Category Archives: Church News

Atlanta Apology

Posted on 1 April 2014 by

Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s mansion has become the cause celebre for many conservative Catholics who, stung by their association with other bling bishops, think that the Catholic Left’s campaign against the dwelling places of the one percent is hampered by ideological … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops, Church News | Tagged | 3 Comments

Liturgical Improvisation, Falling in Love, and Four Wives

Posted on 29 March 2014 by

What do these three things have in common? It sounds like the kind of joke that would walk into a bar. But it’s the arc of parish life in Mount Carmel, Illinois. Think about it, then check this link to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary | Tagged | 2 Comments

History v Theology?

Posted on 28 March 2014 by

I’m not sure what Fr John Shea expects to accomplish here. I think I perceive his hope. It’s an unrealistic hope at this juncture. There will be no theological discussion. The people responsible, with the probable exception of the Bishop of … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops, Church News, Politics | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Selling Art?

Posted on 17 March 2014 by

At RNS David Gibson relays an open question the Philadelphia archdiocesan seminary is discerning: selling valuable works of art. The seminary rector, Bishop Timothy Senior on the matter: It’s not a museum. It’s a seminary. (It) is in very serious … Continue reading →

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A High Road Moment?

Posted on 17 March 2014 by

People are thinking about protesting Fred Phelps’ immanent funeral. I have a firm opinion on this one. Take the high road and leave the dude’s loved ones alone. Keeping it classy says it with style. Still, that isn’t to say there’s … Continue reading →

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A Train Wreck

Posted on 12 March 2014 by

It’s a nice image, I suppose, multiple tons of locomotive daring to drive where no rail has gone before. Blogger John Vennari, who’s been cited on a handful of sites as the poster boy for Francis Derangement Syndrome: Though this … Continue reading →

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The Vice Principal Strikes Back

Posted on 9 March 2014 by

Eastside Catholic School’s fired vice principal sues his former employer and the Archdiocese of Seattle. One had to figure this case would eventually lead to litigation. It’s almost a religious ritual in American society today. Not only do high-profile disagreements … Continue reading →

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Frontline on Catholic Scandal

Posted on 27 February 2014 by

I missed the airing time on tv the other night, so I watched the Frontline program “Secrets of the Vatican” online this morning. A lot of journalistic work went into this. Some big people come off looking very bad. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, sex abuse | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Resignation Valid

Posted on 27 February 2014 by

Pope Emeritus Benedict lays down the law on his resignation: There is absolutely no doubt regarding the validity of my renunciation of the Petrine ministry. … (T)he only condition for validity of my resignation is the complete freedom of my … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis’ Letter To Families

Posted on 25 February 2014 by

If you live with one or more people in a serious way, Pope Francis has written a letter to you. Caution: this isn’t the length of your average theological or biblical letter. It’s like letter-length. But not hardcore like ancient … Continue reading →

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Cardinal Pell To Rome

Posted on 25 February 2014 by

Mixed reports yesterday about the possibility of Cardinal George Pell, his continent’s representative in the octocards, staying in his Sydney archdiocese and running Vatican finances from afar. It appears to be not the case. The Cardinal will go to Rome. … Continue reading →

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The Best Bearer of Bad News

Posted on 24 February 2014 by

John Allen comments on the worry among some cardinals that Catholics are heading for a Humanae Vitae moment with divorced and remarried Catholics. Are hopes rising only to be dashed later? Mr Allen doesn’t think the comparison is a good … Continue reading →

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Kansas City Settlements

Posted on 23 February 2014 by

I noticed that two abuse lawsuits were settled in my former diocese. I don’t know if this is the end of the Shawn Ratigan affair from the perspective of legal action against the diocese. The families suing could have been … Continue reading →

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Cardinal Kasper Talks The Talk

Posted on 21 February 2014 by

No official text (yet) of Cardinal Kasper’s address to the cardinals. Vatican Insider sums it up here. The PrayTell thread unraveled a bit last night, revealing a bit of obscenity (literally) on the part of one of tradition’s defenders. The … Continue reading →

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The Seven-Percent Section

Posted on 20 February 2014 by

It seems that the bulk of canon lawyers are working on numbers 1055-1165, about seven percent of the legal corpus. What happens if, over the next few years, taking action on declarations of nullity fades away? Will the Church’s canon … Continue reading →

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