They’re a landmark in southern California, and they could soon be gone, according to news reports: The state intends to remove three crosses, which have stood for decades and possibly close to a century, from a vista point near Julian because of complaints lodged this summer about the religious symbols being on public property. The crosses are three miles south of town, off state Route 79 on a rocky island surrounded by a circular drive. The area is just east... Read more
It’s the bishops of New Mexico, and they wrote about it yesterday. Details: Allowing undocumented immigrants living in New Mexico to have a driver’s license if they can provide a valid ID is a matter of “mercy, fairness and safety,” said the state’s three Catholic bishops. “We are in favor of allowing individuals without Social Security numbers to obtain licenses provided that they present other acceptable forms of identification, such as a valid passport, consular identification card, or other recognized... Read more
Pilgrims at World Youth Day in Madrid get a peek at the pope. H/T Catholic Vote Read more
They’re called the Charlotte Eagles, the team logo includes a prominent cross, and they proudly say their number one mission is saving souls. Details: With 12 minutes left in the game, the Charlotte Eagles are losing 2-0. The North Carolina humidity hangs thick in the evening air. The home crowd becomes restless as the opposing team’s goalie blocks kick after kick. But the team gets a big break in the 78th minute and scores twice in two minutes against the... Read more
The new edition of the Roman Missal is set to debut in just a few weeks — many parishes will begin using new music settings next month — but a lot of people, evidently, are still in the dark: A new survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University indicates that more than three in four adult Catholics in the United States are not aware that aspects of the English translation of the... Read more
Weeks after making headlines over his appearance at World Youth Day, Michael Voris of RealCatholic TV is in the news again, with reports of new troubles for his organization: Michael Voris, the founder and host of RealCatholicTV, says he was completely unaware of recently discovered troubles within his organization, involving a staff apologist’s sexually explicit writings, and his nonprofit corporation’s loss of legal status two years ago. “I don’t know what the issue is on any of this stuff,” said... Read more
He is that rarity in the Catholic Church: a deaf priest, embarking on an extraordinary ministry that seeks to preach The Word to those who cannot hear. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Father Christopher Klusman stands at the back of St. Roman Catholic Church on Milwaukee’s south side and greets worshippers after the Saturday night Mass. This is no ordinary receiving line. The well-wishers are smiling, beaming even. Some embrace him. Others cry. Few words are spoken. But much is... Read more
That comes straight from the horse’s mouth, as it were — from a former Anglican in the UK who is now a Catholic priest. From the BBC: A married Roman Catholic priest from Burnley has said he believes the church is correct to prefer single celibate clergy in their parishes. Father Paul Blackburn is the most recently ordained priest into the Salford Diocese. He is married with three children. A former Anglican minister, Father Paul embraced Catholicism after growing dissatisfied... Read more
At long last, Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and its magazine ONE (where I serve as Executive Editor) now has its very own blog. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to introduce you to ONE-TO-ONE. It’s still very much a work-in-progress — among other things, we’re hoping to launch an RSS feed in the days ahead — but I think the blog has tremendous potential and will help let more people know about the great work CNEWA is undertaking around... Read more
I tend to spotlight older men entering the priesthood around here, but thanks to The Anchoress, I can turn the spotlight this morning on an older woman — and grandmother — who has found a late vocation as a sister. Take a look: When Sister Shirley Shafranek makes her final profession of vows as a Catholic nun Sunday morning, two of her grandchildren will be gift bearers at the Mass. The 59-year-old mother of three and grandmother of five will... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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