As someone says in this video, “You’re the first really badass preacher I’ve met.” From The New York Times: “Can you love your neighbor as yourself and at the same time knee him in the face as hard as you can?” So wondered Pastor Paul Burress, as we interviewed him about his “fight ministry,” which he started to bring his take on Christianity to more people in Rochester, N.Y. For Mr. Burress and his ministry, the answer is yes —... Read more
From my blog neighbor Sam Sawyer, SJ, comes this must-read on the subject of confession: I try not to make a habit of wading into swamps, but there’s something going on in Louisiana that should not be ignored. The state Supreme Court ruled that, once a penitent has waived confidentiality, what was discussed in the sacrament of confession can be fair game in court. The diocese of Baton Rouge has recently appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court. The case is particularly... Read more
Another important Muslim voice joins the chorus of condemnation: Egypt’s Grand Mufti on Monday condemned the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), saying its horrific actions take it “far from Islam.” Last week leading Muslim institutions denounced ISIS’s killing Steven Sotloff, the second U.S. journalist to be executed by the jihadist group. Former Deputy Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Mahmoud Ashour told Al Arabiya News that Sotloff’s killing was not only against humanity but “there is no religion that accepts the... Read more
Details: When 79-year-old Sister Bernadetta Boggian, of the Saverian order, called Father Mario Pulcini on Sunday afternoon to tell him that she had just discovered two of her elderly colleagues brutally raped and murdered in their convent in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, she had no idea she would face the same fate just nine hours later. Instead, the elderly nun guided Father Pulcini through the carnage, past the pools of blood, first to Sister Lucia Pulici, 82, who was... Read more
Here’s a story I suspect will resonate with many, from The Lowell Sun: A couple of years ago, Richard Lee of Billerica, a retired University of Massachusetts police officer, wasn’t enjoying his then-recent retirement. In fact, since a son died shortly after a premature birth 15 years before, his outlook on life wasn’t great. One day, while sitting on his deck, feeling unsettled, he decided to do what many suggested he do: Give it to God. “I looked up, said OK,... Read more
From John Allen in Crux: Two priests from the United States, one with ties to Chicago and the other a veteran of the Boston archdiocese, have been named to key Vatican roles by Pope Francis in his clean-up effort with regard to the Church’s child sexual abuse scandals. Fr. Robert Oliver, who served as a key advisor to Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston on issues related to the abuse crisis until 2012, has been named to the new position... Read more
The photograph above arrived in my in box this morning with a note, from Deacon John A. Ebel, Director of the Office for Diaconate Formation in Milwaukee. He wrote: Seven new deacons [were] ordained Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. Milwaukee has ordained a class of permanent deacons nearly every other year since 1975. This year’s new deacons include a Cardiologist, Car Dealer, IT... Read more
From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis has expressed his sorrow for the death of slain US journalist Steven Sotloff, urging people everywhere to reject violence, aggression and lack of compassion. His words came in a telegram of condolences addressed to Sotloff’s family and signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope. Steven Sotloff was beheaded by Islamic State militants in northern Syria last week. He had been abducted in the area a year ago.... Read more
Some timely thoughts from Pope Francis in this morning’s homily: Jesus is not a professor who speaks from the professor’s chair; rather, He goes among the people and lets them touch Him so that they can be healed. That was Pope Francis’ message at Mass this morning at Santa Marta. Commenting on the day’s Gospel, Pope Francis reflected on three moments in the life of Jesus. The first is prayer. Jesus “spent the night in prayer to God.” Jesus... Read more
Details: The new leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has pledged to lead it through a process of “humble renewal” without trying “to make sure that it dominates politics and the State”. Archbishop Eamon Martin succeeded Cardinal Sean Brady as Primate of All Ireland yesterday, taking over a leadership role which covers the 26 dioceses here and Northern Ireland. The 52-year-old Derry native becomes the 116th Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in succession to St Patrick.... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In