“A Brotherhood of Crime”: Five Charged in Leaks of Vatican Documents

November 21, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Three former Vatican officials are among the five people formally charged by the Vatican on November 20 in connection with the so-called “VatiLeaks” scandal. Vatican Radio reported that Monsignor Lucio Vallejo Balda, Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui, and Msgr. Vallejo’s secretary, Nicola Maio, have all been charged with criminal conspiracy “to divulge information and documents concerning the fundamental interests of the Holy See and the [Vatican City] State.” Vallejo and Chaouqui were members of a special commission set up by Pope Francis to advise... Read more

Cardinal Sarah: Even Pope Can’t Dispense With Laws re. Communion

November 19, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

“The entire Church has always firmly held that one may not receive communion with the knowledge of being in a state of mortal sin, a principle recalled as definitive by John Paul II in his 2003 encyclical ‘Ecclesia de Eucharistia.’ Not even a pope can dispense from such a divine law.” Those are the words of Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Veteran Vaticanista Sandro Magister has been no fan... Read more

Ben Carson Explains His “Much Ado About Nothing” Comment; Opposes Euthanasia

November 19, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Pro-life Americans have been concerned this week about a statement by presidential candidate Ben Carson, seeming to say that the torturous euthanasia death of Terri Schiavo was “much ado about nothing.” I wrote about it last week, noting that he had some explaining to do before I could endorse his candidacy. His knee-jerk comment drew fire from Carson’s pro-life base, and he apparently felt it necessary to explain what he really meant and to reassure voters that he is, as he has claimed,... Read more

A New Welcome Mat for the Year of Mercy

November 18, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Pope Francis just gave me an idea: I need a new Welcome Mat to kick off the Year of Mercy, which begins December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Granted, I already have a mat, but it’s seen quite a few sneakers and sandals and sling-backs and stilletos. What once greeted guests with a cherry “Welcome!” has lost its “Come On In and Make Yourself at Home” luster. See what I mean? Ugh! But Pope Francis has just reminded... Read more

Why Catholics (And Everyone Else) Should Stay Away From Horoscopes

November 17, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

“I would like to ask you,” said Pope Francis in his Sunday Angelus address, “…but don’t answer out loud; each one answer to himself: How many are there among us who read the horoscope every day? Each one answer, and when you feel like reading your horoscope, look to Jesus who is with us. This is better and will serve us better.” * * * * * The disciples were interested in... Read more

Devastating Fall Brings Miracle Healing for Annabel Beam

November 15, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

When Annabel Beam was only five years old, she was diagnosed with two painful, life-threatening digestive disorders. Little Annabel was in and out of the hospital frequently. She suffered so much that she once told her mother she’d like to die and go to heaven to be with Jesus, rather than living in constant pain. Anna suffered from pseudo-obstruction motility disorder, a rare condition that simulates the symptoms of a bowel obstruction, and antral hypomotility disorder, in which weak contractions in the... Read more

Live Now on the BBC: Memorial Service at Notre Dame

November 15, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

If you hurry, you can watch this: Beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, filled to capacity with mourners who have come together to honor the memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13. Click this link to watch the solemn service live. Read more

“Much Ado About Nothing”? Ben Carson Just Lost Me Over the Terri Schiavo Case

November 15, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Perhaps you’ve noticed: While I haven’t endorsed a candidate for the presidency, waiting to give them all the opportunity to present their positions on various cases, one candidate who has remained on my “very favorable” list is Dr. Benjamin Carson. Carson is a gentle giant: a statesman who seems compelled toward public office by a sincere desire to serve society, not by a lust for power or prestige. He’s a political outsider like Donald Trump, but one with dignity and an inherent... Read more

Just In: Statement from the Holy See on Paris Terrorism

November 13, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

This just out from Salt + Light TV: The Holy See Press Office has released a statement following the terrible news from Paris. It’s not available yet in English, except for this translation, courtesy of Fr. Thomas Rosica. Read more

BREAKING: Supreme Court to Hear New Abortion Case

November 13, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

On Friday, November 13, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the first new abortion case it’s considered since 2007. That was the year when the Court, in the case of Gonzales v. Carhart, ruled 5-4 to uphold a federal ban on partial-birth abortions. This time, though, the case in question was brought by abortion advocates, who are challenging the constitutionality of Texas’ law requiring abortion clinics to comply with safety standards required at other medical facilities. The Republican-backed law, which... Read more