‘Failure at the top’: landmark investigation shows how bishops failed to police themselves

Last updated on: November 3, 2018 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A sobering and, frankly, shocking assessment from a combined analysis of The Boston Globe and Philadelphia Inquirer: Bishop Robert Finn wasn’t going anywhere. He never alerted authorities about photos of young girls’ genitals stashed on a pastor’s laptop. He kept parishioners in the dark, letting the priest mingle with children and families. Even after a judge found the bishop guilty of failing to report the priest’s suspected child abuse — and after 200,000 people petitioned for his ouster — he refused to go.... Read more

Kavanaugh GoFundMe campaign will donate money raised to Catholic charity

Last updated on: November 3, 2018 at 3:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Nice: Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh turned down more than $600,000 raised by a GoFundMe campaign in his name this week. John Hawkins, the man who started the fundraising campaign, updated the page and posted a statement he said was from Justice Kavanaugh’s legal team. The campaign was closed to new donations on Oct. 6, and had raised $611,645 by then. “Justice Kavanaugh did not authorize the use of his name to raise funds in connection with the GoFundMe campaign. He was not able to do... Read more

‘May their memory be a blessing’: NBC closes the Nightly News with the Kaddish

Last updated on: November 2, 2018 at 11:42 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This may be a first for network news: Cantor Azi Schwartz of the Park Avenue Synagogue recites the Jewish Kaddish as a tribute to the 11 victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Watch below. Read more

This Christmas, the Vatican Nativity scene will be made of sand

Last updated on: November 2, 2018 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNS: Although sand castles and sculptures usually conjure up images of hot summers on the beach, the Vatican will unveil a massive Nativity scene made entirely of sand during the cold Roman winter. According to the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, the Nativity scene displayed in St. Peter’s Square will feature a 52-foot wide sand sculpture from Jesolo, an Italian seaside resort town roughly 40 miles north of Venice. The intricate sculpture, along with a 42-foot-tall red spruce tree donated... Read more

In a time of despair, working on behalf of hope

Last updated on: November 2, 2018 at 3:14 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Earlier today, I was moved to share some thoughts about what is happening in the world these days over at the blog for CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association) which I edit. CNEWA has made working for unity and solidarity a central part of its mission, and I thought attention must be paid: You don’t need a post-graduate degree to notice our world right now is torn apart — and hatred and division are a big part of it. Whether... Read more

Must-see: Father confronts boy bullying his son — choosing kindness over anger

Last updated on: November 2, 2018 at 12:21 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is a story more people need to see. Especially now. Watch below, from Good Morning America. Read more

‘We love each other enough to make sure we’re safe’: Pastor adds bulletproof pulpit, gun mount, trauma bags to church

Last updated on: November 2, 2018 at 11:30 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The mind boggles: At Fort Des Moines Church of Christ, Pastor Mike Demastus says the staff does everything they can to ensure the safety of their congregation. “Sometimes it makes for things to be a little awkward and uncomfortable,” said Pastor Demastus. “People don`t understand why there`s people with head pieces, you know, why are you doing that or whatever? But, it`s all about the fact that we love each other. We love each other enough to make sure that... Read more

New York priest may celebrate funeral Mass for Whitey Bulger

Last updated on: November 1, 2018 at 5:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: An East Village priest who IRA gun runners called “the underground general” may give the Boston funeral Mass for mobster James “Whitey” Bulger, the New York Post reported. A funeral director who provides burial services for poor Irish-Americans asked Father Patrick Maloney if he would conduct the funeral mass for the murderous Boston gangster who was slain in federal prison Tuesday, the newspaper reported. The death of 89-year-old Bulger, who was convicted of 11 murders and several counts of racketeering, is being investigated... Read more

Bishop Grinch: Braxton angers parents when he tells children Santa isn’t real — UPDATE

Last updated on: November 2, 2018 at 6:56 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Good grief: The bishop of the Belleville Diocese in southern Illinois apparently had two very different visits to Catholic schools this week. At Our Lady Queen of Peace in Belleville, he told fifth- and sixth-grade students that there is no Santa Claus and they should not celebrate Halloween, according to parents. At Blessed Sacrament School, he answered students’ questions about clergy sex abuse and famous people he had met, and asked what they would dress as for Halloween, the principal... Read more

Look who’s been added to the Cologne Cathedral: Pope Francis the gargoyle

Last updated on: November 1, 2018 at 10:19 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: To be portrayed in Gothic cathedrals among statues, bas-reliefs and stained-glass windows was a reason for pride, especially in those majestic buildings known as “factories” for the continuous addition of new masterpieces or their renovation. That is why the Dombauhütte of Cologne (the organization that brings together all the associations of those who work for the maintenance and care of the Cathedral) has dedicated a figurine to Pope Francis: a small gargoyle smiling on the main portal. “It is... Read more