“We just can’t do business as usual; we just can’t keep the status quo”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s Washington’s Cardinal Donald Wuerl discussing priorities for the next pope. From Catholic News Service: The man cardinals choose as the next pope must be someone with the requisite energy and mastery of modern communications media to promote a revival of the faith in increasingly secular societies around the world, said Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington. The cardinal, who will vote in the upcoming papal election, spoke with Catholic News Service hours after arriving in Rome Feb. 25. “The secularism that... Read more

“I am a Catholic priest,” she declared

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

California blogger Marissa Nichols writes of a surprising encounter she had not long ago with the woman who spoke those words: First, to her credit, she was participating in 40 Days for Life. How rare or cool is that? I thought all “women priests” despised Paul the VI’s Humanae Vitae and were all for “choice” (at least, if they were anything like the Leadership Conference for Women Religious’s higher ups whom I’ve often opined to be on the same level.) At first, unsure why... Read more

What’s wrong with giving out blessings during communion? —UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Lots. Especially if the one doing the blessing is a lay person. Fr. Z rants about it again this morning. I posted on this topic last year. With Easter approaching, and more people crowding into churches (and more EMHCs likely being pressed into duty), it’s worth revisiting this thorny issue. As a priest mentioned last year: A priest does not have the authority to add a blessing to the liturgy for anyone, because a priest does not have the authority... Read more

Latin America hopes to have greater voice in picking the pope

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Los Angeles Times: Next month, 19 cardinals from Latin America will be among the 117 from around the world expected to be eligible to participate in the secret meetings to choose a replacement for Pope Benedict XVI. And though the chances for a Latin American pope being elected are a long shot, regional leaders are hoping to have more influence than before both in the selection process and in addressing many of the major problems facing the church in... Read more

Pope changes rules to allow for early conclave

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Via CNS: In his last week as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules for conclaves, including a clause that allows the College of Cardinals to move up the date for the beginning of the conclave to elect his successor. However, the cardinals cannot set the date until after the pope leaves office Feb. 28. Pope Benedict also defined the exact penalty — automatic excommunication — that would be incurred by any noncardinal assisting the College of Cardinals who failed... Read more

BREAKING: Cardinal O’Brien resigns

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from the BBC: Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, is stepping down as the Archbishop of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh. It follows allegations – which he contests – of inappropriate behaviour towards priests dating from the 1980s. The Vatican is expected to confirm Pope Benedict has accepted his resignation. The cardinal is not now expected to take part in the election for a successor to the Pope – leaving Britain unrepresented in the election. Cardinal O’Brien... Read more

Catholicism’s explosive growth in Africa: “The church…is protector, feeder, healer.”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The New York Times looks at the continent that some think could be the home of the next pope: The young woman slept soundly on the cool marble floor before the altar, a break from the chaos at home. In the courtyard, neighborhood teenagers filled giant jerrycans with purified water from a stone fountain. In an aisle, a rail-thin young woman from a nearby slum said she had not eaten since yesterday but was expecting sustenance here. Behind its high... Read more

“He’d make a great pope—someday”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the common thinking about a personal favorite of mine among the papabile: a man dubbed the “Great Asian Hope,” the very young (55) Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila. John Allen has this overview of his life and work, and shares some great stories about him: In the Imus diocese, Tagle was famous for not owning a car and taking the bus to work every day, describing it as a way to combat the isolation that sometimes comes with high... Read more

Benedict’s last Angelus: “The Lord is calling me to ‘climb the mountain'”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The text of the pope’s final Angelus, delivered today: Dear brothers and sisters! On the second Sunday of Lent, the liturgy always presents us with the Gospel of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The evangelist Luke places particular emphasis on the fact that Jesus was transfigured as he prayed: his is a profound experience of relationship with the Father during a sort of spiritual retreat that Jesus lives on a high mountain in the company of Peter, James and John... Read more

Bombshell: Cardinal O’Brien of Scotland accused of “inappropriate behavior” by four priests

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

After making big news Friday, with his call for a married priesthood, Scotland’s Cardinal Keith O’Brien is now making headlines again— and the news is a stunner: Britain’s most senior Catholic clergyman, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, has been reported to the Vatican for inappropriate sexual behaviour. Three priests and one former priest have sent statements to the papal nuncio, Antonio Mennini, about sexual impropriety dating back to 1980. As head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, next week O’Brien will be... Read more