Francis: beware those who claim to be “very Catholic”

Last updated on: August 30, 2015 at 1:37 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From his Angelus remarks Sunday: Pope Francis has strongly criticized Catholics who brag that they are perfect followers of the church’s teachings but then criticize or speak ill of others in their faith communities, saying they cause scandal and even offer a “counter-witness” to Jesus. “We all know in our communities, in our parishes, in our neighborhoods how much hurt they do the church, and give scandal, those persons that call themselves ‘Very Catholic,’” the pontiff said Sunday. “They go... Read more

At the World Meeting of Families: How do you give communion to a million people?

Last updated on: August 29, 2015 at 9:44 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com Here’s an interesting glimpse behind the scenes, from Philly.com—including a detail that has lately been making the rounds on social media: that the pope is expected to say Mass in Latin. Read on: When more than 1,500 priests and deacons descend from Pope Francis’ altar on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway next month to distribute Communion, some of the wafers they carry will have been made by the Poor Clares, a group of cloistered nuns in Langhorne who’ve... Read more

Papal kitsch didn’t begin with Pope Francis—UPDATED

Last updated on: August 30, 2015 at 7:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A few observers have marveled that the visit of Pope Francis has sparked a rush on kitschy souvenirs: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which will host the meeting, feels that the more lighthearted items are very appropriate to the fun-loving cleric and the joyfulness of the occasion, according to Joan Doyle, a retail consultant to cultural organizations who was hired by the WMF to advise on official souvenirs. “We had workshops with various stakeholders,” she says, “including representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia... Read more

Vatican says autopsy reveals disgraced former nuncio died of natural causes

Last updated on: August 29, 2015 at 12:19 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Vatican Radio, confirmation of what was reported yesterday— that former Nuncio, Jozef Wesolowski, while facing trail in sex abuse charges, died of natural causes: Following the sudden death, which occurred late on the past Thursday, August 27, of the former Apostolic Nuncio Jozef Wesołowski, the Office of the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice [the Vatican prosecutor], as part of the obligations of its authority, ordered the execution of an autopsy examination, appointing a Commission of three experts, coordinated by Prof. Giovanni Arcudi,... Read more

At the World Meeting of Families: How do you give communion to a million people?

Last updated on: August 29, 2015 at 1:35 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

[getty src=”461609848?et=lxUess9eRLlr5URKxQmJaQ&viewMoreLink=off&sig=J7B-NBOEggXvdcPSbi9JLK224GNUXP1CLcil19R7MKY=&caption=true” width=”594″ height=”396″] View image | gettyimages.com Here’s an interesting glimpse behind the scenes, from Philly.com—including a detail that has lately been making the rounds on social media: that the pope is expected to say Mass in Latin.Read on: When more than 1,500 priests and deacons descend from Pope Francis’ altar on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway next month to distribute Communion, some of the wafers they carry will have been made by the Poor Clares, a group of cloistered nuns... Read more

Papal kitsch didn’t begin with Pope Francis—UPDATED

Last updated on: August 29, 2015 at 1:24 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Vatican says autopsy reveals disgraced former nuncio died of natural causes

Last updated on: August 29, 2015 at 1:22 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

What we have come to: the rich who are too busy now hire others to have their babies for them

Last updated on: August 28, 2015 at 10:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Really? Yes: Dylan Lauren has revealed that she chose to use a surrogate to ‘start her family’ with husband Paul Arrouet because she was busy expanding her candy store to new locations across the globe The 41-year-old daughter of fashion icons Ralph and Ricky Lauren welcomed fraternal twins Cooper Blue and daughter Kingsley Rainbow four months ago with husband Paul, 44. And, in a recent interview with Cricket’s Circle, she explained why she thought the decision to have the little boy... Read more

New rector named to replace Robert Barron at Mundelein

Last updated on: August 28, 2015 at 8:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Archdiocese of Chicago website: Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, today announced the appointment of Rev. John Francis Kartje as the rector / president of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary, effective August 28, 2015. Archbishop Cupich made the announcement this evening at the conclusion of the Mass of the Holy Spirit which celebrated the beginning of the academic year. Father Kartje succeeds Bishop-elect Robert E. Barron who was appointed an auxiliary bishop of... Read more

Vatican expresses pope’s gratitude to author of banned children’s book

Last updated on: August 28, 2015 at 12:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Guardian: The hippos, kangaroos and penguins adorning the cover of Piccolo Uovo (Little Egg) give little hint of the political and religious storm the children’s book has caused. While following the adventures of an egg may seem harmless enough, its discovery of different family types – including same sex – has prompted a backlash by conservatives who accuse Italian author Francesca Pardi of promoting a pro-homosexuality gender theory. In the book, the egg encounters a pair of gay... Read more