And they’ll reportedly be bringing hundreds of the faithful with them. From the BBC: Seven Anglican priests and 300 members of six congregations are to join a new section of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Diocese of Brentwood says. The move involves three parishes in Essex, and three in east London. It is the largest known influx to date into the Ordinariate, which Pope Benedict established for Church of England members unhappy over issues such as the ordination of women…. Read more
January 23, 2011
Surge: more Anglican priests preparing to convert
January 23, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
9 Comments
January 22, 2011
Amazing: woman speaks in her own voice after larynx transplant
January 22, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
0 Comments
Miraculous. That’s the only word for this. She’s just the second person to have undergone this surgery. And the result is dramatic — and surprisingly moving. Take a look, and give a listen. Read more
January 20, 2011
Deacons and sex: the four options
January 20, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
34 Comments
In his latest posting, Dr. Peters sums up the current situation and offers four possible options: 1. Deacons and priests, even if married, must observe perfect and perpetual continence. 2. Canon law requires priests, but not deacons, to observe perfect and perpetual continence. 3. Canon law requires priests (and perhaps deacons, mutatis mutandis) to observe only periodic or temporary continence in regard to the celebration of the Eucharist. 4. Neither deacons nor priests, if married, need observe any sort of continence. He… Read more
January 19, 2011
Finally, a word from the deacon's wife — UPDATED
January 19, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
13 Comments
In the keruffle over continence, we’ve heard from canon lawyers and theologians. But one person who hasn’t had too much to say is the deacon’s wife. Until now. Blogger (and deacon wife) Kathy Schiffer adds her two cents: Let me tell you what it’s like to live, day in and day out, with a guy whose faith has led him through five years of graduate study and four years of formation, who was buried in books and saddled with term… Read more
January 19, 2011
Alabama's governor: only Christians are his "brothers and sisters"
January 19, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
12 Comments
I have two words for this: good grief. From FoxNews: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has only been in office three days, but he’s already facing criticism for remarks he made the day of his inauguration. Bentley, a Republican, told a crowd at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church on Monday that if they haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, they are not his brother or his sister. “The governor does not have to be a seasoned politician to understand the… Read more
January 19, 2011
Abortion "house of horrors": doctor charged with killing babies with scissors
January 19, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
6 Comments
He’s charged with numerous counts of murder for performing illegal late-term abortions. Details: A doctor who gave abortions to minorities, immigrants and poor women in a “house of horrors” clinic was charged with eight counts of murder in the deaths of a patient and seven babies who were born alive and then killed with scissors, prosecutors said Wednesday. Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, made millions of dollars over 30 years, performing as many illegal, late-term abortions as he could, prosecutors said…. Read more
January 19, 2011
Quote of the day: "Break the mirrors!"
January 19, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
5 Comments
Words to live by… “Break your mirrors! Yes, indeed — shatter the glass. In our society that is so self-absorbed, begin to look less at yourself and more at each other. Learn more about the face of your neighbor, and less about your own. I suggest this: when you get to be 30, 40, 50, or even 70 years old, you’ll get more happiness and contentment out of counting your friends than counting your dollars. You’ll get more satisfaction from… Read more
January 18, 2011
Deacons and sex: a biblical scholar weighs in
January 18, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
44 Comments
This, from John W. Martens, in AMERICA: The overarching question for me, especially in light of the actual practice of the Church with respect to permanent deacons and the biblical teaching of Paul, is what is at stake in this argument for Ed Peters? What’s the point? What is so troubling about married permanent deacons having sexual relations with their wives? What Ed Peters argues conjures up the ghosts, past, present and future, of a Church that has trouble with… Read more
January 17, 2011
Deacons and sex: the debate continues — UPDATED
January 17, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
15 Comments
After all the sound and fury here and here, I got an email from a deacon who is a canon lawyer, William Finnegan, who noted: While I was studying for my Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL) at Catholic University in the late 80s, I brought up this very question, since I was already ordained as a Permanent Deacon. Rev. James Provost (RIP), a revered canonist, said that the change in status of the husband did not take away the “acquired… Read more
January 16, 2011
More on married deacons abstaining from sex
January 16, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra
47 Comments
Following up on this post, here’s a post post-script, from canon lawyer Edward Peters, at his blog: Dcn. Greg Kandra, webmaster of the respected “Deacon’s Bench” blog, asks: “Does anyone seriously think that tens of thousands of married deacons — not to mention the hundreds of married priests — are now suddenly going to commit to stop having sex? If that’s the case: gentlemen, ask your wives to add more saltpeter to your diet.” I assume Dcn. K’s read my… Read more
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