Set in stone: Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa added to National Cathedral

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Practicing a dying art, a Catholic stone-carver is adding two great women of the 20th century to the carvings that adorn the National Cathedral in Washington. From the Religion News Service: Six feet above the vaulted entranceway to Washington National Cathedral, the rough contours of Rosa Parks’ face are taking shape. Using a motorized hammer and chiseling tools that date back centuries, stone carver Sean Callahan is patiently working on a new bust of the civil rights heroine. “I have... Read more

Take our bread: electronic giving on the rise at church

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Could the collection plate soon be a thing of the past? From Reuters: Brie Hall felt awkward the first few times she passed the collection basket at her Catholic church without tossing in a donation envelope. But it is more convenient to give her gift to God by direct debit from her checking account. The tradition of passing the church plate might become a relic of the past, as a majority of Americans pay bills electronically and move away from... Read more

Fox rejects "Jesus Hates Obama" ad for Super Bowl

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Every year, it seems, someone creates an outrageous ad that generates gobs of publicity because no one ever sees it on the Super Bowl. It’s happened again this year. Details, from the New York Daily News: Fox has rejected a controversial Super Bowl ad from conservative comedy site JesusHatesObama.com, according to the site’s creator. Richard Belfry insists the proposed 30-second-ad, which depicts bobble-head versions of President Obama and a scowling Jesus, is just a joke. “Do I really believe that... Read more

Lambs of God

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

If you’ve ever wondered just where the wool comes from that is used for the pallium, CNS has the answer: Certain things — such as a bath and getting dressed up — are universal before a personal meeting with the pope, and the rule holds even for lambs. As he does every year, Pope Benedict XVI blessed two little lambs Jan. 21, the feast of St. Agnes. Raised by Trappist monks on the outskirts of Rome, the lambs spent the... Read more

Surge: more Anglican priests preparing to convert

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:31 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Amazing: woman speaks in her own voice after larynx transplant

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Deacons and sex: the four options

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:50 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Finally, a word from the deacon's wife — UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:31 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Alabama's governor: only Christians are his "brothers and sisters"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:50 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Abortion "house of horrors": doctor charged with killing babies with scissors

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:50 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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