Ordination update: 4 new deacons for Camden

Last updated on: October 26, 2018 at 9:13 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Catholic Star Herald: The Camden Diocese’s new clergymen: Deacon Michael G. Bortnowski, 61, whose home parish is the Catholic Community of Christ our Light, Cherry Hill, works as the business manager at another parish, Saint Charles Borromeo in Sicklerville. Deacon Pedro J. Espinal, 51, of Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral, Camden, is a factory supervisor, Burlington Coat Factory. Deacon Joseph Farro, 56, of Saint Clare of Assisi, Gibbstown, is a retired First Sergeant, New Jersey State Police. Deacon Anthony J.... Read more

What we have come to: insurance company denies coverage for chemo, but will pay for assisted suicide instead

Last updated on: October 25, 2018 at 12:02 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Unbelievable: A terminally ill California woman says her insurance company denied her coverage for chemotherapy treatment but offered to pay for her to kill herself, shortly after California passed a law permitting physician-assisted suicide. Stephanie Packer, a wife and mother of four who was diagnosed with a terminal form of scleroderma, said her insurance company initially indicated it would pay for her to switch to a different chemotherapy drug at the recommendation of her doctors. “For a while, five months... Read more

A woman with the stigmata: the curious case of Teresa Higginson

Last updated on: October 25, 2018 at 9:36 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Chances are you haven’t heard of her — she’s a new name to me — but interest is evidently growing in pursuing this Welsh woman’s cause for canonization. From the Catholic Herald: Teresa Higginson was oblivious to the blood trickling down her neck and on to her white scarf as she emerged from the church where she had been praying. A colleague spotted the stain and quietly advised her to change before returning to teach in a nearby school, later... Read more

Out: Pope removes Memphis Bishop Holley

Last updated on: October 24, 2018 at 9:08 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The ongoing troubles in Memphis continue. From CNA: Pope Francis Wednesday removed Bishop Martin D. Holley from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Memphis and appointed Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville to oversee the diocese until further notice. The Vatican announced Oct. 24 that Pope Francis “has relieved” Bishop Holley “from the pastoral government of the diocese of Memphis” and appointed Archbishop Kurtz temporary apostolic administrator “ad nutum Sanctae Sedis,” meaning “at the disposition of the Holy See.”... Read more

UPDATE: Eparchy says August attack on Byzantine priest never happened; priest placed on leave

Last updated on: October 24, 2018 at 6:46 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

You may remember this story from last summer, which got lots of media attention: Fr. Basil Hutsko was attacked and knocked unconscious this morning in the altar servers sacristy at his parish in Merrillville, Indiana after celebrating Liturgy. The attacker choked him and slammed his head to the ground. Fr. Basil lost consciousness. Before going unconscious Fr. Basil heard the attacker say, “This is for all the kids!” (reference to the clergy sex abuse coverage in the media.) Now, an... Read more

U.S. bishops to gather for retreat in Chicago in January

Last updated on: October 23, 2018 at 10:19 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the USCCB website: At the invitation of Pope Francis, the Bishops of the United States will gather for a spiritual retreat set to take place at Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The bishops will gather in prayer and unity for seven days, from January 2-8, as brothers in the Episcopacy. “The Holy Father has kindly offered the preacher to the Papal Household, Reverend Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap., to serve as the retreat director as we come together... Read more

When Marty met Francis: What Scorsese asked the pope

Last updated on: October 23, 2018 at 5:45 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is something to see — beginning with his first words: “Holy Father, I’ve been making movies for a long time now…” And I love that he mentioned the parish where he grew up, St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in downtown Manhattan. Read more

Must-see: young students surprise school custodian and bring him to tears

Last updated on: October 23, 2018 at 12:27 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is wonderful: Moody Elementary School custodian Eugene Hinton was called into the gymnasium by a teacher to clean up a mess, which was not abnormal for Hinton. What he saw when he entered the gym was beyond what he would have ever suspected. A surprise party was waiting for him as he entered, and his emotional response has been shared over social media nationwide. The party was for National Custodian Day, October 2. Hinton, who has been referred to... Read more

At the Synod: ‘The impression that the Church is ultimately a male Church must be overcome…’

Last updated on: October 23, 2018 at 11:03 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Reuters: They want to vote in major policy meetings. They want Pope Francis to deliver on his promise to put more women in senior positions in the Holy See’s administration. And some of them say they want to be priests. “Knock knock! Who’s there? More than half the Church!” several dozen Catholic women chanted outside the Vatican on Oct. 3, the first day of this year’s synod of bishops from around the world. The role of women in the... Read more

BREAKING: D.C. Attorney General launches investigation into sex abuse by Catholic clergy

Last updated on: October 23, 2018 at 2:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Washington Post: D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine said Tuesday that his office has launched an investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the archdiocese of Washington, the latest in a string of state-level law enforcement officials now probing the Catholic church’s handling of abuse complaints. The investigation, announced by Racine at a regularly-scheduled breakfast among the District’s elected officials, will bring scrutiny to Catholic leaders who have come under intense criticism in recent months. Washington’s archbishop,... Read more