SNAP seeks charges against the pope, Vatican at The Hague

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details, from the AP: Clergy sex abuse victims upset that no high-ranking Roman Catholic leaders have been prosecuted for sheltering guilty priests brought their claims Tuesday to the International Criminal Court, seeking an investigation of the pope and top Vatican cardinals for possible crimes against humanity. The Center for Constitutional Rights, a New York-based nonprofit legal group, requested the inquiry on behalf of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, arguing that the global church has maintained a “long-standing... Read more

How do you say "Thank you" to the world?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

How about giving presents to strangers? That’s what happens here, and it’s delightful. Watch. Read more

What did you hear?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Borrowing a page from Amy Welborn, I’m curious to hear what your experience was like at yesterday’s Mass. The anniversary was emotional and packed with a lot of complicated feelings. And the scriptures, as any preacher will tell you, were especially challenging. Someone in my office, who lives in a parish that lost several first responders on 9/11, told me that his pastor spoke about…abortion. Specifically, forgiveness after abortion, and the life of Dr. Bernard Nathanson. What did they talk... Read more

A thought for 9/12: “Let there be light”

Last updated on: September 12, 2011 at 9:59 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

[Yesterday, I was invited to preach at an interfaith memorial service at C.W. Post University on Long Island. There were prayers from three faith traditions — Jewish, Christian and Muslim. Below is a portion of my remarks for the occasion. — Dcn. G.] Late on September the 12th, the subways and trains were running again, and the tunnels were reopened, and I was finally able to leave Manhattan. Around 7 pm, I headed home to Queens. I was walking up... Read more

Report: treatment of Muslims today similar to Catholics and Mormons of 19th century

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A new study finds that many Americans remain uncomfortable with Islam and believe its teachings are at odds with American values — which, ironically, echoes in some ways how Americans felt about Catholics a century or so ago. Details from CNS: Slim majorities of the people polled this summer by the Public Religion Research Institute say Muslims are an important part of the U.S. religious community and that they are comfortable with Muslim women wearing burqas or Muslim men praying... Read more

A thought for 9/12: "Let there be light"

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:20 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

"God of Our Fathers"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I can’t think of a better way to close this day. This was sung as our recessional hymn at all the Masses this Sunday. Here, doing it to perfection, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. God of our fathers, whose almighty hand Leads forth in beauty all the starry band Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies: Our grateful songs before your throne arise. Your love divine has led us in the past; In this free land by you our lot... Read more

Praying through the storm

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Diane over at Te Deum laudamus comes this beautiful report and photo gallery about a pro-life Mass and march by the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, taking place one day before the 9/11 anniversary — and serving, I think, as a timely reminder of the value of all life. Above, dozens of marchers trek through a late summer downpour to pray outside an abortion mill in suburban Detroit. Read more

Vocations born out of the ashes of 9/11

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Over at Our Sunday Visitor, Mary DeTurris Poust offers portraits of three people who answered a call to vocation in the aftermath of 9/11, including newly ordained Deacon Paul Carris. Details: When Paul Carris went to work on the 71st floor of One World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, he never could have imagined he’d save a life that morning and in the process plant the seeds of a religious vocation that would rise from the choking ash of... Read more

Sunrise over New York: 9/11/11

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Photo: Librado Romero/The New York Times Read more