Do Catholics support torture?

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Is the pope Argentinian? From The Washington Post: According to a new poll released Tuesday by The Washington Post and ABC News, a majority of Americans believe that torture of suspected terrorists can be justified — even in the wake of graphic revelations by a Senate Intelligence Committee report of exactly what such tactics look like. A majority of nearly every group — non-whites, women, young adults, the elderly, Midwesterners, suburbanites, Catholics, moderates, the wealthy — said that torture of suspected terrorists can... Read more

14-year-old boy executed for 1944 murder is exonerated

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CBS News: A 14-year-old South Carolina boy who was quickly convicted of murder and then executed in 1944 has been posthumously exonerated. Judge Carmen Tevis Mullen vacated George Stinney, Jr.’s conviction on Wednesday, stating that the boy’s prosecution was marked by “fundamental, Consitutional violations of due process.” According to the judge’s order, Stinney, who was black, was accused of beating two white girls, Betty June Binnicker, 11, and Mary Emma Thames, 7, to death. The girls’ bodies were found... Read more

“We can do anything. We could be heroes…”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is guaranteed to make you gasp, squeal, swoon, and maybe even feel a lump in your throat. People are awesome. And a little bit nuts. But mostly awesome. Crank up the volume and enjoy! Read more

Vatican diplomacy and release of Alan Gross: “Pope Francis personally issued an appeal in a letter to Obama and Castro…”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Washington Post: Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) received a phone call on Tuesday night from White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice that “just knocked me off my feet.” After more than five years of captivity, Alan Gross was coming home. Durbin was in the midst of wrapping up the Senate’s tumultuous year, but said the news was “a great relief.” “I got to know his wife, Judy, and had met her and shared her pain. I met... Read more

Thousands celebrate pope’s birthday at Vatican with flash mob tango

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Well, how else would you celebrate? See for yourself below. Details from Carol Glatz at CNS: Pope Francis always asks for prayers, especially for his birthday, but this year he also got some tango. Thousands of tango dancers, mostly from Italy, flocked to St. Peter’s Square to wave their white scarves “A Tango for Pope Francis” and cheer along with tens of thousands of other people at the Wednesday general audience… … Cristina Camorani organized a “Street Tango Flashmob” over the Internet... Read more

Church of England names first female bishop

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the BBC: Reverend Libby Lane has been announced as the first female bishop for the Church of England, just a month after a historic change to canon law. She will become the new Bishop of Stockport, a post that has been vacant since May. Mrs Lane has been the vicar at St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s Ashley, in the diocese of Chester, since 2007. The general synod voted to back plans for female bishops in July and... Read more

Elf on a shelf? What are you, meshugenah??

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

You need a Mensch on a Bench! But somehow I don’t think it’s a deacon’s bench. Details: Elf on a Shelf has quickly become a part of many families’ Christmas celebrations over the past few years. When Neal Hoffman’s young son Jacob asked if they could have an Elf, Hoffman came up with an idea for a new Hanukkah tradition.“I said, ‘No, you can’t have an Elf on a Shelf, you’re Jewish,'” Hoffman told ABC. “‘You can have a mensch... Read more

Now THAT’s Christmas caroling!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Get a load of what happened when those clever people at Improv Everywhere went caroling in New Jersey. “Epic” doesn’t quite do this justice. I wonder what the neighbors thought…? And you can read about how it all came together right here. Read more

Meet the deacon who was sheriff

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Kane County Chronicle in Illinois: The Kenneth Ramsey most people know is a tough guy. He was a lawman for 35 years, first in Batavia, then as a sheriff’s deputy, eventually serving as sheriff of Kane County from 1994 to 2006. Ramsey also was a soldier, with 41 years in the U.S. Army and having served in Vietnam. He spent 10 years at the Pentagon and 10 years teaching at the U.S. Army Intelligence School. Ramsey was in training... Read more

For first time, Boston will admit gay group to St. Patrick’s Day parade

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

First New York. Now, Boston. From the AP: For the first time in its history, the sponsors of Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade will allow a group representing the gay community to participate, drawing cheers from Mayor Martin Walsh, who boycotted the event last year over the exclusion. The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, which has long resisted the inclusion of gay groups and won a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1995 upholding their right to ban them from the annual parade... Read more