Flush with bigotry: Florida professor compares a priest to a toilet, because they’re both “full of s***”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Tampa Tribune, by way of Kathy Schiffer: A Catholic watchdog group is accusing a University of South Florida professor of mocking priests by comparing them to a toilet in a presentation at a recent academic conference. The professor contended his use of the symbolism was misinterpreted and was academically valid. The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights has complained to USF President Judy Genshaft and other university officials about an incident involving Timothy Weil, a professor of... Read more

RIP Bill Graham, drama professor and teacher of preachers

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Washington Post: William H. Graham, an acting director and teacher who led the drama department of Catholic University, directed and acted in plays at the Olney Theatre, and gave lessons to clergymen on preaching and politicians on public speaking, died Oct. 15 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md. He was 87. The cause was acute kidney failure, said his daughter, Carole G. Lehan… …As a leader of liturgical workshops, Mr. Graham told homilists to emphasize “personal... Read more

What did they do with those misspelled “Lesus” medals?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

According to this tweet, the pope gave them out today. (How long until they turn up on Ebay??) No one should be surprised that the pontiff made use of them. A few months ago, Pope Francis cautioned us against letting anything go to waste: A few days ago, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, we read the story of the miracle of the loaves: Jesus feeds the crowd with five loaves and two fishes. And the conclusion of the piece... Read more

Quote of the day: “Do you waste time with your children?”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

“When I hear the confession of a young married man or woman, and they refer to their son or daughter, I ask, ‘How many children do you have?’ and they tell me. Maybe they’re expecting another question after that, but I always ask, ‘And tell me, do you play with your children? Do you waste time with your children?’ The free gift of a parent’s time is so important.” —Pope Francis, speaking to the Pontifical Council for the Family today. Read more. Read more

Christians in Iran sentenced to 80 lashes for drinking communion wine

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: A court in the Iranian city of Rasht has sentenced four members of the Church of Iran denomination to 80 lashes each for drinking wine during a communion service. The verdict, dated 6 October, charges Behzad Taalipasand, Mehdi Reza Omidi (Youhan), Mehdi Dadkhah (Danial) and Amir Hatemi (Youhanna) with drinking alcohol and possession of a receiver and satellite antenna. They received the verdict on 20 October and have ten days to appeal the sentence. Behzad Taalipasand and Mehdi Reza... Read more

“Syria is walking the Way of the Cross”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Heartbreaking: Bombs, kidnapping and financial extortion are among the problems facing Syria’s Christians, the leader of the country’s Catholics told a meeting in Westminster Cathedral Hall. Speaking to more than 300 benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need, Patriarch Gregorios III – the head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church – said: “Syria is experiencing a lengthy, bloody way of the cross, stretching along all the country’s roads.” The patriarch, who is president of the Assembly of Catholic... Read more

Bishop diagnosed with hepatitis; hundreds may have been exposed

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The Fargo Catholic Diocese’s new bishop may have exposed hundreds of church members here and in Jamestown to the hepatitis A virus in late September and early October. The North Dakota Department of Health issued an advisory of exposure on Thursday for anyone who attended church and had communion at the following churches: Holy Spirit Church, Fargo, on Sept. 27 Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo, on Oct. 6 St. Paul’s Catholic Newman Center, Fargo, on Oct. 7 St. James... Read more

Number of baptisms falling

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Cathy Lynn Grossman at Religion News Service takes a closer look at what’s causing this, across many denominations: Last month, Pope Francis gave the sacrament a boost when he called a pregnant, unmarried woman to encourage her faith and offered to baptize her baby. While his main message was anti-abortion, his call also reminded Catholics that children of unmarried parents are welcome in the church. Yet, it seems unlikely that even these leading voices in Christendom will reverse the nose-diving rates of... Read more

April’s canonizations in Rome could draw record crowds

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Thinking of making the trip? You better like crowds. From Religion News Service: Vatican officials say they expect next year’s celebration for the canonizations of former popes John Paul II and John XXIII to be attended by as many as 100 heads of state in what is likely to be the biggest draw in the city since John Paul’s funeral in 2005. The crowd estimates were made Tuesday (Oct. 22), the feast day for John Paul. This will be the... Read more

Pope Francis: “The problem of intolerance must be faced in its entirety”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From VIS: This morning Pope Francis received a delegation from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, an international Jewish organisation for the defence of human rights, and praised its work in fighting “every form of racism, intolerance and anti-Semitism, preserving the memory of the Shoah and promoting mutual understanding through education and social action”. The encounter with the Simon Wiesenthal Centre had been arranged with Pope Benedict XVI and the Holy Father emphasised that the Pope emeritus is always in “our affectionate... Read more