Archbishop Nienstedt cleared, will not be charged

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Archbishop John Nienstedt will return to full duties in the Catholic Church after the Ramsey County attorney’s office found insufficient evidence to support what it called an “unlikely” allegation that he touched a boy’s buttocks after a confirmation ceremony in 2009. The office began reviewing reports and evidence provided by police in late December and on Tuesday announced that the investigation didn’t support the filing of criminal charges. Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Richard Dusterhoft, the... Read more

Even the media are feeling “The Francis Effect”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Wall Street Journal: Francis mania is lifting up the religious media. As Pope Francis approaches the first anniversary of his election this week , his popularity is generating a boom for a media niche that rarely gathers much notice. “We are just working night and day to satisfy demand,” said Monsignor Dario Vigano, head of the Vatican’s broadcaster, Vatican Television Center, or CTV, which shadows the pope and supplies papal newscasts and images for both Catholic and lay broadcasters. Revenue... Read more

You’ve probably never been on a tour of a Catholic school quite like this

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A reader sent this my way: a video tour for Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Glenview, Illinois. In a word: Wow. I’ll say this: the explosion of lip dub videos across the internet has been a real boon to steadicam operators—and it’s raised the bar for anyone who wants to produce a little video about their hometown or their school. Check this out, though. It’s mighty impressive. Read more

Cardinal calls for “renewed” interpretation of Church teachings on marriage

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNS: In its approach to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, the Catholic Church needs to find a middle ground that does not destroy or abandon doctrine, but offers a “renewed” interpretation of church teaching in order to help those whose marriages have failed, Cardinal Walter Kasper said. “I propose a path that goes beyond strictness and leniency,” the German cardinal and theologian told Vatican Radio March 10. An approach that avoids the two extremes “isn’t against morality, it isn’t... Read more

Who’s that guy in the green shirt? You’ll never guess.

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Second from the right? In green shirt and blue pants? Osama Bin Laden. Visiting Sweden with his family in the ’70s. That’s one of 20 incredible pieces of history in this amazing album of historical photos. Check out the rest. Read more

Priest defends decision to host Paula Deen at church

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Evidently, imperfect people should go elsewhere. Kudos to the priest for stating what should be plain to every Christian. Details, from Madison, KY: The guest of choice for a Madison County church’s fundraiser is a woman who’s seen her fair share of controversy. But Father Jim Sichko stands behind his decision to invite Paula Deen and as he told us, who better to welcome her than a church. The church is hosting “An Afternoon Among Friends” fundraiser May 26 as... Read more

This is why college theater majors should never marry each other

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Because it leads to things like this: lip-sync performances from “Frozen” on family trips. Dude, keep your EYES ON THE ROAD! Read more

Boom: this Easter, Archdiocese of Washington to bring in largest group of new Catholics ever

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Great news: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, addressed those gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion today that they came together to bear witness to “the desire of so many here to complete their journey that brings them into the Church, and by doing so to publically embrace the cross as the pathway not only to eternal life but to a richer and fuller... Read more

Archdiocese revises teacher contracts, prohibiting gay “lifestyles” and IVF

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It’s happening in Cincinnati: Teachers in Cincinnati Archdiocese schools could lose their jobs if they violate a new employment contract that clamps down on their personal lives beyond school walls. The new contract obtained by The Enquirer has doubled in size and is strikingly different from previous Archdiocese teacher employment agreements. For the first time, it details prohibited practices such as gay “lifestyles,” out-of-wedlock relationships, abortions and fertility methods that go against Catholic teachings. The contract for the 2014-15 school... Read more

Orthodox churches to hold first “ecumenical” council in 1,200 years—UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is news that only breaks once every millennium: Patriarchs of the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians ended a rare summit in Istanbul on Sunday calling for a peaceful end to the crisis in Ukraine and denouncing violence driving Christians out of the Middle East. Twelve heads of autonomous Orthodox churches, the second-largest family of Christian churches, also agreed to hold a summit of bishops, or ecumenical council, in 2016, which will be the first in over 1,200 years. The... Read more