought a blaze which, depending on what happens next, could burn out of control.

What kind of surgery did Pope Francis have?

What kind of surgery did Pope Francis have?: Pope Francis has had surgery to remove part of his left colon in what the Vatican has described as a planned procedure. Doctors say the bowel problems that the 84-year-old pope was experiencing are very common in older people, although only about 10 percent to 20 percent of people with similar problems require surgery.

Churches burning, Satan out in the open: Overplaying his hand?

Churches burning, Satan out in the open: Overplaying his hand? | Catholic CultureMIRUS: Yesterday’s news story that two more Catholic churches have been burned down on indigenous land in British Columbia is just one more example of the increasing overt hatred and mockery of the Catholic Church. The unholy litany continued today with a vandalized cathedral in Saskatchewan and a bomb in a Catholic church in the Democratic Republic of Congo...

All is grace — even in suffering

All is grace - even in suffering - Our Sunday VisitorANTONETTI: Circumstances in my own life have resonated with the big question that all of us who love the Faith and see people leaving the Church go back to over and over again: How do we help arrange the introduction of Christ to others? We all know that the key way is by our own witness, but what does that look like? How do we prepare the soil? What is it that we’re missing when we seek to be evangelizers of the world?

‘Major victory’ for pro-lifers as attempt to introduce abortion up to birth in England and Wales fails

%u2018Major%20victory%u2019%20for%20pro-lifers%20as%20attempt%20to%20introduce%20abortion%20up%20to%20birth%20in%20England%20and%20Wales%20fails: A pro-life group said Monday that the failure of an attempt to introduce abortion on demand up to birth in England and Wales marked “a major victory for the unborn child.” The charity Right To Life said July 5 that the Labour Party MP Diana Johnson decided not to take her amendment, known as NC55, to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Pope Francis to spend week recovering in Gemelli Hospital after intestinal surgery

Pope Francis to spend week recovering in hospital after intestinal surgery: Pope Francis is expected to spend the next week in hospital as he recovers from intestinal surgery, according to the Vatican. “His Holiness Pope Francis is in good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists on July 5.

Pope taken to Gemelli Hospital, will undergo surgery for diverticulitis

Pope Francis to Undergo Surgery on Colon for Diverticulitis| National Catholic Register: Pope Francis is at a Rome hospital Sunday to undergo surgery to relieve stricture of the colon caused by diverticulitis, the Holy See Press Office stated. The statement said the Pope was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in the afternoon July 4 for the scheduled operation, which will be performed by Dr. Sergio Alfieri. The Vatican said it would make another statement at the conclusion of the surgery.

Cardinal Becciu and 9 associates to be tried by the Vatican for financial crimes

Breaking: Cardinal Becciu, associates, to be tried for financial crimes - by The Pillar - The Pillar: Cardinal Angelo Becciu will face a courtroom this month, as Vatican prosecutors have filed charges against ten individuals in a sprawling Vatican financial scandal under investigation for two years. Indictments were announced July 3. Trial will begin this month, the Vatican press office said Saturday.

Report: Secretariat of State official paid by Swiss bank for Vatican accounts

Report: Secretariat of State official paid by Swiss bank for Vatican accounts: A suspended Secretariat of State official was paid a side fee by a Swiss bank for bringing in Vatican investment funds, according to an Italian media report.

French archbishop says decision to expel FSSP was made in anticipation of new papal decree

French Archbishop to Expel Traditional Priestly Fraternity in Anticipation of New Papal Decree| National Catholic RegisterPENTIN: A French archbishop who plans to expel a traditional priestly fraternity from his diocese because they won’t concelebrate Masses has said he took the decision in anticipation of a new decree, or motu proprio, that Pope Francis is reported to be preparing to publish...