Cardinal Burke: Pope Francis seeks to “pare back every conceivable obstacle” to Christ

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Cardinal Raymond Burke has just published an essay that David Gibson says seeks to reassure conservatives about the pope: As Pope Francis led the world’s cardinals in talks aimed at shifting the church’s emphasis from following rules to preaching mercy, a senior American cardinal took to the pages of the Vatican newspaper on Friday (Feb. 21) to reassure conservatives that Francis remains opposed to abortion and gay marriage. Cardinal Raymond Burke acknowledged that the pope has said the church “cannot... Read more

“I’ve concluded that the criticisms reflect the reporters’ serious misunderstanding regarding how an archbishop’s residence is used”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the assessment of my blog neighbor Kathy Schiffer, who spoke at length with Newark’s Jim Goodness regarding the controversy swirling about the archbishop’s new retirement home. The archdiocese earlier this week posted a statement on its website. Kathy elaborates, and answers some questions: WHY DOES ONE RETIRED MAN REQUIRE SUCH A SPACIOUS FACILITY? He’s got to live somewhere! Archbishop Myers, after a lifetime of service to the Church, owns no personal property. Upon his retirement, he will move from the cathedral... Read more

“You’re gonna talk about tonight for a long time”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Those words kick off this extraordinary video that is rapidly working its way around the world: Anglican Bishop Tony Palmer, addressing a group of evangelicals, and introducing a brief video, shot on his iPhone, featuring his old friend, Pope Francis. This is, in a word, stunning. It’s 45 minutes long, but take time to watch it all. Besides watching a remarkable and heart-felt message about Christian unity, you will be watching an astounding piece of history. I don’t think a... Read more

Holy hit: “Son of God” already popular with churches, religious groups

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Hollywood Reporter: The Jesus Christ-focused film Son of God doesn’t hit theaters until next week, but it’s already a hit with churches and religious groups. These faithful audiences have secured nearly half-a-million tickets to showings across the country, with some renting out theaters and even entire multiplexes for screenings. Produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey and distributed by Fox, Son of God features a mix of old and new footage about the life of Jesus Christ from Burnett and Downey’s hit History Channel miniseries, The Bible.... Read more

Shock: more black babies in NYC killed by abortion than born

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: In 2012, there were more black babies killed by abortion (31,328) in New York City than were born there (24,758), and the black children killed comprised 42.4% of the total number of abortions in the Big Apple, according to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The report is entitled, Summary of Vital Statistics 2012 The City of New York, Pregnancy Outcomes, and was prepared by the New York City Department of Health and... Read more

Canadian archbishop issues decree banning eulogies

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Ottawa Catholics are no longer able to give eulogies for lost loved ones during funeral masses, after the Archbishop for the region issued a decree ending the practice this month. Archbishop Terrence Prendergast issued the decree, effective as of Feb. 2, because he said eulogies take away from what the funeral mass should be about — praying for the deceased and their family, not praising them. Archbishop Terrance Prendergast said priests in Ottawa have long allowed eulogies, but said... Read more

Newark’s statement on archbishop’s retirement residence

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The Archdiocese of Newark has posted a statement regarding the controversy surrounding the archbishop’s future home: The current news coverage about the construction at the Archbishop’s weekend residence contains a number of misrepresentations. In addition, comments from readers that have appeared along with these news stories also contain numerous errors and mistakes. To begin with, the Archdiocese has not maintained a residence for the Archbishop in the Llewellyn Park area of West Orange for decades. The last Archbishop to live in... Read more

Pope welcomes prisoners to his home

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Nineteen prison inmates from Pisa and Pianosa, Italy, were received by Pope Francis on Wednesday morning, 19 February, in the Casa Santa Marta before the General Audience. The Pope prayed with them and for them, and he blessed them before the image of the Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, which is particularly dear to him, explaining to them the root of his devotion. Then, one by one, he greeted them and listened to their stories. For one in particular,... Read more

What will the Church of Pope Francis look like?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s a glimpse. Nicaragua’s Archbishop Leopoldo Brenes departing for Rome, where he will become a cardinal this weekend. Take a deep breath. You just might smell the sheep. Read more

If Jesus had a “Look Back” Facebook video

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Someone was bound to do it, and here it is. The LA Times explains: What would Jesus do if he were on Facebook? Make “A Look Back” video, naturally. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Facebook let users create their own cornball videos featuring their photos, status updates and major life events. Hundreds of millions have done it. There have been many clever spoofs since. Two of my favorites: Walter White’s Facebook retrospective or Grand Theft Auto V’s meth head Trevor Philips. But this... Read more