Where the Rubber Hits the Road

A University of Oslo scholar says a moral case could be made for allowing people to legally change their age if their biological and emotional age doesn't match their chronological age. If 50 is the new 40, should we be allowed to change our birth certificates? | National Post :

Selling people the Vatican "gets it" on abuse a challenge right now :

The Catholic News Agency, citing anonymous sources, reported that the pope is going to appoint Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory to replace embattled D.C. Cardinal Donald Wuerl. But the news was overshadowed by suspicions about the leaks. Report that Pope Francis has picked a new D.C. archbishop eclipsed by doubts and conspiracy theories - The Washington Post :

A lawsuit has brought fresh scrutiny upon the behaviour of Rev. Erlindo Molon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Kamloops, B.C., in the 1970s and the church's response to it. Questions raised about possible ‘secret archive’ of historical sex abuse records in lawsuit against B.C. ‘playboy’ priest | National Post :

Religious symbols: What you need to know about Quebec’s secularism law | Ottawa Citizen :

Young moral theologians seek to put 'new wine into new wineskins' :

Pope Francis on the importance of the Seal of Confession - Vatican News :

More than 10 churches have been hit since the beginning of February, with some set on fire while others were severely desecrated or damaged. Vandals, arsonists target French Catholic churches – Catholic Philly :

Pope Francis has issued sweeping new sex abuse legislation for Vatican personnel and Holy See diplomats overseas, requiring the immediate reporting of abuse allegations to Vatican prosecutors.  (emphasis added) Is this really a change in policy? Pope Francis requires immediate reporting of sex abuse in new policy :

CTVNews.ca takes an in-depth look at the proposed legislation to ban the wearing of religious symbols by some public-sector workers in Quebec. Quebec religious symbols ban: How it will work | CTV News :

Organizer of pope's anti-abuse summit terms it 'partly a success' :

Resignations and Appointments

The crisis is revealing vastly different ideas of what the Catholic Church is really about. What caused the clergy sex abuse crisis? Catholic universities are pushing for debate on the answer. - The Washington Post :

St. Luke proclaims the Parable of the Prodigal Son on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and it has a fascinating back story. Is there a sin that is beyond the mercy of God? The Compassion of God: The Parable of the Prodigal Son :

An Open Letter to Cardinal Reinhard Marx | George Weigel | First Things :

Watch Bishop Thomas Dowd shares thoughts after Montreal priest sentenced for sexually abusing minors. Bishop Thomas Dowd shares thoughts after Montreal priest sentenced for sexually abusing minors | Watch News Videos Online :

One-third of American Catholics consider leaving Church, Gallup reports : News Headlines | Catholic Culture :

Police are investigating after Edmonton parishioners, armed with canes, protected their priest from an unprovoked assault. Women wielding canes fend off man attacking Edmonton priest | CBC News :

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Euthanasia activist outlines expansion of euthanasia in Canada. :

The founder of Women Church World said the magazine was surrounded by a climate of mistrust and delegitimization. Lucetta Scaraffia resigns from Vatican women's magazine over pressure - The Washington Post :

Opinion | A God Problem - The New York Times :

Bishop Kay Schmalhausen of Ayaviri, Peru believes current punishments for both the crime of clerical sexual abuse (usually expulsion from the clerical state) and the cover-up are ineffective, and suggested harsher penalties including excommunication. Peru bishop wants excommunication for abuse scandals, not just defrocking :

What Aristotle can teach you about the 3 types of friends in your life :

Follow Mary’s F.I.A.T. to say yes to God : Today is the great celebration of the incarnation, the Annunciation, when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” — nine months before Christmas.

What does the word "Annunciation" mean? --Aleteia :

A civil trial is set to begin this week for two doctors accused of ignoring an elderly man's wishes to stay alive and allegedly imposing a "do not resuscitate" order without consulting him or his substitute decision-maker. Toronto doctors sued for allegedly ignoring veteran's wishes to stay alive | CTV News :

If for a second Óscar Romero had glanced through the open doors of the chapel, would he have seen the young man taking aim? Would he have been afraid? Would he have been tempted to flee? Death Comes For the Archbishop: The Martyrdom of Óscar Romero | America Magazine :

The Danger of Conflating Sexual Abuse With Abuse of Power

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, from Quebec City and Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, were two of the top four vote-getters in the 2013 papal election where Pope Francis was elected. American pope? Rare, leaked report from Pope Francis’s election reveals who got votes - The Boston Globe :

In an updated statement released Saturday afternoon, Grou said he bears "no resentment" against the accused. "I hope he has all the support he needs and that he finds peace. I am convinced that he had no personal animosity towards me but that he acted according to his own convictions," said Grou. BRAVO Fr. Grou! A spokesperson for Saint Joseph's Oratory said 77-year-old Father Claude Grou, likely in shock, hadn't realized he'd been hurt after the attack.   (Saint Joseph's Oratory)

The resignation of Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati of Chile, who is facing an investigation by local prosecutors for allegedly covering up cases of child abuse by clergy, has been accepted by the pope. Pope accepts resignation of Chilean cardinal who faces abuse cover-up probe :

According to Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List, these are the countries which perpetrate the greatest crimes against our brothers and sisters in Christ. The 10 most dangerous countries for Christians :

When times get tough, the Bible can add a lot of helpful perspective. Financial worries? Here's some powerful Scripture to help allay your fears -- Aleteia :

 Rev. Claude Grou, rector of St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, was stabbed during a televised Mass this morning. Thank God it appears that he will survive the attack. BREAKING: Montreal priest stabbed during Mass at St. Joseph's Oratory - Grandin Media :

Church leaders are lambasting a letter from a UK government department questioning the religious beliefs of an Iranian Christian asylum seeker. UK denies asylum for Iranian Christian by saying Christianity not a 'peaceful religion' :

The Lenten season can spark many emotions. It can elicit reverence as we prepare to honor the memory of Christ’s Passion, or bring about a sense of sorrow as we adopt an attitude of penitence. History Channel series tells Jesus’ life story according to those who knew him :

Can a clinician actually determine who is a pedophile? Can a test predict who is cut out for a life of chastity? The church promises psychological evaluation for all new priests, despite dubious science. Pope Francis wants Catholic priests to undergo psychological testing to prevent abuse. But will that really help? - The Washington Post :

Houses of worship are receiving an extra measure of security in Canada’s federal budget. Federal budget includes increased funding for protection of churches :

Major renovations are about to get underway at City Hall, and the crucifix is being taken down for the work but will not be put back up when it's done. Crucifix in Montreal council chambers coming down, executive committee says | CBC News :

Rome brings their history back to life with educational projections cast over their many ruins and monuments. Rome combines archaeology and technology for a digital glimpse of the past :

Pope Francis’ Appointments: A Key Measure of His Pontificate :

Marcelo Gleiser, a native of Brazil, became the first Latin American to be awarded the Templeton Prize. A professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College, Gleiser, who is a professed agnostic, was acclaimed as a "scientist who rejects the notion that science alone can lead to ultimate truths about the nature of reality." Templeton Prize winner believes science and spirituality are complementary | America Magazine :

Across the world, Cardinal George Pell’s trial is seen as a victory for an epidemic of anti-Church sentiment. As we near Holy Week, this seems all too familiar. FOR CARDINAL GEORGE PELL, JUSTICE DESCENDS DOWN UNDER :

A court rules that parental resistance amounts to family violence. A father’s rights sacrificed on the transgender altar :

The men of Oberammergau have to make an extra sacrifice every 10 years Oberammergau Passion Play preparations begin, with a pledge--Aleteia :

He was convicted on the word of one person testifying behind closed doors. Lessons from Cardinal Pell’s 6-year jail sentence :

A Tale of Two Georges | George Weigel | First Things :

‘You Have Searched Me’: God’s Special Friendship With Us

Dr. Mary Hirschfeld is Associate Professor of Economics and Theology in the Department of Humanities at Villanova University. She spoke to Crux about the current debate on socialism and capitalism, and how Catholic social teaching takes a different approach. Catholic teaching on economics about the human person, academic says :

Scientists call for global moratorium on “designer babies”

BioEdge: Scientists split over value of moratorium on editing the human germline :

BioEdge: Back to the source: the Hippocratic Oath re-examined :

The authority of the pope comes from Christ, and it is divinely protected. Vatican I clearly teaches that “the See of St. Peter always remains untainted by any error according to the divine promise of our Lord and Savior made to the prince of his disciples” Pope Francis and Papal Authority under Attack - La Stampa :

At the beginning the seventh year of his pontificate, as he became the target of accusations by enemies and former supporters, Pope Francis fully embraces the mystery tied to his ministry: the task of the successor of the fisherman who was crucified upside down in the Vatican Hill area. The mystery of Peter - La Stampa :

Analysis: What’s next for Cardinal Pell? | Catholic Herald :

In light of horrific sex abuse scandals in the Diocese of Buffalo and across the country, a Cheektowaga lawmaker has proposed a new law that would make clergy mandated reporters of child abuse. Priests, other clergy would be mandatory child abuse reporters under proposed New York law :

Tradition is the Democracy of the Dead :

Pope Francis said Friday that he senses resistance to Gaudium et spes, a document the pope said he reflected much upon during his Lenten retreat this week. On Lenten retreat, Pope Francis reflected on 'Gaudium et spes' :

Dear Sam, Someone told me that Christianity is not a religion. That doesn’t make sense to me. What does that mean? Is it true? If it’s not a religion, what is it? Signed, Confused Dear Confused, You know, I’ve heard that too... (Click on link below to read the rest of the answer.) Inside the Issue: A religion? A relationship? What is Christianity? | Pembroke Daily Observer :

Dignified stoicism was the manner of operating in the industry, leaving many struggling personally. A group of Ottawa workers is tackling the issue. Funeral workers are finally opening up about the job's emotional toll - Macleans.ca :

Fr. Raymond J. de Souza: Basilians must search for a ‘priestly’ response :

Rome could learn from an Anglican diocese in southwestern Ontario, which made history in 1857 by electing its bishop. Canadian reforms the Catholic Church needs | The Star :

Cardinal Reinhard Marx said the bishops had unanimously decided on 'synodal progression' that could lead to a binding outcome. German Bishops Announce ‘Synodal Process’ on Celibacy, Sexual Morality :

Charles Lewis: The Catholic writer has a burden of truth :

Reactions to a 6-year prison sentence for Cardinal George Pell range from caution awaiting his appeal to outrage that it wasn't longer. Pell's prison sentence greeted with praise, grief by friends and foes :

It’s a fair question given the extent of horrifying alleged instances of sexual abuse of children and coverups. Has the Catholic Church committed the worst crime in U.S. history? - The Washington Post :

New issues raised over Canada Summer Jobs grants :

How far is the Supreme Court willing to open the public square to more overtly religious expression? A pending case may tell us. Opinion | The Court and the Cross - The New York Times :

This is a book that I read this afternoon. I  highly recommend it ! It can be purchased on Amazon.ca. https://www.amazon.ca/Last-Homily-Conversations-Arne-Panula/dp/1949013014/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Last+Homily&qid=1552516740&s=gateway&sr=8-1

U.S. Catholic frustration and openness to leaving comes at a time when Americans in general are less tied to faith groups. The percentage of Catholics considering leaving due to the sex abuse crisis jumped by 15 percent since the early 2000′s - The Washington Post :

The Holy See and Cardinal Pell | George Weigel | First Things :

Moses and the Prophet Elijah are present for the Transfiguration of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Luke spanning all of Salvation History for the Second Sunday of Lent. Turmoil in Rome and the Transfiguration of Christ :

Archbishop Smith: Chosen and Tempted :

The Flying Fathers put on a show in Pembroke Family Day, beating a team of Pembroke minor coaches, but the real winner was long-term care.When the dust had settled and everyone wiped the whipped cream from their faces, the Flying Fathers won by a score of 18-10, or more than a touchdown. Flying Fathers return to Pembroke for long-term care fundraiser | Pembroke Daily Observer :

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has aspired for more than a decade to be the great Vatican whistleblower, but he may actually have made it more difficult for U.S. bishops to pressure the Vatican to reveal what it knows in the Theodore McCarrick case. Viganò may have made it harder to get to the truth on McCarrick :

Pell conviction a wake-up call. The present management structure of the Church has failed us. New, more representative management is necessary to prevent further implosion. Pell conviction a wake-up call- La Croix International :

Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles believes St. Thomas Aquinas is more relevant than ever in an era of "nones." Barron says Aquinas offers remedy to polarization, rise of ‘nones’ :

After the Vatican Abuse Summit, What Comes Next? : COMMENTARY:

Barron says Aquinas offers remedy to polarization, rise of ‘nones’ :

As church attendance drops and building costs rise, congregations across Canada face the gut-wrenching dilemma of whether to sell, tear down or repurpose their old churches. The National Trust for Canada warns that a third of the 27,000 religious buildings in Canada will be lost over the next decade. From sacred to secular: Canada set to lose 9,000 churches, warns national heritage group | CBC News :

Priests, Good and Bad :

Ever since Australia’s Cardinal George Pell was convicted of child abuse, the journalism folks Down Under have been split on if he’s actually guilty or whether he’s the target of a vicious anti-Catholic campaign. Is Cardinal Pell a perpetrator or victim? Aussie media keep wavering between the two — GetReligion :

Bishops across the country are being forced to acknowledge their failures as they face accusations of covering up facts and protecting abusers. Catholic Archbishop, on His Hands and Knees, Begged for Forgiveness Over Abuse - The New York Times :

Here’s a Methodist congregation that’s not fixated on sex - The Washington Post :

SDG Reviews ‘Captain Marvel’ :

Theologian: Academics must move out of theological 'comfort zones' :

On a day set aside for prayer and atonement for victims of sexual abuse in Poland, a statue of a Cold War-era priest was removed in the city of Gdańsk, after he was accused of abusing minors. Solidarity-era priest accused of abuse a monumental problem for Polish Church :

Pope to Rome clergy: 'put God back at the center' - Vatican News :

Despite its explicit Catholic attributes, N.H.L. players are not known for wearing religion on their sleeves the way players do in other sports leagues, like the National Football League or the National Basketball Association. Meet the most Catholic team in the N.H.L. | America Magazine :

The Synod on the Amazon will be debating ordaining married men to the priesthood, but there are still several questions to be answered before the celibacy rule is relaxed. As debate on married priests reignites, ordaining 'viri probati' faces hurdles :

Confess My Sins to a Priest? Why Can't I Just Talk to God? :

Bishop Barron: Proclaim the Gospel More Boldly in Times of Crisis :

We often think of Lent as the time to give up some of our favorite things, and for many of us alcohol is somewhere near the top of that list. But it was not always so. While voluntary abstinence is certainly commendable, for most of Church history Catholics during Lent were instead preoccupied with the mandatory fast, which was not the piddling two-day affair that it is now (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) but a full forty days. A Catholic’s guide to drinking during Lent :

It is hard to overestimate the importance of confession. Pope Benedict XVI said “The renewal of the Church... depends on the renewal of the practice of penance.” 6 Ways to examine your conscience for Confession :

Pray this Psalm to make your confession more heartfelt --Aleteia :

God is purifying his Church through the painful revelations of the abuse scandals, so do not be discouraged, Pope Francis said Thursday in a meeting with the priests of the Diocese of Rome. Pope Francis: Abuse revelations are purifying the Church :

Le Moyne expert: Pope Francis is caught between crisis and collegiality (Commentary) - syracuse.com :

"One way to capture it is to say that the other divides are born out of separation and inequality, but the racial divide is born out of sin. We don’t talk about sin much in the public square any more. But I don’t think one can grasp the full amplitude of racial injustice without invoking the darkest impulses of human nature." Opinion | The Case for Reparations - The New York Times :

George Pell: To Kill a Cardinal? | uCatholic :

"The prosecutor had also argued against convicting, saying there were no grounds to prove legal wrongdoing" ... and yet, here we are with a cardinal being convicted in a French court. Something is wrong someplace. When the courts convict despite its own prosecutor saying it shouldn't, can there be any doubt that something has gone awry? French cardinal resigns after conviction for failing to act on sex abuse allegations | CBC News :

Forty Days of Lent in a Church Wandering in the Desert

The conviction of Cardinal George Pell in December 2018 on charges of “historic sexual abuse” is this generation’s Dreyfus Affair. Our Dreyfus Case | George Weigel | First Things :

Speaking candidly about racism, like Liam Neeson did, is the only way to get past our demons - The Globe and Mail :

You know you are in a Catholic town when, only during Lent, every single restaurant advertises one item on their menu: fish! Here's why Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent--Aleteia :

We cannot dismiss the campaign to legalize pedophilia as fringy stuff that will get nowhere. It’s real and it’s here and it’s gaining strength. The Pedophile Project: Your 7-Year-Old Is A Target :

The purpose of Lent :

Following news of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction of sexual abuse of minors, several bishops in Australia have have said they are committed to truth and justice, while declining to comment on Pell’s appeal until it has concluded. Australian bishops respond to Cardinal George Pell verdict :

How do we make sense of the aftermath of Vatican II? This book is a clear guide | Catholic Herald :

Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft once found himself arguing with an abortion supporter, and said to her: "Give me one argument that defends abortion that doesn't also defend infanticide." Congress and infanticide - Catholic Standard - Multimedia Catholic News :

Australian Catholic University staff want Greg Craven disciplined over Pell support | Australia news | The Guardian :

The problems with moving Confirmation to before first Communion :

What makes a politician ‘Catholic’? Pope Francis says it’s not a political party. | America Magazine :

Undoubtedly, many cardinals, bishops and priests are holy people. But the overall structure of the Church is clearly broken. The Catholic Church must massively reform to prevent more abuse | National Post :

Pope opens up WWII, Pope Pius XII documents in Vatican Secret Archives :

A new report chronicles the "twin crises" of sexual abuse in the Church and its cover-up. Catholic leadership group offers plan to fight abuse and cover-up :

Beloved Bulletins: Church Communiqués Remain First Line for Information :

Some voices on the Catholic right blame the abuse crisis on homosexuality, while the left tends to fault clericalism, celibacy and the exclusion of women from the priesthood. On ‘gay lobby’ debate, Pope again offers critics the sound of silence :

BioEdge: Womb transplants could be a “vital medical service” for transgender women :

Pro-abortion pundits cannot debunk the scientific facts about life, conception – Catholic World Report

Police investigate desecration of Virgin Mary statue as hate crime | Catholic Herald :

After Cardinal Pell’s conviction, can a tradition-bound church become more accountable? :

A Pew Research Forum study shows millennials are leaving religion in large numbers. But what about the others doing the complete opposite? The Canadian millennials choosing God in a secular world | National Post :

Calling Cardinal Pell’s Prosecution What It Is: Religious Persecution :

Archbishop: No Communion for Catholic Politicians Who Support Abortion : ...

How the child sex abuse scandal impacts the Catholic Church – and Catholics | YouGov :