I remember posting on (then-Deacon) Paul Schenck when he was ordained. He’s back in the news again; a local paper in Pennsylvania covered his recent appearance at a Theology on Tap and discussed his work for pro-life causes: The Rev. Paul Schenck is a married Catholic priest. You may think that’s a poorly written sentence that should read “…a former Catholic priest who is now married.” But, no, Schenck, of York, really is a married Catholic priest, one of about 200 in... Read more
From The Arizona Republic and azCentral: You could say, it’s a different kind of Super Bowl experience. “I’ve never been in a convent or ministry where there haven’t been football fans,” said Sister Linda Campbell from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in West Phoenix. The 66 year old nun is a self-proclaimed die hard Arizona Cardinals and NFL fanatic. “It doesn’t make any sense that Tom Brady wouldn’t have known if he felt it,” that was Campbell’s reaction when we... Read more
From The Burlington Free Press: The Most Rev. Christopher Coyne, the Roman Catholic Church’s first blogging priest to be elevated to bishop, has been formally installed as the head of the statewide diocese of Burlington. More than 900 people jammed into St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Burlington for the Installation Mass., which was broadcast internationally both on cable television and livestreamed on a couple of websites. Coyne said the church needs to shift from a “church of the establishment” — where... Read more
This essay by Fr. Paul Scalia (son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin) popped up on my Facebook feed yesterday. “The Church Militant or the Church Belligerent?” was published eight years ago, but it seems even more pertinent—even prophetic—today. Read it all, but here’s a snip, from Catholic Answers: The Church, like a nation, must defend herself and her faith. She must fight for the truth and for the salvation of souls. This demands doing battle, for which reason we call ourselves... Read more
He made some astute and timely observations during his homily yesterday. From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis says ecclesial elites who form cliques and scorn others are privatizing the faith and not following the way of Jesus. His words came during his homily at morning Mass on Thursday (29th January) celebrated in the Santa Marta residence. The Pope’s homily was a reflection on the need for Christians to follow Jesus in the way that He wants and not to follow incorrect... Read more
From HuffPo: Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), a longtime opponent of abortion, announced in an op-ed on Tuesday that he now supports abortion rights after having talked to women in difficult circumstances throughout his home state. “I have sat with women from Ohio and across the nation and heard them talk about their varying experiences: abusive relationships, financial hardship, health scares, rape and incest,” wrote Ryan. “These women gave me a better understanding of how complex and difficult certain situations can become. And... Read more
From CNS: When Pope Francis celebrates the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in June, he will set aside an element that has been part of the Mass for the past 32 years; the Vatican confirmed he will not confer the pallium on new archbishops during the liturgy. Msgr. Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, said Jan. 29 that the new archbishops will come to Rome to concelebrate the feast day Mass with Pope Francis June 29 and... Read more
As Burlington’s new bishop gets ready for his installation on Thursday, he’s continued blogging—and posting some unusual videos. The guy is a social media junkie. I’m not aware of any other bishops doing something quite like this: brief “On the Road” segments, that he evidently shoots with a small camera in his car as he’s driving around. I gotta say: I love this. What does Bishop Christopher Coyne think about while he’s driving around? Take a look. UPDATE: Meanwhile, also... Read more
American Bible Society headquarters in New York via Wikipedia A big deal, from The Philadelphia Inquirer: The American Bible Society will give up its tony Broadway address for one in Philadelphia’s historic district. The society, which has had its headquarters in New York City for 199 years and has operations all over the world, will relocate to 401 Market St., steps from Independence Mall. Mayor Nutter will announce the nonprofit’s move, which will bring more than 200 jobs to the... Read more
“St. Joseph with the Infant Jesus” by Guido Reni (c. 1620) via Wikipedia From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis called on fathers to be present in the lives of their children pointing out that the absence of a ‘father figure’ can have grave consequences. Speaking on Wednesday during the weekly General Audience, the Pope continued in his catechesis on the family, choosing to focus on the dignity and role of fathers. He said that teaching us to call God our Father,... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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