Clearance sale: all Benedict merchandise must go!

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

If you’re wondering how gift shops and purveyors of Catholic kitsch are handling the coming papal transition, here’s one answer: Commemorative tchotchkes will be ready not long after we hear “Habemus Papam” from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Until then, Pope Benedict XVI merchandise must go. Nelson Fine Art & Gifts, a manufacturer of Roman Catholic accouterments in Steubenville, Ohio, has consulted theologians to come up with its own short list ofpapabili, or wannabe popes, to speed the manufacturing... Read more

Cardinal Roger Mahony, scapegoat

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

In his own words: [Fr. Ron Rolheiser] calls our suffering what it really is: painful and public humiliation, which is spiritually a grace-opportunity. I have tried to live out–poorly and inadequately far too often–his two implications of humiliation: 1. the acceptance of being scapegoated, pointing out the necessary connection between humiliation and redemption; 2. this scandal is putting us, the clergy and the church, where we belong–with the excluded ones; Jesus was painted with the same brush as the two thieves... Read more

Posthumous Medal of Honor for Fr. Emil Kapaun, candidate for sainthood

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

Very good news, from Kansas: Emil Kapaun, a priest from Kansas celebrated for his actions during the Korean War and in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, will be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama, the nation’s highest military award for bravery Former Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt of Goddard called The Eagle on Friday and sent a note he had received from an officer in the Pentagon about preparations for a White House ceremony April 11. Tiahrt... Read more

Maryland bill would allow citizens to pick their own gender

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

From my home state, some facepalm-inducing legislation, courtesy Mark Shea: Senate Bill 449 would remove male and female as the two forms of being human and replace that with a self-determined gender identity. According to the bill: “GENDER IDENTITY” MEANS A GENDER–RELATED IDENTITY, APPEARANCE, EXPRESSION, OR BEHAVIOR OF AN INDIVIDUAL REGARDLESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL’S ASSIGNED SEX AT BIRTH. In other words, under this bill, men can claim a female identity and must be allowed into women’s restrooms and locker rooms. Businesses cannot prevent employees... Read more

Pope’s Twitter account to be closed—UPDATED

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

And a brief, bright era in new media comes to an end. Let’s hope his successor will have his own account: At the same time as Pope Benedict XVI leaves office on February 28, his Twitter presence as @Pontifex will also come to an end, according to Vatican Radio. The news may come as a sad blow to the more than 2 million people who’ve signed up to follow his tweets in nine languages since his account was launched with fanfare two-and-a-half months ago.... Read more

Vatican slams resignation “gossip” in media

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

From the BBC: The Vatican’s chief spokesperson has criticised the media for reporting “misinformation” about the Church. Father Federico Lombardi said some were trying to profit from a time of disorientation in the Catholic Church to spread “gossip” and “slander”. Father Lombardi made the comments in an editorial on the Vatican radio website. Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, the first by a pope in nearly 600 years, takes effect on Thursday. His decision surprised many within the Church. There have been... Read more

British cardinal argues for married priests—UPDATED

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

Details: Roman Catholic priests should be allowed to marry and have children, Britain’s most senior Catholic cleric said Friday. Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who heads the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, said the requirement for priestly celibacy is “not of divine origin” and could be reconsidered. He told BBC Scotland that “the celibacy of the clergy, whether priests should marry — Jesus didn’t say that.” He said that “many priests have found it very difficult to cope with celibacy,” and while... Read more

FYI: Catholic teaching on the “morning-after” pill and rape

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

With the controversy swirling around the German bishops story yesterday, a deacon reader thought it would be helpful to lay out church teaching on this subject. Here, from the National Catholic Bioethics Center: The “morning-after” pill, also known as “Plan B,” is often provided in hospital emergency rooms to women who have been sexually assaulted. It is typically used within 72 hours of the rape, and appears to prevent pregnancy in one of two ways. First, it can prevent ovulation... Read more

Richmond bishop issues directive on unique Anglican-Roman Catholic community

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

You may remember this story from last fall Now, an update: Diocese of Richmond Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo has issued a directive to a one-of-its-kind Virginia Beach church to bring its liturgical celebrations, primarily the Mass, into conformity with the universal Roman Catholic Church. At the same time, he has offered options for additional combined worship and prayer services that would affirm the unique character of the 35-year-old ecumenical community. Bishop DiLorenzo met Thursday evening with the two priests and... Read more

Split: Survey shows U.S. Catholics hoping for change, yet embracing tradition

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

From the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: As the pontificate of Benedict XVI winds down, many American Catholics express a desire for change. For example, most U.S. Catholics say it would be good if the next pope allows priests to marry. And fully six-in-ten Catholics say it would be good if the next pope hails from a developing region like South America, Asia or Africa. At the same time, many Catholics also express appreciation for the traditions of... Read more