This popped up on my Twitter feed late Monday morning. I have to say, here’s something you don’t see on morning television every day: Anthony Scaramucci offering spiritual advice to fellow Catholic, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on CNN: JUST NOW: “What I would say to Mick is, you’re a good Catholic. Resign. Go to confession, okay? And then let’s rebuild your career from here. “@Scaramucci gives a messages to WH acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.... Read more
From Cincinnati, here’s something different: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church member Katie Zink sat up in the balcony with most of the tween-age kids as usual the day the “big announcement” was revealed. Church staff had kept their secret since June. Even Zink’s husband, who is on the staff, would not tell her what the excitement was about. Senior Pastor Heidi Johns began by asking one member from each family to come up and grab an envelope. “As soon as [Johns] said... Read more
“You are to serve as a pastoral bridge between the shepherds and their flocks.” Details: Bishop McKnight held aloft the chalice containing the Most Precious Blood of Christ. Reflected on its side were four of the five men the bishop had just raised to the order of deacon for the Jefferson City diocese. The fifth was assisting him at the altar and would elevate the Precious Blood with him at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer. At home, at work,... Read more
“My stronghold was my faith.” His name is Sigitas Tamkevicius and he may be one of the most heroic priests you’ve never heard of, with a name almost impossible to pronounce. Sigitas Tamkevicius. Remember that name. He is a man worth remembering. He was born in Lithuania in 1938, and he spent much of his youth resisting Communist persecution. Like all young men from his country, he spent some mandatory time serving in the Soviet army. He was ordained a... Read more
One of the four men charged with drafting the final document for the Amazon Synod spoke out yesterday about two pressing concerns of the synod: the ordination of married men and the role of women in the region. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna gave an interview to Vatican Media: He spoke of how impressed he has been listening to the women and hearing about their decisive role in the villages. “They already do what is possible and what is not even... Read more
The press release: After five years of preparation, 17 men will be ordained by Bishop Kevin Vann as deacons in the Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 19 in Christ Cathedral. This is the first diaconate class to be ordained inside the new Christ Cathedral. The last class of this size was in 1979 with a total of 18 men. Upon their ordination at the invitation-only event, the men will join the 141 existing deacons serving in parishes... Read more
What makes these new Protestant churches more attractive than traditional Roman Catholic churches? There’s been a lot of discussion online about whether or not the Catholic Church should ordain married men to serve as priests in the Amazon. But I think it might be prudent to look at what is happening in that region, and how religious practice there has shifted over the last 50 years or so. I found this overview on a blog at the Center for Latin... Read more
Now I’ve seen everything. Check out the costume below. From this website: Adorn your blessed hound in robes that befit his esteemed position with the California Costumes Holy Hound Pope Dog Costume. This head-turning, high-quality pet costume is an officially-licensed product of Animal Planet. Featuring a printed miter headpiece and a printed robe with detailed stole, this adorable costume will be revered by everyone he meets. A convenient fuzzy fastener closure on the robe and elastic strap on the headpiece makes... Read more
From The Arlington Catholic Herald: Ten years ago, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti was talking to the Catholic chaplain for the Washington Nationals before Mass. The priest was talking about how he needed to find a replacement chaplain because he was too busy. Msgr. Rosssetti — who at that time attended games at RFK Stadium whenever he could — says he “jumped at the chance.” As Catholic chaplain for the Nationals, Msgr. Rossetti, a research professor in pastoral studies, celebrates Mass for the... Read more
Many of the boys knew one another. They often would travel together with McCarrick on fundraising trips. From The Washington Post: Theodore McCarrick, a former D.C. archbishop and cardinal who was defrocked this year amid allegations he sexually abused two minors and sexually harassed seminarians, is facing new accusations that he abused at least seven boys from around 1970 until 1990, according to three sources, including a person with direct knowledge of the claims U.S. church officials sent to the... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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