So, did the media just ignore the March for Life?

Last updated on: January 19, 2019 at 9:06 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Not exactly. You can see the AP video report below. Here’s a roundup of some leads in the coverage from some mainstream media outlets late today. You can click on the links for the complete story and pictures. From The Washington Post: President Trump and Vice President Pence surprised thousands of protesters demonstrating against abortion on the Mall in Washington by making unannounced speeches at Friday’s March for Life. Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, strode onstage to the delighted... Read more

Could you be kept off a jury because you’re Catholic?

Last updated on: January 18, 2019 at 3:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An interesting dissection from Aliza Plener Cover, a law professor: In August, Pope Francis declared the death penalty morally unacceptable in all circumstances and committed the church to its global abolition. This pronouncement broke from previous Catholic teaching, which permitted the death penalty in “very rare” cases of “absolute necessity.” Death penalty abolitionists hold out hope that the pope’s new call to action may eventually sway the American public: Catholic voters and politicians might become more inclined to repeal the death penalty,... Read more

‘Unconstitutional’: Senate says that K of C membership should not disqualify someone from public office

Last updated on: January 17, 2019 at 4:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The Senate yesterday passed a resolution saying it would be “unconstitutional” to consider membership in the Knights of Columbus a disqualifying criteria for public office. The resolution passed by unanimous consent, meaning it went unopposed by senators of either party. The Jan. 16 resolution was drafted and introduced by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) in response to recent questions put to a judicial nominee, which suggested membership in the Knights could prevent someone serving impartially as a judge. Citing the protection of... Read more

In the debate about women deacons, why aren’t we hearing from deacons?

Last updated on: January 17, 2019 at 5:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The other day, I posted on the symposium on women deacons that was just held at Fordham University — and this morning, Rita Ferrone adds more details, with a pastoral perspective: Sr. Donna Ciangio injected a contemporary pastoral ministry component and some lively urgency into the proceedings by describing and quoting the thoughts of lay people in her parish and participants in a pilot study group she conducted on the subject of women deacons. In her parish, for example,... Read more

Vatican releases details of February abuse meeting

Last updated on: January 16, 2019 at 1:09 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Vatican Media: The Director ad interim of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, on Wednesday provided journalists with further information regarding “The protection of minors in the Church” Meeting, to be held in the Vatican from 21 to 24 February 2019. The Organizing Committee of the Meeting gathered in Rome on Thursday 10 January, he said. Afterwards, the Holy Father received in audience the members of the Committee, who updated him on preparations for the Meeting. The February Meeting will... Read more

Wuerl on McCarrick allegations: ‘I forgot’

Last updated on: January 16, 2019 at 8:43 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Washington Post: D.C.’s embattled Catholic leader, Donald Wuerl, under fire in recent days for untruthful statements regarding what he knew about the alleged sexual misconduct of his predecessor, Theodore McCarrick, apologized late Tuesday, saying he forgot he knew about the allegations and that it was “never the intention to provide false information.” Wuerl apologized to former priest Robert Ciolek in the evening and then sent a letter to the priests of the archdiocese, where Wuerl is the acting... Read more

Vatican commission members speak out about research on women deacons

Last updated on: January 16, 2019 at 11:12 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Fordham University last night hosted a symposium on women deacons that featured two members of the papal commission on this subject who, for the first time, spoke publicly about their research. You can watch a video of this, from ta livestream, hosted by Salt + Light, below. Meantime, America magazine spoke with the commission members, as well: Women served as deacons in Europe for about a millennium in a variety of ministerial and sacramental roles, according to Phyllis Zagano, an... Read more

More than one deacon at Mass?

Last updated on: January 15, 2019 at 3:39 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The question popped up this week at Zenit: Q: When two deacons are serving a Mass, it is understood that one deacon should be the deacon for the Liturgy of the Word and the other should be the deacon for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. However, there is disagreement as to whether or not the “speaking” parts transition with the liturgy. Should each deacon have the speaking parts that relate to his assigned liturgy, or should the deacon of the... Read more

New governor swears on a stack of Bibles. Really.

Last updated on: January 15, 2019 at 3:26 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Behold, Governor Mike DeWine (who just happens to be Catholic): Read the story behind all those Bibles here. Read more

When in Rome: Behold, a Mormon temple inspired by a Catholic church

Last updated on: January 14, 2019 at 4:20 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Fascinating: After years that included fasting and praying, waiting and wondering, Latter-day Saint eternal marriages soon will be solemnized in the Eternal City. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open its much-anticipated Rome Temple to public tours from Jan. 28 through Feb. 16. The showcase edifice, reminiscent of ancient Italian architecture, then will be dedicated March 10 through 12 and open to faithful members for religious rites March 19. On Monday, the Utah-based faith held a news... Read more