From Canada: It would be inappropriate for a person intent on assisted suicide to request the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, said Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast. “Asking your priest to be present to something that is in direct contradiction to our Catholic values is not fair to the pastor,” Prendergast said. “Of course a pastor will try and dissuade a patient from requesting suicide and will pray with them and their family, but asking him to be present is... Read more
An interesting analysis from The New York Times this morning: In the cage fight of American presidential politics, the matchup is irresistible: Pope Francis, leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, the pope of the poor who has knelt to wash the feet of prisoners and Muslims, versus Donald J. Trump, billionaire Republican who disparages Muslims and kneels to no one. When Francis suggested that Mr. Trump “is not Christian” in answering a reporter’s question during his return flight... Read more
More details are emerging about the Jubilee weekend scheduled for May 27-29. I received an email not long ago from the Rev. Geno Sylva, from the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, with this news: We are delighted that for the Jubilee for Deacons, Cardinal Pell (Prefect for the Secretariat for the Economy) and Cardinal Turkson (President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace) have graciously agreed to each present a catechesis to the English speaking... Read more
Details: The microcephaly outbreak in Brazil, which coincided with the spread of the Zika virus, continues to stun the world, even months after the incident was first reported. Pregnant women all over the world have been advised to take caution. The Zika virus infection has been linked to newborn babies with the birth defect microcephaly. This is a congenital condition in which babies are born with unusually tiny heads. The notion, however, has recently been challenged by a group of... Read more
From The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson has issued a letter calling on parishes to seek alternatives to Girl Scouts, arguing that the program and related organizations conflict with Roman Catholic teaching. The Archdiocese of St. Louis isn’t directly kicking Girl Scout troops and activities off church properties, but is suggesting they and their cookies may no longer be welcome in the fold. “Girl Scouts is exhibiting a troubling pattern of behavior and it is clear to... Read more
From The Georgia Bulletin: The Archdiocese of Atlanta’s eight new deacons will serve the elderly, the homeless, in hospitals, prisons and other ministries with the ultimate aim of making disciples of all nations. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory celebrated the Mass of ordination to the permanent diaconate Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. The newly ordained deacons are David Barron, Peter Harris, Jack Herndon, Dr. Thomas Kretzmer, Kapya Ngoy, Dr. Robert Perri, Paul Schueth and... Read more
Fr. James Martin explains it all succinctly in The Washington Post: Here are a few things to bear in mind, so as not to exaggerate his words: Pope Francis was responding to a question in an in-flight press conference, during the return leg of a papal trip, when reporters usually focus on the neuralgic issues associated with the recently concluded voyage. In other words, the pope didn’t raise the topic himself; nor did he mention Trump’s name in his answer.... Read more
After battling an awful cold for a couple days earlier in the week—facilitated, in part, by the below-zero temperatures in New York City— I fortified myself with Nyquil and Mucinex and boarded a plane early Thursday that took me to the scene you see above: sunny southern California. It was a welcome shock to my system. I’m feeling much better. I’m here with my colleague Chris Kennedy, from CNEWA’s development office, as part of a pastoral visit to the west... Read more
John Burger has the scoop: The Second Vatican Council described the Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” A parish in the Midwest seems to be demonstrating how the sacrament instituted by the Lord on Holy Thursday is also the source of vocations to the priesthood. When asked why they thought so many young men from Saints Peter and Paul parish in Naperville, Ill., were priests or seminarians, one person after another affiliated with the parish pointed to the parish’s focus... Read more
The order is taking its case to the media—specifically, new media: Little Sisters of the Poor are making their case to the public by launching a new website as they prepare to take their legal battle to the Supreme Court. The Little Sisters are a Catholic organization that provides housing and care for the elderly poor. In accordance to their religious beliefs, they do not provide contraceptives to their female employees, but this violates a regulation stemming from the Affordable Care Act,... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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