Austrian theologian: “Married priests and women deacons should be reintroduced as soon as possible”

Last updated on: July 30, 2015 at 3:57 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Tablet in London: The dean-elect of Salzburg University’s Catholic theological faculty has called for married priests and women deacons in the Church. “Married priests and women deacons should be reintroduced as soon as possible. That would bring new dynamism to the Church”, the future dean of Salzburg University’s Catholic theological faculty, Professor Dietmar Winkler, told the Austrian daily Salzburger Nachrichten… …The issue of women priests was “theologically complicated” but women deacons “which is well documented up to the Middle... Read more

Church in Spain declares transgendered person not “suitable” to be a godparent

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 10:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Huffington Post in Spain: Alex Salinas is 21 years old. He was assigned female at birth, but is now living as his authentic self as a man. He is a “firm believer” and wants to be a godparent at his nephew’s baptism but the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta is standing in his way. According to them, he is not a “suitable” person because of the life he leads, a life not “congruent with faith.” However, they do not... Read more

Cardinal O’Malley speaks out on Planned Parenthood and “the throwaway culture”

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 3:50 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The USCCB has just released this statement from Cardinal O’Malley regarding recent news about Planned Parenthood: WASHINGTON—Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded, July 29, to recent videos showing leaders from Planned Parenthood discussing the provision of fetal organs, tissues, and body parts from their abortion clinics. Full text of Cardinal O’Malley’s statement follows: Pope Francis has called abortion the product of... Read more

Their days are numbered: after thousands of years, Rome to stop using Roman numerals

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 2:25 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Wow. From The Telegraph: They have survived thousands of years since their birth in ancient Rome, but Roman numerals are finally to be phased out after they were deemed too complicated for the modern-day capital. Until now, Rome has remained stubbornly wedded to the ancient numeric system on its street signs, official documents, bills and identity cards. However, under a new directive approved by Rome city council this week, the numerals will have to be written out fully. Corso Vittorio Emanuele... Read more

First look: trailer for “Spotlight,” starring Michael Keaton, on the Boston sex abuse scandal

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 2:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Variety: The film from director/co-writer Tom McCarthy tells the true story behind the Boston Globe’s investigation into child abuse in the Catholic Church. The group of reporters won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2003 after uncovering the local Boston Archdiocese’s massive cover-up of sexual abuse. “The West Wing” scribe Josh Singer co-wrote the film, which has already generated plenty of awards buzz. The Globe’s reporting eventually led to the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law, who had hidden... Read more

What ever happened to that Buffalo church being moved to Georgia??

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 1:52 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A friend dropped me a line to ask if I’d heard anything more about this unusual undertaking. I posted on it a few years back, when The Deacon’s Bench was still at Beliefnet: Instead of building a neoclassical church, Wilbur’s growing parish wants to buy classical-style St. Gerard’s, take it apart and ship it 900 miles from Buffalo’s depopulated east side to Norcross, Ga., for reassembly at Mary Our Queen parish. The parish has the endorsement of the Catholic archdiocese... Read more

Farewell, my lovely: a New York church prepares to close

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 10:14 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

I received this message two days ago, from a New York City parish just a few blocks from my office that is slated to close. I was impressed by the fervor and prayerfulness surrounding events the people in the pews are planning for their church. I think it speaks to the sense of dedication and devotion people have brought to this effort, and shows as well the deep affection they have for this lovely little church. The parishioners of Our Lady of Peace have mounted... Read more

Church in Spain declares transgendered person not “suitable” to be a godparent

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 3:53 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Cardinal O’Malley speaks out on Planned Parenthood and “the throwaway culture”

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 3:50 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Their days are numbered: after thousands of years, Rome to stop using Roman numerals

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 3:47 am By Deacon Greg Kandra