“The new archbishop of Chicago is no moderate…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the thesis of writer Charles Camosy, who offers some analysis of Blase Cupich, based on his own writings. Camosy concludes the archbishop-elect is neither liberal nor conservative. But he is, in his way, radical. He sums it up: In addressing his fellow bishops Cupich said, “A prophecy of denunciation quickly wears thin. We need a prophecy of solidarity with the communities we serve and the nation we live in, which needs healing.” And if anyone doubts this bishop’s pro-life credentials, check out his... Read more

What about Cupich and deacons?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A reader from Chicago wrote in this morning, wondering if anyone knows what sort of relationship the new Archbishop-elect has with his deacons. A little Googling turned up some diaconal news, like this story from a couple years ago: When he came to Spokane in June 2010, he left 12 years of experience as bishop in Western South Dakota to come to an area where he had never lived. He asked what God’s Word had to say to him with that... Read more

A mother’s last dance

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is quickly going viral, and with good reason. The story: A dying woman whose final wish was to be able to dance with her son at his wedding had her dream come true, and then passed away just three days later. Mary Ann Manning of Dublin, California, lost her battle to breast cancer on Monday, September 8, at the age of 61. On Friday, September 5, she gathered all of her strength and stood up out of her wheelchair... Read more

John Allen: “Are we looking at the American Pope Francis in Chicago?”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The veteran Vatican watcher assesses this weekend’s big news over at Crux: There’s nothing a pope does as fundamental to shaping culture in the Catholic Church as appointing bishops, and that’s especially true for major pace-setting venues around the world. Chicago is on a short list with Milan, Paris, and Westminster as spots where popes have a chance to put their stamp firmly on the church in a wide chunk of the world. To date, Francis has made a handful... Read more

NY Times: Pope sets tone in U.S. with “inclusive prelate” for Chicago

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Their take on the big news from Saturday morning: Pope Francis’ choice of prelate for Chicago was highly anticipated as a sign of the direction he intends to set for the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Chicago is the nation’s third-largest Roman Catholic diocese, with 2.3 million members, and its archbishops have often taken leading roles in the American hierarchy. Bishop Cupich appeared at ease in a news conference on Saturday morning in Chicago, deftly handling questions about whether he... Read more

Pope establishes commission to reform annulment process

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is huge. From Vatican Radio: The Holy See Press Office on Saturday announced Pope Francis has decided to establish a Special Commission for the study of the reform of the matrimonial processes in canon law. The decision was made on August 2, 2014. This Committee will be chaired by Msgr. Pio Vito Pinto, Dean of the Roman Rota. The other members are: and will be composed of the following members: Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, President of the Pontifical Council for... Read more

Spokane’s Blase Cupich to be next Archbishop of Chicago—UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Washington, will be named the next archbishop of Chicago,The Associated Press has learned. [UPDATE: The Vatican Saturday morning made it official. Read more about that here.] Cupich will succeed Cardinal Francis George, according to a person with knowledge of the selection, who spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. George, 77, has been battling cancer and has said he believes the disease will end his life. The Archdiocese of Chicago... Read more

For sale on eBay: the pope’s zucchetto!

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Place your bids now: It’s a good thing this pope wears more than one hat. Pope Francis’ white skullcap is selling for close to $130,000 on eBay, after an Italian TV show host managed to finagle it out of his holy hands. The host of the comedy show “La lene” (The Hyenas) got up in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday to stake out a prime, front-row spot in St. Peter’s Square for Francis’ general audience. As the pontiff passed through... Read more

“We are called to be a missional church…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Elizabeth Scalia this morning offers some words of wisdom that strike me as very diaconal in nature—but with a message for all of us seeking to serve the Church and save souls—especially our own. To wit: Incarnational Evangelization happens when Christian men and women leave the comfortable place of their own origin, just as the Word proceeded from the Father, to set a tent among the “others”, and live closely with them. It meets the “others” where they are at, and... Read more

Priest removes married gay couple from parish ministry

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Billings Gazette in Montana: On Aug. 6, four days after the Rev. Samuel Spiering arrived as the new administrator of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Lewistown, he met with parishioner Paul Huff to ask him if he and his partner, Tom Wojtowick, had gotten married. After Huff confirmed the fact, the priest asked to meet with the two men the next day. At that second meeting, Spiering dismissed the pair from their volunteer posts in the... Read more