December 29, 2019

I wanted to break my silence today, to post something following the horrific attacks in my own backyard, close to where I live. Let us hold all those impacted by this horror close to our hearts in prayer. These words were spoken by St. John Paul II, during a visit to Rome’s synagogue in 1986: Once again, through myself, the Church, in the words of the well-known Declaration Nostra Aetate (No. 4), “deplores the hatred, persecutions, and displays of anti-Semitism directed... Read more

December 4, 2019

This makes a lot of sense. Details:  The beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen was delayed at the request of Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester, according to several sources close to the beatification process. The bishop is reported to have requested the delay due to concerns that Sheen could be cited in the final report covering an ongoing state attorney general’s investigation into New York’s bishops and dioceses. In September, New York’s attorney general began an investigation into whether any of... Read more

December 4, 2019

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Robert Redford and the Holy Father. Rome Reports has an interesting roundup of celebrities who have lined up to meet him — and, in some cases, even kiss his ring. Read more

December 4, 2019

Details:  About 8 percent of all Muslim Americans adults are Latino, according to a 2017 report from the Pew Research Center, increasing by about a third from 2011. In interviews, Latino converts said they are drawn to Islam because of the intense devotion to God, a simplicity in faith and a focus on community that they failed to find in their former faith. But their conversion often is not easy, as they break ties with family and their Christian upbringing. They are also choosing the faith... Read more

December 4, 2019

The Vatican announced it today, as expected:  The Holy Father accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Buffalo (USA), presented by HE Msgr. Richard J. Malone and appointed Apostolic Administrator vacant seat of the same diocese HE Msgr. Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany. The press release from Albany: Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo following the resignation of Bishop Richard J. Malone on Dec. 4. The appointment is effective immediately. Bishop Scharfenberger... Read more

December 3, 2019

From CNA:  The scheduled beatification of Ven. Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has been postponed after several U.S. bishops asked that the cause be given more time for examination. The Diocese of Peoria announced the delay on Dec. 3. Archbishop Sheen’s beatification was set to take place on Dec. 21. “With deep regret, Bishop Daniel Jenky, C.S.C, Bishop of Peoria, announces that he has been informed by the Holy See that the beatification of Fulton Sheen will be postponed,”... Read more

December 3, 2019

“I could say a Hail Mary every day for the rest of my life and I’ll never say half the Hail Marys I did in high school.” The former Speaker of the House gave a lengthy interview to America magazine’s Matt Malone that is by turns funny, heartfelt, nostalgic — and very Catholic. He speaks, among other things, about the faith that grounded him: His Catholic faith is one of those things Mr. Boehner has a hard time talking about.... Read more

December 2, 2019

From The Buffalo News:  Bishop Richard J. Malone will request an “early retirement” and exit as head of the Buffalo Diocese, a source told The Buffalo News on Monday, following an earlier report that Pope Francis was expected to accept Malone’s resignation on Wednesday. Malone, 73, has resisted calls for his resignation for more than a year over his handling of a clergy sex abuse crisis that now includes more than 220 lawsuits against the diocese and more than 150... Read more

December 2, 2019

A great story, from Aspen, Colorado:  Christianity is filled with stories of rapid-fire callings to service, such as the blinding-light conversion of Saul as he was on his way to Damascus with a mandate to arrest followers of Jesus. Father Darrick Leier, the new priest at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, had more of a gradual calling in terms of leaving secular life for the priesthood. Leier replaced the Rev. John Hilton as pastor of St. Mary in early... Read more

December 2, 2019

From the Vatican bulletin: The Holy Father has appointed Coadjutor Bishop of San Bernardino (USA) HE Monsignor Alberto Rojas, until now titular Bishop of Marazane and Auxiliary of Chicago. Alberto Rojas was born on 5 January 1965 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Santa Maria de Guadalupe Seminary in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on 24 May 1997. After ordination he was assistant... Read more


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