From Vatican Radio: Recalling the day’s Gospel reading in which the people marvel at Jesus’s authoritative teaching, Pope Francis said that people today know “when a priest, a bishop, a catechist, a Christian, has the consistency that gives him authority.” Jesus, he said, “admonishes his disciples” to beware of “false prophets.” But how to discern the true preachers of the Gospel from the false ones? Pope Francis said there are three things to look for: how do they speak, what... Read more
It isn’t every day you get to dine with one of the most influential people in the world. Last night, I had the privilege of doing just that: sitting at the same table for dinner with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe. If you don’t know Sister Rosemary, you should. Honoring her last year, Forest Whitaker wrote in TIME magazine: In Gulu, Uganda, Sister Rosemary has made it her mission to provide within an orphanage a home, a shelter for women and girls whose... Read more
An Anglican priest, Robert Hart, offers his thoughts about one of the most popular and effective preachers of the last century: Dr. Graham’s televised “crusades” were old-fashioned Baptist revival services, and they came across with a simple and profound dignity that others lacked. They looked honest because they were straightforward. There were no gimmicks, no special offers, no salesmanship, nothing phony, and no evidence whatsoever of the preacher’s ego—indeed, Graham was a man who spoke of himself in down-to-earth, humble... Read more
Right now, it’s hearsay and there’s nothing official from Rome. But here’s what’s being reported, from Catholic Culture: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has reached a negative conclusion regarding the authenticity of the reported Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, according to Italian media reports. The CDF reportedly held a feria quarta meeting on June 24, at which the prelates discussed the findings of a special papal commission that had investigated the Medjugorje phenomenon. According to several Italian journalists—notably Vatican-watch... Read more
From CBSLA.com: Police were asking for the public’s help Thursday to identify who broke the head off a statue of the Virgin Mary and damaged the face of a Jesus Christ statue at a Catholic church in Palm Springs. Officers responded to a report early this morning of vandalism at the Our Lady of Solitude Church located along the 100 block of West Alejo Road, according to Palm Springs Police Sgt. Paul Abshire. An investigation found that someone damaged the... Read more
Right now, it’s hearsay and there’s nothing official from Rome. But here’s what’s being reported, from Catholic Culture: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has reached a negative conclusion regarding the authenticity of the reported Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, according to Italian media reports. The CDF reportedly held a feria quarta meeting on June 24, at which the prelates discussed the findings of a special papal commission that had investigated the Medjugorje phenomenon. According to several Italian journalists—notably Vatican-watch... Read more
An Anglican priest, Robert Hart, offers his thoughts about one of the most popular and effective preachers of the last century: Dr. Graham’s televised “crusades” were old-fashioned Baptist revival services, and they came across with a simple and profound dignity that others lacked. They looked honest because they were straightforward. There were no gimmicks, no special offers, no salesmanship, nothing phony, and no evidence whatsoever of the preacher’s ego—indeed, Graham was a man who spoke of himself in down-to-earth, humble... Read more
It isn’t every day you get to dine with one of the most influential people in the world. Last night, I had the privilege of doing just that: sitting at the same table for dinner with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe. If you don’t know Sister Rosemary, you should. Honoring her last year, Forest Whitaker wrote in TIME magazine: In Gulu, Uganda, Sister Rosemary has made it her mission to provide within an orphanage a home, a shelter for women and girls whose... Read more
From Vatican Radio: Recalling the day’s Gospel reading in which the people marvel at Jesus’s authoritative teaching, Pope Francis said that people today know “when a priest, a bishop, a catechist, a Christian, has the consistency that gives him authority.” Jesus, he said, “admonishes his disciples” to beware of “false prophets.” But how to discern the true preachers of the Gospel from the false ones? Pope Francis said there are three things to look for: how do they speak, what... Read more
Wednesday night, those of us attending the Catholic Media Conference gathered for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, a short walk from our hotel. I couldn’t help but notice that the sign outside has ordinary of the diocese listed as the pastor for the church. Mass was celebrated by Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone, who offered warm and inspiring words to Catholic communicators on a particularly apt occasion: the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Of particular... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In