Big news, from CNA: The Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked a California law requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to post information on programs to obtain a free or low-cost abortion. The 5-4 ruling in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra sent the case back to a lower court to be reconsidered, in light of the Supreme Court’s finding that “We hold that petitioners are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the FACT Act violates... Read more
Here’s something many people may not know about, via Politico: Republicans have quietly imposed a new tax on churches, synagogues and other nonprofits, a little-noticed and surprising change that could cost some groups tens of thousands of dollars. Their recent tax-code rewrite requires churches, hospitals, colleges, orchestras and other historically tax-exempt organizations to begin paying a 21 percent tax on some types of fringe benefits they provide their employees. That could force thousands of groups that have long had little... Read more
It’s so simple and do-able, you have to wonder why more churches don’t try this. Wales is now the least-religious part of the United Kingdom. As Sherry Weddell noted, when she posted this on Facebook: In 1904, the country was swept by a great evangelical revival that closed down the pubs and resulted in large parts of the country where children grew up not knowing anyone who wasn’t a believing, practicing Christian. But even in Wales, God has no grandchildren.... Read more
Thanks to Deacon Jack Shea for sending along these snapshots of The Big Event held Saturday. You can read more about the men ordained here. The new deacons range in age from 37 (!) to 69 (!) — continuing what I sense is a trend toward younger candidates answering the call. Additional details as I receive them. Congratulations, brothers and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more
Some may remember this story from last spring: The Rev. C. Frank Phillips, founder of a religious order of men and pastor at the storied St. John Cantius Catholic Parish, was removed last week by the Archdiocese of Chicago amid an investigation into allegations of improper conduct with adult men, according to church officials. Now, there’s an update: The religious superior of Father C. Frank Phillips, former pastor of St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago, told the parish Sunday that... Read more
Here’s part of an excellent homily delivered Saturday at the ordination of priests by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore: [St.] Paul’s life was an open book and if you wish to have enduring priestly joy and fruitfulness in ministry, your lives also must be an open book, marked by transparency and deep inner integrity. The way to such integrity for you, for me, and for us all is sound spiritual direction and the worthy and frequent use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A... Read more
What?! Details: A minister who was to the forefront of the campaign to legalize abortion stepped up to ‘say Mass’ in her local parish over the weekend after a priest failed to show. Culture Minister Josepha Madigan was scheduled to give a reading at her regular Saturday evening Mass but ended up taking a more central role, the Irish Independent can reveal. The Dublin Rathdown TD offered to lead the prayer in front of several hundred people at the Church... Read more
From Archbishop Gregory Aymond’s Facebook page: I had the humble privilege to ordain 22 men to the Permanent Diaconate to minister to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. God has called these men to serve at the table, to serve and not be served, and act with charity in humble service of the people of God. May God bless them, their wives, and their families and we give thanks to God for their yes to this ministry for our local church.... Read more
The Rev. Martin Fox from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati responds to last week’s news on his blog—and it’s worth your time. Powerful and challenging and real: Priests are men, prone to all temptations. Greed is surely a temptation, as is unholy ambition. So is the desire for approval. I am tempted to laziness, to seeking too many comforts, to gluttony, to pride and wrath and arrogance, and to lust. The story goes around of a man in confession asking the... Read more
Another favorite of mine, this meditative communion hymn is a great choice for this Sunday, celebrating the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Written by Martin Willett, it has a haunting quality that stays with you. Read more
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The Deacon's Bench
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