KC update: vicar general was once accused of harassing a young man — UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The sad story of the troubles in Kansas City has taken a new twist: The Catholic official who oversees sex abuse complaints against priests in the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, has himself been accused of past sexual improprieties. A Kansas City man wrote the bishop of the diocese four years ago, alleging sexual harassment in 1984 by the Rev. Robert Murphy, a priest who is now vicar general. Brian Heydon, a licensed professional counselor, said Murphy exposed himself and propositioned... Read more

The astonishing story of a woman who forgave her son's killer

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

But that’s just the beginning. When I saw this on “The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley” the other night, it floored me. Want to see the power of forgiveness? Here. Read more

Quote of the day

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

“Priests who engage in lewd conversations with teenagers are suspended from ministry for committing a ‘boundary violation,’ and are charged with sexual abuse. But Rep. Anthony Weiner can send pornographic images of himself to young girls and he is free as a bird. Indeed, the majority of New Yorkers say he should not resign… …If the guilty party were Rev. Weiner, he would be sanctioned by the Catholic Church’s “zero tolerance” policy. But because he is Rep. Weiner, there are... Read more

In Detroit, "two competing visions of the Church's future"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The Archbishop has warned priests and deacons that they face severe penalties if they participate in a controversial conference this weekend in Detroit. But that hasn’t stopped lay organizers from continuing with their plans. Details: Calling for more democracy within the Catholic Church, liberal Catholics from around the world are coming to Detroit this weekend for a conference to help revitalize what they say is an archaic institution in need of reform. Sponsored by the American Catholic Council, an organization... Read more

Thank you very much!

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Well, 52 years ago yesterday, I was pulled screaming into the world. Last night, I stopped screaming long enough to have pie. A lot of people made a fuss — see here and here — and I got a TON of emails and messages on Facebook. I can’t possibly respond to every one individually, but I thought I’d post the little tune below by way of offering my giddy gratitude. Thank you very much! Read more

KC follow-up: "Jim decided that he could not just go through the motions of the ordination rite…"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Following the news I posted yesterday, about the deacon candidate who withdrew from his scheduled ordination, a reader alerted me to this posting below — the remarks the candidate’s pastor made at mass last weekend: Jim decided that he could not just go through the motions of the ordination rite in which he would have to kneel before the Bishop and promise to respect and obey a person he no longer had respect for. And I say better that this... Read more

Ordination update: 19 new deacons in Philadelphia

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:26 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

And the numbers continue to grow. Welcome, brothers! Details, from the Catholic Standard & Times: The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul was jammed June 4, as family, friends, clergy and fellow parishioners turned out for the ordination by Cardinal Justin Rigali of 19 men for the permanent diaconate. Preaching at a ceremony strikingly similar to the May 21 ordination of three men as priests, he told the new deacons theirs was “a special service to the people of... Read more

A pagan converts after asking, "What if it were all true?"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here name is Christie, described as a convert from New Age philosophy and Neopaganism. Read her account of what led her to the Catholic Church, and marvel anew at the ways God works: I was an arrogant fool sitting in on my very first Mass and watching it like I’d watch a National Geographic nature film. I was analyzing away, “Those pews are so phallic, who are they kidding that this isn’t all about a patriarchy?” when I heard something Jewish.... Read more

Flashback: the world's first Ronald McDonald commercial

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Eons ago, when the family television was a grainy box with three stations and rabbit ears, my mother made me put on a blazer and tie and took me down to the local NBC-TV studios in Washington, DC to appear, with about a dozen other kids, as an extra on an obscure and short-lived TV show starring Ronald McDonald. (I think it was called “The Ronald McDonald Show,” but I’m not sure.) The star, of course, was Ronald himself, played... Read more

Slap-happy

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Were you slapped at your confirmation? We don’t do that anymore and, in this week’s All Things New, I wonder if we need to bring back the slap: Earlier this month, I was serving as deacon at our parish confirmation in Queens. The bishop anointed each of the kids as they came forward and then—I braced for the slap, waited for it—he extended a palm . . . and shook their hands. And he smiled as he did it.He shook... Read more