The Deacon's Bench
Chilling video, from the Boston Globe website. God have mercy. Read more
Chilling video, from the Boston Globe website. God have mercy. Read more
Elizabeth Scalia notes the pope tweeted a little something yesterday that sounds uncannily like the theme from her new book, “Strange Gods.” But it turns out, he was just getting warmed up. In his homily at St. Paul’s yesterday, the Holy Father elaborated: We have to empty ourselves of the many small or great idols that we have and in which we take refuge, on which we often seek to base our security. They are idols that we sometimes keep... Read more
From the Vatican website: Today the Superiors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith met with the Presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in the United States of America. Most Rev. J. Peter Sartain, Archbishop of Seattle and the Holy See’s Delegate for the Doctrinal Assessment of the LCWR, also participated in the meeting. As this was his first opportunity to meet with the Presidency of the LCWR, the Prefect of the Congregation, Most Rev.... Read more
Details: Jesus has been depicted in art as triumphant, gentle or suffering. Now, in a controversial new sculpture in downtown Toronto, he is shown as homeless — an outcast sleeping on a bench. It takes a moment to see that the slight figure shrouded by a blanket, hauntingly similar to the real homeless who lie on grates and in doorways, is Jesus. It’s the gaping wounds in the feet that reveal the subject, whose face is draped and barely visible,... Read more
Here’s something you don’t hear about often: a Catholic parish has erected a memorial to victims of clergy sex abuse. (Commonly known as the “Millstone Memorial,” it’s pictured above.) But the memorial has had a troubled history. Details: A date has been set to rededicate a monument to child victims of church sex abuse that has been destroyed twice in as many years — even though repairs won’t be finished when the ceremony is held. A ceremony will be held... Read more
It’s a question a few people are asking, after Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley became the lone U.S. prelate appointed to Pope Francis’ new advisory panel. Rocco has some very good answers, including one many observers have missed: the two men just like each other. Snip: Asked the day after the election whether it’d be “fair to say you know [Bergoglio] very well,” O’Malley answered with one word:“Yes.” Again, it’s not a claim every Stateside elector could make – in... Read more
It came up yesterday during his homily (which, appropriately, included a mention of the first deacons): To solve the problems of life it is necessary to look reality in the face, ready like the goalkeeper of a football team to grab the ball whatever side it comes from. And without giving in to fear or to the temptation of complaining, because Jesus is always beside every human being, even and especially in the most difficult moments. Pope Francis said this... Read more
This story is rather loosely sourced—there are versions of it here and here—but it’s too good to pass up: A few days ago, at dawn, the time the Pope wakes up, he came out to the corridor, and he found in front of his door the sentry, a Swiss Guard standing with his halberd at attention. He asked him: “And what are you doing here? Have you been up all night?” “Yes,” replied the guard with deference and a bit... Read more
Veteran journo Paul Moses ponders that question over at Commonweal’s blog: There is a lively debate over whether major national news organizations have ignored or downplayed the trial of a Philadelphia abortion doctor who is charged with murder in the deaths of seven babies allegedly born alive and one mother…With the sensational charges made by both sides, the intense emotions (many of the witnesses are dissolving into tears), the high stakes and the important social issues being raised, the Gosnell trial is clearly a... Read more
Deacon Keith Fournier writes: In 1996, on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi), I was ordained to the Order of Deacon in the Catholic Church. When I lay prostrate on the floor that day in preparation for the imposition of the hands of my Bishop and the reception of the Book of the Gospels, I knew my life would never be the same. My ordination created a mark on my soul as our theology... Read more
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