Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Amazon synod, abuse crisis dominate 2019 for Pope Francis

Is it appropriate for a priest to accompany a person who had chosen to undergo assisted suicide? Debate over Vatican official’s assisted suicide remark driven more by ideology than reality | America Magazine :

National Geographic | Science

Forcing a Hospice to Euthanize in Canada | National Review

Should religion and politics mix? - The Washington Post :

Pope Francis has abolished the pontifical secret for sexual misconduct cases concerning clerics, reports America’s Vatican correspondent Gerard O'Connell, a decision long called for by survivors of abuse. Pope Francis abolishes the pontifical secret for sexual misconduct cases involving clerics | America Magazine :

For everyone tempted to complain about how "the bishops" have reacted to the clerical sexual abuse crisis, there’s also Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Dowd of Montreal. Montreal's Dowd shows different face of 'the bishops' on the abuse crisis :

Pope Francis is now making testimony collected in canonical processes available to legal authorities. The Pope abolishes the pontifical secret in cases of sexual abuse - Vatican News :

On abortion and LGBT issues in particular, progressives insist Canada is only strong when complete homogeneity exists. What Andrew Scheer’s fall says about Canada’s hypocritical embrace of diversity - The Washington Post :

Did ‘Thousands’ of Women Die from Illegal Abortions Before Roe v. Wade? WaPo Says No :

Why Pope Francis’ Appointment of Cardinal Tagle Is Significant

Secularism’s Anti-Charter Ugliness by Ray Pennings - Convivium Magazine :

US Catholic priests describe turmoil amid sex abuse crisis :

'All French are Catholic,' Quebec premier raises eyebrows with religious comment in California | CTV News

During her recent visit to Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unexpected stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and left a bouquet of white flowers “on behalf of the American people,” after asking who painted the famous image. Hillary Clinton leaves flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, asks ‘Who painted it?’ :

Latin America turns to Our Lady of Guadalupe in plea for peace

Books for Christmas—2019 | George Weigel | First Things :

Tangled Web of Transactions Utilized to Fund Bankrupt Italian Hospital :

Helping society move from a throwaway culture to “one that cares” is the goal of a Dec. 11-12 conference co-organized by the Vatican. Vatican to host interfaith meeting on end-of-life issues :

How These 10 Proverbs Help in Every Day Life

Recalling Venerable Fulton Sheen’s Passing 40 Years Ago : COMMENTARY: Fond memories of the holy archbishop, who loved Mary, the Eucharist and the priesthood.

The Christmas scene in California depicts Jesus's family as separated refugees. Church nativity displays Jesus, Mary and Joseph in cages, separated at the border - The Washington Post :

Some congregations can now tithe by computer, smartphone, tablet or card reader. Beyond the collection plate: These Maryland churches are preaching the value of electronic giving - The Washington Post :

Vatican Investments Linked to Global Money Laundering Investigations :

Taking the Role of All the Baptized in Church Leadership Seriously | Church Life Journal | University of Notre Dame

We can’t wait for Christmas, not even at the Vatican

Boy born to mothers who carried baby in both wombs - BBC News :

At the end of another long day trying to sign up new clients accusing the Roman Catholic Church of sexual abuse, lawyer Adam Slater gazes out the window of his high-rise Manhattan office at one of the great symbols of the church, St. Patrick's Cathedral. "I wonder how much that's worth?" he muses. "It's not a cash grab," he said. "They want to have a voice. They want to help other people and make sure it doesn't happen again."I haven't had one person ask me about the money yet." Clearly, the Church is not the only hypocritical party in these affairs. Sadly, it's the actual victim's interests that are being neglected yet again. Surge of new abuse claims threatens church like never before - Religion News Service : (AP) —

Venerable Fulton Sheen’s Beatification Postponed :

The highest judicial authority in Australia will review the Cardinal George Pell case in 2020. A Last Chance for Australian Justice | George Weigel | First Things :

An EXCELLENT response to someone who is thinking of leaving the Church because they do not accept Pope Francis as being a valid or legitimate Pope from someone who is certainly NOT one of the Pope's fans! ASK FATHER: “I utterly reject Bergoglio, so how can I remain a Catholic?” Fr. Z’s rant and beatdown. | Fr. Z's Blog

Bishop Richard J. Malone “had become the lightning rod for all that was wrong,” a lay leader said. Buffalo Bishop Resigns After Scandal Over Secret List of Abusive Priests - The New York Times :

To provide greater insight into the matter, the Register reached out for comment during the recent USCCB fall assembly. US Bishops Discuss Communion Denial in Light of Biden Incident :

“A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Robot Walk Into a Bar” shows knotty questions about the union of religion and technology. A.I. could transform how people experience religious faith. :

 51% said Scheer's personal faith had a negative impact on their opinion of him, while 24% said the same about Singh, who is a practising Sikh. Media coverage about Andrew Scheer’s faith hurt him with voters: Angus Reid poll | National Post :

Director Fernando Meirelles manages to make the philosophical discussions between the two lead characters far more interesting than they have any right to be. Chris Knight: The Two Popes tells story of Benedict XVI and the future Francis I with humour, sharp writing | National Post :

As the Roman Catholic Church marks the golden jubilee, it is a good time to separate the ‘substance’ of its reforms from the ‘accidents’ of its historical context and implementation. Celebrating the Novus Ordo as It Ought to Be :

Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre stands on the site of a Jewish cemetery dating to the time of Jesus. Was this Jesus’ tomb? See the Site in Jerusalem That May Be Jesus’ Tomb :

In its very particularity, the flap over St. Francis Xavier University’s apology to a former student for a plaque honouring Brian Mulroney has general application to what seems a deep error of our day. Questioning the Outrage-Apology Cycle by Peter Stockland - Convivium Magazine :

Fifty years ago, the Catholic Church marked the First Sunday of Advent with the universal implementation of the revised Roman Rite of the Mass. The liturgy wars have not abated since. The Reformed Liturgy, 50 Years Later | George Weigel | First Things :

Two Italian bishops are currently making waves after issuing public statements allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the sacraments and apologizing for having “ignored” these couples in parish life, insisting that their decisions are in line with Pope Francis’s own view. Italian bishops face blowback for opening to divorced/remarried Catholics :

Andrew Scheer has been scrutinized for his personal beliefs while other federal party leaders have not, and this is simply wrong in a democratic nation, writes Maria Harrison. Double standard applied to Andrew Scheer's social conservative views sends wrong message | CBC News :

Brett Salkeld is Archdiocesan Theologian for the Archdiocese of Regina in Canada. He is responsible for deacon formation. His latest book, 'Transubstantiation: Theology, History, and Christian Unity' was published this year. As data shows most Catholics don't accept transubstantiation, new book seeks to help :

The demand moves beyond those of his predecessors, who allowed the weapons for purposes of deterrence. In Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Pope Francis calls for abolishing nuclear weapons - The Washington Post :

Am I My Brother’s Keeper? by Rebecca Atkinson - Convivium Magazine

Rob Flello was removed as a Liberal Democrat candidate for Parliament over his views on same-sex marriage and abortion. Catholic politician kicked out of UK party over religious beliefs :

Civil marriages in Italy now outnumber church weddings :

Charlie's right. It's long past time for Catholics to speak up in defence of our beliefs! Charles Lewis: Time for Catholics to stop the passivity :

N.T. Wright explains the world of the New Testament in new book - Religion News Service

Why Christ is Our King :

Québec has not abandoned religious faith; it has simply redirected that faith toward a state-centered nationalism. Canada Divided Against Itself | David T. Koyzis | First Things :

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Alberta debates conscience rights protection bill 207. :

... Is Asia the next stop for Pope Francis' clergy reform?   The pope has chosen the Amazon region to test moves such as ordaining married men as priests. Clearly, he sees it as a first step to lifting the obligation of celibacy for clergy the world over and not just to address 'emergency pastoral needs' in the Amazon. Is Asia the next stop for Pope Francis' clergy reform? - La Croix International :

Theologian confident pope will approve married priests for Amazonia... and... Theologian confident pope will approve married priests for Amazonia - La Croix International :

The fall meeting of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops brought with it an unexpected invitation. Bishop Thomas Dowd: Documentary sets stage for challenging dialogue : 

Some prominent figures in Australia are putting their heads above the parapet to express doubts about the cardinal’s conviction. Is Australian Public Opinion Shifting in Cardinal Pell’s Favor? :

NATIONAL AFFAIRS Cardinal Pell's appeal to go to High Court

Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute in Denver. She spoke to Charles Camosy about her new book, 'God: What Every Catholic Should Know.' Author looks at what every Catholic should know about God :

The idea that aging is not inevitable is now in the mainstream. ‘Transhumanist’ eternal life? No thanks, I’d rather learn not to fear death. - The Washington Post :

A new poll by the Pew Research Center found that majorities of Americans say that churches and religious organizations do more good than harm and that they strengthen morality in society. Americans still hold positive views about religion’s role in society - The Washington Post :

Australian court to hear jailed cardinal's appeal - La Croix International :

Extensive Reforms Already Underway at US Seminaries

New head of Vatican's economy office needs pope's strong backing to succeed

George Pell: Australia court will hear top Vatican official's appeal for abuse conviction - The Washington Post

FAITH: Are Christians second class citizens in Canadian society? | Pembroke Daily Observer :

Lack of ethics leads to 'throwaway' culture, Pope Francis says :

Freedom, Including Religious Freedom, Is Never Free – Catholic World Report

Catholics know how important death is and need to share it. Death should be talked about--Aleteia :

Why We Pray Before the Blessed Sacrament :

The Church must learn to discern charisms for service. The Church must learn to discern charisms for service - La Croix International :

A conversation with Cardinal Raymond Burke. Opinion | Cardinal Burke: ‘I’m Called the Enemy of the Pope, Which I Am Not’ - The New York Times :

Opinion | What Will Happen to Conservative Catholicism? - The New York Times :

Priests would die rather than break seal of confession, says English Cardinal :

Toronto Catholic board votes to include gender terms :

Charles Lewis: Our leaders could use a lesson in humility :

The Catholic church needs to get back to the business of evangelization says author and theologian George Weigel | Food + Living | lancasteronline.com :

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Québec - 1331 reported euthanasia deaths (April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019) At least 13 deaths did not comply with the law.

Has denying Communion lost its political luster? - Religion News Service

For all its faults, the Catholic Church in the United States lives the New Evangelization better than any other local Church in the developed world. Fearlessness and the American Bishops in Rome | George Weigel | First Things :

Those maintaining standards of life and behavior at odds with the religion of human rights are increasingly treated as dissenters and pressured to conform. Canada’s State Religion | David T. Koyzis | First Things :

It’s not enough to simply be outraged by these accusations; we need to know how to intellectually combat them. Father James Martin’s Exercise in Fallacy :

Spirituality is visible in other sports, but in the NHL it's often private. "It's personal, but I respect that," one player said. How the roles of religion and faith have evolved in the NHL – The Athletic :

There was controversy this week over a Catholic priest refusing to let Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden receive Holy Communion because of his support for abortion. Why Biden being denied Communion is a big deal for people of faith | Fox News :

In an effort to defend their church from destruction, a congregation of Catholics in China’s Hebei province have barricaded themselves within their sanctuary and refuse to leave. Catholic Chinese community refuses to leave church scheduled for demolition -- Aleteia :

In praise of Purgatory: 4 Points to ponder about your hour of death :

Excavation at site of ancient Shiloh offers evidence for biblical accounts :

Nurturing Saintly Supplication: Imploring the Intercession of Heavenly Friends :

Decades of debate, war and secularization shaped the church's encounter with the modern world long before the council, writes George Weigel. By understanding their past, Catholics can better engage in the present while envisioning their future. Clamor over Vatican II misreads church history – Catholic Philly :

Scientists are baffled: What’s up with the universe? - The Washington Post

Joe Biden reportedly denied Communion at a South Carolina church because of his stance on abortion - The Washington Post

Dechristianity by the numbers | Damian Thompson | Standpoint :

Three reasons the narrative of rapid secularization is incomplete. Opinion | The Overstated Collapse of American Christianity - The New York Times :

Synod-2019 cast in sharp relief the grave doctrinal and theological issues facing the Church. LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD-2019: #9 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

The plan seeks to address a priest shortage in the Amazon region. But it touches on core traditions of the church. Roman Catholic bishops propose opening priesthood to married deacons in the Amazon region - The Washington Post :

When Canada's medical assistance in dying law was passed in 2016, the widespread assumption was that it excluded those with a dementia diagnosis. But Gayle Garlock decided to challenge that assumption and to test the limits of the law. B.C. man is one of the first Canadians with dementia to die with medical assistance | CBC Radio :

Dutch EAS doctors use past statements to determine what demented patients want. Researchers cast spotlight on euthanasia for dementia in the Netherlands :

The journal Nature has been following Rebrikov’s experiments closely. BioEdge: Russian biologist still plans to edit human genome :

BioEdge: Texas divorce case opposes two views of child transgenders :

What the Pew Survey Reveals About Belief in the Real Presence. Lack of Eucharistic Belief: Faithful Affected by Secularism’s Strong Pull :

Participant says debate on ordination distracted synod from more important issues

New complaint filed against Indianapolis archdiocese in gay marriage case

François Ozon's coolly devastating drama 'By the Grace of God' follows survivors of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest in Lyon, France. Review: 'By the Grace of God' explores France's Catholic Church scandal - Los Angeles Times :

About the election, three observations: one about history, another about campaigns, and the third about religion. Losing Our Faith in Political History by Raymond J. de Souza - Convivium Magazine :

Charles Lewis: When does a baby become an ‘it’? :

John XXIII knew that the Church’s evangelical mission would only meet the needs of the day if it were anchored in the ancient, abiding truths bequeathed to it. The Ideological Hijacking of Pope St. John XXIII | George Weigel | First Things :

Final synod document expected to mention female deacons - Religion News Service

'Border Church' and 'Border Mosque' team up for prayer service - Religion News Service

It made a great difference to the future of Christianity that the first Christians turned left rather than right when leaving the Holy Land on mission. Letters From the Synod-2019: #8 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD-2019: #7 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

Leaked documents detail $200 million Vatican deal for swanky London property :

One could make the argument that the Vatican II figure to whom Pope Francis is closest actually isn’t John XXIII but rather Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro of Bologna, Italy, the council’s leading apostle of the “option for the poor.” Vatican II's forgotten apostle of the poor stages comeback at Amazon synod :

Click to Pray eRosary: Vatican releases 'official prayer app of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network' - The Washington Post :

 Judging from Friday’s reports, the Oct. 6-27 Synod on the Amazon, there’s overwhelming consensus on most points, such as Pope Francis’s call for an “integral ecology.” Yet even within that climate of basic harmony, there were also scattered notes of dissent on two hot-button questions: Married priests and women deacons. Amazon synod reports support, dissent on married priests and women deacons :

The conversation at Synod-2019 drinks more deeply from the wells of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Margaret Mead than from the living waters of biblical revelation. Letters From the Synod-2019: #6 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

If the Catholic Church were Microsoft or Walmart, it would have implemented a plan a long time ago to shift personnel to where its markets are growing. Instead, it’s effectively doing the opposite. In synod's married priests debate, somebody finally names elephant in the room :

The religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip, with both Protestantism and Catholicism experiencing losses of population share. In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace | Pew Research Center :

Contrary to both traditionalist and progressive misconceptions, Catholicism was not a placid institution, free of controversy and contention, prior to Vatican II. Historical Clarity and Today’s Catholic Contentions | George Weigel | First Things :

Letters From the Synod–2019: #5 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

Peddling the idea that any Christian pro-life group has the will to undemocratically infiltrate our government is irresponsible journalism. Barbara Kay: Stop the conspiracy theories about Canadian Catholics in government | National Post :

Pope Francis continues to champion the importance of science in our world. Having the head of the Catholic Church support various scientific movements is a win for us all. Pope Francis and the Catholic church continue to look towards science, and that can only be a good thing :

New “secret” documents expose Justin Trudeau’s role in barring children’s camps from Canada Summer Jobs grants - Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms :

To give Alzheimer’s patient Mary Wilson the death she sought, her physicians had to make a tough decision in a short time – and risked going to prison if they got it wrong. Now they’ve been cleared of wrongdoing in a decision that could have wide-reaching implications for tens of thousands of Canadians. Wide reaching implications indeed! This is another step down that infamous 'slippery slope' diminishing the value of life. Why? Because with this decision life has now been reduced to one's cognitive capabilities. That should worry all Canadians a great deal imho. Alas though, I doubt that it will. From dementia to medically assisted death: A Canadian woman’s journey, and the dilemma of the doctors who helped - The Globe and Mail :

Vatican Inculturation Document Sets Limits on Amazonian Rite Proposal :

Bishop José Luís Azcona is among the minority of Brazilian prelates to raise concerns about the synod, calling the Vatican meeting’s preparatory document “weak and inconsistent.” Lonely voice in Brazilian episcopate speaks against synod document :

Pope says Newman an example of everyday sainthood at canonization Mass :

Domenico Giani resigned after being unable to identify the source of a leak of a confidential Vatican security notice connected to ongoing financial investigations. Head of Vatican security resigns following news leak connected to internal financial investigation | America Magazine :

Letters From the Synod–2019: #4 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :