What is Benedict discussing with the U.S. bishops?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Some insight on recent ad limina visits, from John Allen: Predictably, Pope Benedict XVI’s own priorities — the push for a “new evangelization,” meaning outreach to lapsed Catholics, and the defense of religious freedom — have figured prominently. Yet a variety of other issues have also surfaced, including: The sexual abuse crisis; American debates over marriage and the family; The new translation of the Catholic Mass; The state of Catholic schools, hospitals and charities; Parish closings; Vocations and seminary life;... Read more

A few more things about Voris and RealCatholic TV…

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Canon lawyer Ed Peters today follows up on his post from earlier this week and addresses a couple more questions, including one that a lot of people have raised: What about every other use of the word ‘Catholic’ out there? The question rests on a multitude of scenarios, of course, and I can’t address them all, but here are a few preliminary points. 1. Like her Founder, the Catholic Church has precious few “tools” with which to carry on her... Read more

Sweden recognizes file-sharing as an official religion

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I mean…seriously? From the BBC: A “church” whose central tenet is the right to file-share has been formally recognised by the Swedish government. The Church of Kopimism claims that “kopyacting” – sharing information through copying – is akin to a religious service. The “spiritual leader” of the church said recognition was a “large step”. But others were less enthusiastic and said the church would do little to halt the global crackdown on piracy. The Swedish government agency Kammarkollegiet finally registered... Read more

Stephen Colbert: “The deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

“I’m not bitter about what happened to me as a child, and my mother was instrumental in keeping me from being so. She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that’s directly related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain — it’s that the pain is... Read more

I’d like to thank the Academy…

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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Actually, I’d like to just thank Marcel LeJeune, the wizard who runs the Aggie Catholics blog and who has, to my wonderment, included me on his annual list of Top 20 Catholic Bloggers. I’m humbled to be in such exalted company — check out the list and visit their blogs — and I’m grateful for the props. And now I have one of these little badges, to boot: Thanks, Marcel — and Happy New Year from The Bench! (If Marcel... Read more

A Catholic “Undercover Boss”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’m a fan of the show, and can’t wait ’til it comes back this winter. (I preached about it a couple years ago, in fact.) But this episode, airing in late January, sounds like something to see: Dina Dwyer-Owens, CEO of the Dwyer Group, a collection of home service franchises, donned a wig, pearls and blue jeans to check in on her employees for an upcoming episode of the CBS reality series “Undercover Boss.” And, by and large, she liked... Read more

Before Zavala, there was Marino

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

While I was talking with a deacon friend this afternoon about the Zavala bombshell in Los Angeles, he reminded me of the case of Atlanta Archbishop Eugene Marino, who found himself in similar circumstances over 20 years ago. From the Georgia Bulletin: Archbishop Marino was the ranking African-American member of the Catholic hierarchy when he stepped aside as archbishop of Atlanta in May 1990, stating that he was suffering from exhaustion and stress. He submitted his resignation to the pope... Read more

“Stayin’ Alive” — and savin’ a life

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From our friends across the pond: how to do CPR in under two minutes — and with a catchy tune, to boot! Read more

“Priest accused” struggles to clear his name

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

He was cleared of charges against him — but hasn’t had much luck having his reputation cleared, as well. Details: In 2005, as the Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis continued to grab headlines all over America, even the St. Raphael-Holy Angels parish was not immune to scandal. One of their own priests was accused of improperly touching a young girl. Among parishioners, there was anger, confusion, despair. A tragedy playing out in communities across the country had now spread to... Read more

Hard time: convict flees monastery, asks to be sent back to prison instead

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Well, clearly, religious life isn’t for everybody: A convicted criminal who was serving out his sentence in a monastery has escaped for the second time and asked to be sent back to prison because life was too tough. Thief David Catalano, 31, was sent to a Santa Maria degli Angeli community run by Capuchin monks in Sicily last November. But he found their austere lifetstyle too tough to handle and soon escaped. After a short while on the run he... Read more