Vatican challenges “interpretation” of cardinal’s remarks on LCWR

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

After Cardinal João Braz de Aviz went public with his unhappiness over the handling of the LCWR probe, the Vatican has responded. Tellingly, the Vatican press office doesn’t deny the substance of the cardinal’s remarks, but instead questions the “interpretation” of them by the media. Details: The Vatican press office issued a statement Tuesday saying recent remarks by a key Vatican official that he had not been consulted before issuing of a controversial 2012 order towards U.S. Catholic sisters do not indicate... Read more

Pope Francis: “A Christian who complains, they become Mr. or Mrs. Whiner, no?”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Vatican news page: A Christian who constantly complains, fails to be a good Christian: they become whiners. Christians should endure their difficulties in silence, in patience to bear witness to the joy of Christ. This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily Tuesday morning, during Mass with staff from the Fabric of St. Peter. Commenting on the first reading of the day, Acts chapter 16, Pope Francis said even in troubling times, Christians are full... Read more

Out the shadows: a mesmerizing piece of performance art you have to see to believe

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Behold, some jaw-dropping and mind-bending performance art. This popped up last month on “Britain’s Got Talent,” the same show that launched Susan Boyle. It’s called “Attraction,” performed by the Shadow Theater Group. Watch and be amazed. Read more

Massachusetts bishop arrested, charged with drunken driving

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Bishop Robert J. McManus, head of the Diocese of Worcester, was arrested for driving under the influence this weekend after police stopped him in Narragansett, R.I., police said. McManus was arrested at 10:32 p.m. Saturday on charges of drunken driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and refusing a chemical test, Narragansett Police Captain Sean Corrigan said. McManus is to be arraigned Tuesday in district court in Wakefield, R.I. “I made a terrible error in judgment by driving after... Read more

Watch this: the remarkable billboard that contains a hidden message for abused children

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: In an effort to provide abused children with a safe way to reach out for help, a Spanish organization called the Aid to Children and Adolescents at Risk Foundation, or ANAR for short, created an ad that displays a different message for adults and children at the same time. The secret behind the ad’s wizardry is a lenticular top layer, which shows different images at varying angles. So when an adult—or anyone taller than four feet, five inches—looks at it they... Read more

Man spends four years writing out the Bible by hand

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Wow: A man in upstate New York has just about finished a task that was common enough until the invention of the printing press: Over the past four years, he has copied the King James Bible by hand, the Associated Press reports. Phillip Patterson, a 63-year-old resident of Philmont, N.Y., a town near the Massachusetts border, may be an unlikely scribe for the Bible. He is not especially religious, for one thing, though he does go to church. A retired interior designer... Read more

“This is not the way the church should function”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A rather startling revelation yesterday from the upper reaches of the Vatican: The Vatican decision last year to place the main representative group of U.S. Catholic sisters under the control of bishops was made without consultation or knowledge of the Vatican office that normally deals with matters of religious life, the office’s leader said Sunday. That lack of discussion over whether to criticize the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), said Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, caused him “much pain.” “We... Read more

Great moments in decisive leadership: Chris Christie, spider man

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Wherein the governor of New Jersey smacks down a spider, and is applauded by everyone except PETA: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has received flack in the past for delivering his smackdowns. But the political figure received some heat from PETA this weekend for laying a palm-faced smackdown on an itsy-bitsy spider before a group of fourth graders. The “thoughtless” act delivered by the Governor was uploaded onto YouTube and later shared by Christiewho Tweeted, “Earlier today I saved a... Read more

To life: Publix salutes moms—and the unborn

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Below, a Mother’s Day ad from Publix supermarkets that carries not only a great message for mothers, but a great message for life. Read about it here. But watch it below. Read more

Stabbing update: New Mexico parish forgives attacker, starts fund for victims

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Remember this story? Here’s more: Members of a Catholic church where three people were stabbed during Mass a week ago launched an effort on Sunday to raise money for victims hurt in the attack. The start of the campaign came as Sunday services resumed at St. Jude Thaddeus Church. Parishioners were also collecting cards and well wishes to give to families. “God is working in and through all of life’s circumstances,” a message seeking donations said on the church’s website.... Read more