Defying Canon Law, Capuchins Elect Lay Leader

Last updated on: June 19, 2019 at 8:47 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is a big deal: Capuchins aren’t generally known for being on the Church’s avant-garde, but the friars of the Mid-America Province just did something which, technically, they’re not supposed to do according to canon law. And, frankly, they’re pretty proud of it. They elected Brother Mark Shenk, a lay friar, as their provincial minister. The problem lies with Canon 129 Sect.1, which prohibits a lay person from holding jurisdiction over ordained men. This rule clashes with the Capuchins’ understanding of... Read more

Father Rosica Resigns as CEO of Salt and Light

Last updated on: June 18, 2019 at 1:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNS: Basilian Fr. Thomas Rosica has resigned as CEO of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, the latest chapter in a scandal that has embroiled him since February. Rosica, the founding CEO of the Canadian Catholic television network Salt and Light TV and a former Vatican media liaison, has faced allegations of plagiarizing the written work of several authors in his lectures, blog posts and newspaper articles dating back several years. He has admitted that he failed to properly... Read more

Catholic Journalist on the Job

Last updated on: June 18, 2019 at 6:22 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

As I type, I’m enjoying the view from the Delta terminal at JFK — white walls, grey skies outside — as I await my flight to Tampa/St. Pete for the Catholic Media Conference and 2019 Catholic Press Awards. Looking forward to reconnecting with some old friends and making some new ones. If you’re headed to St. Pete, I’ll see you there! Pictures and more coverage to follow. Meantime, at 6 a.m., nothing looks better than this. Read more

Ordination Update: 6 New Deacons for Great Falls-Billings

Last updated on: June 18, 2019 at 4:17 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The good news, via Deacon Pete Woelkers, Director of Deacons in the diocese, who provides a caption for the picture: Bishop Michael Warfel ordained six new Permanent Deacons on 8 June 2019, for the Diocese of Great Falls Billings. From left, Bishop Michael Warfel, Deacon Paul Cook, Deacon Mitch Anderson, Deacon Tony Sandau, Deacon Dave Oderman, Deacon Bill Zackmann, Deacon Nate Haney, Father Garrett Nelson. Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more

BREAKING: Newly Ordained Priest Dies After Battle with Cancer

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 2:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Many will remember this extraordinary story from a few weeks ago. Now, his earthly pilgrimage has ended. Details: A young Polish priest who was ordained last month following a terminal cancer diagnosis has died, his community announced Monday. Fr. Michal Los, FDP, died June 17 in the morning, the Congregation of the Orionine Fathers said in a Facebook post. “We believe that he met with the Risen Christ whom he so desperately wanted to serve as a priest. Thank you... Read more

Something Beautiful in Albany: Mass in the Extraordinary Form—UPDATED

Last updated on: June 18, 2019 at 1:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This popped up on the Facebook page for the Diocese of Albany, and it’s worth noting: Solemn High Mass in the Presence of the Ordinary to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of The Extraordinary Form in the Albany Diocese. Both Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger and Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard concelebrated. The Mass took place at St. Mary’s Church in Albany. A few people have noted that there is no “concelebration” in the Extraordinary Form. It appears, however, that Bishop Scharfenberger and Bishop Emeritus Hubbard... Read more

When a Father Brought His Autistic Son to Church — UPDATED with apology

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 6:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This just makes me want to weep. Dr. Paul Rimmer took his son to Evensong yesterday at King’s College at Cambridge. This morning, he posted this letter on Facebook, which reads in part: Dear Reverend Dr Stephen Cherry, I would like to apologize for bringing my autistic son to Evensong at your chapel. I am a resident of Cambridge and a member of the university, and my family and I have attended services at the chapel from time to time.... Read more

Spotted in The New York Times: Pro-Life Democrats

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 12:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

In part of a longer article Sunday on the politics of abortion, readers may have been surprised to encounter this: There are still some opponents of abortion barely hanging on as Democrats. “I’m really sad because I don’t want to be a Republican,” said Jeannie Wallace French of Pittsburgh, who has worked with groups like Feminists for Life, which oppose abortion but are less partisan than many mainstream groups. She was pregnant with twins when she said the doctors discovered... Read more

Vatican Document for Amazon Synod Proposes Ordaining Married ‘Elders’ as Priests

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 10:07 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details (roughly translated): The Instrumentum laboris outlines an “inculturated liturgy” : “The need for a process of discernment regarding the rituals, symbols and celebratory styles of indigenous cultures in contact with nature – reads – must be assumed in the liturgical and sacramental ritual. It is necessary to be careful to gather the true meaning of the symbol that transcends what is purely aesthetic and folkloristic, particularly in Christian initiation and marriage. It is suggested that the celebrations are of a festive type with... Read more

Ordination Update: 6 New Deacons for Bridgeport — UPDATED

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 3:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The event happened yesterday: Bishop Frank Caggiano ordained the men at St. Augustine’s Cathedral in Bridgeport. From the Diocese of Bridgeport Facebook page: Join us in wishing our warmest congratulations to our six newest deacons and their wives! We are praying for you, Deacon Joseph Cann, Deacon Stephen Hodson, Deacon Eric Keener, Deacon Joseph Klimaszewski, Deacon Richard Lawlor and Michael Ronan! Congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos! UPDATE: More on the new deacons and the ordination, from the Fairfield... Read more