Details, from the New York Daily News: A Catholic priest removed from the ministry ten years ago for sexually abusing young girls has found another job — with the TSA. Thomas Harkins, once a priest at churches throughout South Jersey, now works as a TSA supervisor at the Philadelphia International Airport, CBS Philly reports. He was forced to leave the church in 2002, when the Diocese of Camden found him guilty of sexually abusing two young girls. Now, a third alleged... Read more
That’s the bitter assessment of one Ruthenian Catholic priest, and it provoked an interesting essay in First Things on a subject we in the Latin Rite don’t hear about very much: Gathered for their ad limina, Eastern Catholic bishops from the U.S. were addressed last week by Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Leonardo Cardinal Sandri. His injunction—made not about abortion, the HHS mandate, war, wealth redistribution, or gay marriage—could have a critical influence on the Christian response... Read more
She delivered the controversial commencement speech at Boston College today. Details: Victoria Reggie Kennedy called on Boston College law graduates Friday to seek change and justice by uniting people, invoking a practice she said her late husband Edward M. Kennedy embraced as a senator for 46 years. Kennedy did not touch upon how another Catholic school, Anna Maria College, had rescinded an invitation for her to speak at its spring commencement amid pressure from a bishop, who said some of... Read more
[Click here for the readings] If you had to name one of the most quoted speeches of the 20th century, one near the top of any list would be the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy in 1961, with his call: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Earlier in that same speech, he alerted the world that change was in the air, a generational shift, saying that the “torch... Read more
According to some geologists, hat may be the date when Jesus was crucified. And here’s how they know: The International Geology Review investigated an earthquake that was said to have occurred the same date as Jesus’ crucifixion; which was most likely Friday April 3, 33 A.D. In Gospel of of Matthew, Chapter 27 says: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn... Read more
It just may be one of the largest classes in the country this year, and the Catholic Post has details: In the moments before his ordination to the permanent diaconate last Saturday, Deacon Tom Gainey lay face down on the floor of St. Mary’s Cathedral with 28 of his classmates. As the assembly that filled every corner of St. Mary’s Cathedral chanted the Litany of the Saints, the candidate from Mary, Our Lady of Peace Parish in Orion was taking... Read more
It just may be one of the largest classes in the country this year, and the Catholic Post has details: In the moments before his ordination to the permanent diaconate last Saturday, Deacon Tom Gainey lay face down on the floor of St. Mary’s Cathedral with 28 of his classmates. As the assembly that filled every corner of St. Mary’s Cathedral chanted the Litany of the Saints, the candidate from Mary, Our Lady of Peace Parish in Orion was taking... Read more
[Click here for the readings] If you had to name one of the most quoted speeches of the 20th century, one near the top of any list would be the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy in 1961, with his call: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Earlier in that same speech, he alerted the world that change was in the air, a generational shift, saying that the “torch... Read more
Memorial Day cookouts may never be the same, if this sucker ever gets into the marketplace. Read more
That is how one woman described the historic celebration earlier this month, marking the first African priest ordained for the Diocese of Palm Beach. Read more: Leonard Dim wiped away tears as he witnessed his first-born son, Leonard Onyeukwu Dim, receive the sacrament of holy orders and become the first African priest ordained for the Diocese of Palm Beach. His tears of joy shined upon his smiling face. “I am very happy,” said Dim. “This is a very happy day.”... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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