Questions about Pope Benedict, Viganò, McCarrick and those sanctions

Last updated on: August 31, 2018 at 7:14 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Edward Pentin, who broke the story last week, adds this tidbit today about one of the more persistent problems with the former nuncio’s letter, those “sanctions” that nobody seems able to define or prove. Pentin spoke with “a source close to Benedict,” after numerous reports cited the many public appearances the former cardinal made around the world, seemingly defying the orders from the pope: Asked why Benedict did not issue a stricter instruction seeing as McCarrick had flouted the measures,... Read more

Must-read: ‘Our religion should be known first for how we care for those most in need’

Last updated on: August 31, 2018 at 12:45 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the great Deacon Bill Ditewig, who finds a call to humility and compassion in our present crisis: The word “religion” refers to binding ourselves to God. And the letter of James read this weekend should inspire us all in our reform: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Our religion should be known first and foremost for how... Read more

Prayer request: Jesuit president of University of Scranton reveals he has ALS

Last updated on: August 31, 2018 at 10:04 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Just days ago, you’ll recall, the university announced it was removing the names of some bishops from its buildings, in response to the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report. Now, some sad news from the University of Scranton’s beloved leader: The president of the University of Scranton, the beloved leader who returned to campus this summer after seven years away, revealed Wednesday that he is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. In a video message sent to the campus community, the Rev. Scott R.... Read more

Cardinal Wuerl to his priests: ‘I now ask myself what is the way I can best serve this Church that I, too, much love’

Last updated on: August 31, 2018 at 8:31 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The embattled cardinal archbishop of Washington sent the following letter to his priests, which was published on the Catholic Standard website yesterday: (Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, sent the following letter to priests on August 30, 2018. In an email to which the letter was linked, the cardinal noted, “In this time of so much distress and pain, I send you this letter in the hope that it might tell you of my desire to be close to you... Read more

Canadian archbishop: ‘The Church is not this, OK! The Church is not the sum of our faults.’

Last updated on: August 31, 2018 at 6:42 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Canada’s The Catholic Register newspaper: Even as he faces another sex abuse case in his own diocese, Archbishop Anthony Mancini is not afraid of going bankrupt. “The truth is what finally sets you free, not the BS they keep mouthing and saying. If there are other people (abuse victims) there, let them come out. Is it going to bankrupt the diocese? If it does, it does. So what?” The case the archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth is talking about involves Jesuit... Read more

Seminarians served as assistants to McCarrick after retirement

Last updated on: August 30, 2018 at 4:31 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNA: The Archdiocese of Washington has confirmed that seminarians were permitted to serve as assistants to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick while the archbishop was being investigated for the alleged sexual abuse of a teenager. In 2011, McCarrick moved from a parish rectory to a house adjacent to the seminary of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), a religious order, in Chillum, Md., within the Washington archdiocese. According to two former IVE seminarians on campus at the time, McCarrick lived in a separate house... Read more

President of Ave Maria University issues statement strongly supporting Pope Francis

Last updated on: August 30, 2018 at 2:17 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This was released yesterday, from the school’s president Jim Towey: There is nothing new about the rift between Pope Francis and some conservative members of the Church hierarchy. The battle lines seemed to have formed five years ago shortly after the Pope ascended to the chair of Saint Peter. In 2013 in his first major publication, The Joy of the Gospel, the Pope described confreres who “ultimately trust only in their own powers and feel superior to others because they... Read more

Catholic judge speaks of ‘sanctity of life’—and then imposes death penalty

Last updated on: August 30, 2018 at 11:32 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Via The Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker sent serial killer Anthony Kirkland to Ohio’s death row Tuesday, saying it was the right thing to do for legal and theological reasons. The reference to theology came weeks after Pope Francis strengthened the Catholic church’s opposition to the death penalty, declaring it inappropriate under all circumstances. Dinkelacker, who is Catholic, did not directly mention the church’s position, but his comments during Kirkland’s sentencing included comments about theology and “the... Read more

A priest writes: ‘Be angry. Be sad. Be disgusted. But do it rightly.’

Last updated on: August 30, 2018 at 10:30 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The terrific Father Goyo Hidalgo from Simi Valley, California, posted this on his Facebook page. I think it deserves wider circulation: To all those who keep on telling me, “You ALL priests knew about the scandals and did nothing.” -NO, we didn’t. I didn’t. I have never known and I am not a naive person. In fact, I didn’t even know who McCarrick was until I heard of his horrible crimes. -NO, I have never ever seen any of these... Read more

‘Getcher hot news now!’

Last updated on: August 30, 2018 at 9:15 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A couple weeks ago, a parishioner who follows this blog asked me if she could sign up to get an alert every time I post a new story. Well, beginning today, the answer is “Yes!” Patheos is experimenting with this system and trying it out here at The Deacon’s Bench. If you scroll down the page, you’ll find this little icon on the lower right corner of the screen. Click on the button and you will be notified when a... Read more