Shaken by Scandal: ‘If This News Means You Have to Go, Then Leave Already’

Last updated on: May 20, 2019 at 9:46 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A roundup of reaction to recent news from Dallas: Catholics across the area wrestled with sadness, disappointment and outright anger after last week’s raid on the Dallas diocese, which police say hasn’t fully cooperated with a sexual abuse investigation. The news was devastating to Becky Autrey, a 30-year member of North Dallas’ St. Rita Catholic Community who was already struggling with her feelings about the church. “I think this has lost me for good,” she said. “I really don’t have that deep faith anymore.” But the Rev. Martin... Read more

Ordination Update: 9 New Deacons for Fall River

Last updated on: May 20, 2019 at 7:03 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Ordination season is now in full swing! The press release: Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will ordain nine men to the Permanent Diaconate for service in the Fall River Diocese on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. The deacon candidates come from various areas of the diocese. All work full-time in a variety of occupations, and, with the exception of one, all are married and have... Read more

Ordination Update: 12 New Deacons for Lansing

Last updated on: May 19, 2019 at 11:17 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

It happened Saturday. Two of the men will go on to be ordained priests. Details, from the announcement on the diocesan website: Please join us on Saturday, May 18, 2019 for the Deacon Ordination held at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, Michigan. The Most Reverend Bishop Earl Boyea will ordain twelve men from the Diocese beginning at 10:30 a.m. Ten of the men will be from the diaconal formation class and they are; Sean Costello from St. Matthew in... Read more

President Trump: ‘I’m Strongly Pro-life, With Three Exceptions…’

Last updated on: May 19, 2019 at 11:02 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: President Trump urged Republicans to stay “UNITED” on abortion in a series of tweets late Saturday night and wrote that he is “strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions – Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother.” The tweets come just days after Alabama passed the country’s most restrictive abortion law, which bans the procedure unless “abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk” to the woman. Mr. Trump tweeted “we have come very far in... Read more

12 Years

Last updated on: May 19, 2019 at 11:05 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

How is it even possible? This weekend, by happy coincidence, I’m at the seminary in Huntington, New York, leading a retreat for deacons and their wives from Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. I am remembering this day all who walked with me on this journey, all who walked with me down that aisle at the basilica, and all who continue to walk with me and who, so often, hold me up and guide my steps. Thanks be to God, for everything... Read more

‘Please Pray for Me’: Father Jonathan Morris Asks to Leave Clerical State — UPDATED

Last updated on: May 17, 2019 at 9:52 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Father Jonathan Morris, a former member of the Legion of Christ who was at one time among the most prominent Catholic priests in America as a contributor to Fox News, has asked to be dismissed from the clerical state, indicating he wants to be free to “marry and have a family” though saying it’s not about an “existing relationship.” In a statement released Friday, Morris writes that the decision has filled him “with newfound joy,” though he says he... Read more

A Priest’s First Mass

Last updated on: May 17, 2019 at 10:50 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

About 10 years ago, I attended the Mass of Thanksgiving of a priest who was ordained for the Diocese of Orlando, Father Hector Vazquez Saad. It was a beautiful event, full of joy and possibility and grace. As the new priest stepped up to the ambo to begin his first homily, he took a deep breath and said, “Good morning. Who here today is nervous?” And he raised his hand and the crowd roared. I thought of that moment when... Read more

Covington Update: CNN Defends Coverage as Factual, Not Defamatory

Last updated on: May 17, 2019 at 8:40 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: CNN filed a motion Wednesday seeking a dismissal of the $275 million lawsuit filed against the network by the family of Nick Sandmann. The motion asks the Eastern District of Kentucky to dismiss the suit, arguing it fails to show CNN’s reporting was defamatory. Each of 53 CNN statements identified in the Sandmann lawsuit should be dismissed for reasons such as that they are substantially true, do not concern Nick, are not defamatory or are subjective opinion, the motion states. One of the... Read more

Reclaiming Sunday: Detroit Archdiocese Cancels Sunday Sports

Last updated on: May 16, 2019 at 10:08 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A great idea: What ever happened to Sundays are for resting and church? Well, the leader of the Catholic church in Detroit is trying to “reclaim” Sunday as a day of worship, rest and family time. With that, Archbishop of Detroit Allen H. Vigneron Wednesday announced a new policy to cease youth sporting activities on Sunday. “In our time, Sunday has slowly lost its pride of place,” Vigneron said in the pastoral note. “In the Archdiocese of Detroit, we are... Read more

Bombshell: Police Raid Catholic Diocesan Properties in Dallas

Last updated on: May 15, 2019 at 4:45 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNN: Dallas police searched the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and other properties Wednesday as part of the church’s widening sex abuse scandal, police and church officials said. Maj. Max Geron of the special investigations division said the raids are related to five new allegations of sexual abuse that emerged after police issued an arrest warrant for a priest named Edmundo Paredes, who was previously assigned to St. Cecilia’s Parish in Dallas. Dallas authorities said they consider... Read more