Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Asked if during an October Synod of Bishops on the Amazon the ordination of viri probati, meaning mature, married men strong in their faith and usually considered as candidates to be ordained deacons will come up, Taborda said “that’s what this is about.” Married priests will be on agenda for the Amazon synod, theologian says :

Melbourne archbishop notes “surprise” at Pell verdict; Vatican agrees :

Born at just 9.45oz, five months in intensive care has this baby ready to face the world. This little tyke weighed in at a scant 5.25oz less than my brother did 61 years ago when he was born. He turned out great despite early predictions of doom and gloom at the time of his birth. With advances in medical technology today, no doubt this latest tiny tot will thrive as well. The will to live is an amazing drive in God's children... for which we should all be most thankful. The world's smallest baby boy grows big enough to leave hospital :

Is it okay to ask God for a sign? --Aleteia :

Most of us are here to learn but those with Down syndrome are here to teach. Tragically too many folks have forgotten this truth. We are all a little worse off as a result. Systematically Exterminating the Disabled :

Axions? Phantom energy? Astrophysicists scramble to patch a hole in the universe, rewriting cosmic history in the process. Have Dark Forces Been Messing With the Cosmos? - The New York Times :

Vatican to open canonical investigation into Cardinal Pell, now in Australian prison | America Magazine

Fr. Rosica, Fraud | Joshua P. Hochschild | First Things :

Although the cases of Theodore McCarrick and Cardinal George Pell may seem similar, there's one big difference: So far, the Church's reformers on abuse aren't convinced Pell is guilty. Vatican contrast on Pell, McCarrick driven by doubt about guilt :

The Pell Affair: Australia Is Now on Trial | George Weigel | First Things :

Cardinal George Pell's Case -- The Evidence against the Cardinal Doesn’t Stand Up | National Review

 The refusal to consider vulnerable adults and homosexuality in the discussion is a severe blow to credibility. Why the Summit Fell Flat, and What Might Happen Next :

At a Vatican conference on clerical sexual abuse, victims spoke of their lives being ruined. Closing the conference, Francis appeared to equivocate. Pope Francis Closes the Vatican's Conference on Child Sex Abuse - The Atlantic :

Letters from the Vatican: #6 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

Jurors were told their deliberations would not consider the laws around medically assisted death, the quality of care provided in long-term care centres, or the potential sentence Montreal man found guilty of manslaughter in death of wife with late-stage Alzheimer’s | National Post :

The Vatican synod currently underway has as its theme the ‘protection of minors’, a category that in our current intellectual milieu triggers a vivid emotional response; for what comes to mind are little children and, if one is of a religious persuasion, the condemnation of Our Lord of those who scandalize such vulnerable souls. Yet … Minors and Majors « Catholic Insight :

The Lustful Elephant in the Room « Catholic Insight :

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx detailed at the unprecedented Vatican summit how the Catholic Church would silence sex abuse victims — while shielding the perpetrators. Catholic Church destroyed records to hide sex abuse, top cardinal alleges - Vox :

Pope Francis’ Concluding Address to Participants of Vatican Summit on Child Protection :

Opinion | Why Celibacy Matters - The New York Times :

Why Laws Forcing a Breach in the Confessional Seal Are in No One’s Best Interest :

Letters from the Vatican: #5 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

Let's hope that the Nevada Legislature rejects this awful bill. Nevada's Life Support Bill Will Push Patients Off Wanted Life Support | National Review :

Dogs Are Better Than Cats Because They Are a Reflection of God's Love – EpicPew :

Catholic Church Abuse Scandals: Pope Francis Cover-Up Is Atrocious | National Review :

There have already been hints during this week’s high-profile summit on clerical sexual abuse that the Vatican may find ways to take our eyes off the prize. Will Vatican snatch defeat from jaws of victory at anti-abuse summit? :

A study of Belgium prisoners, who were killed at their own request, has revealed tragic irony in a country with liberal euthanasia laws. Country that doesn't kill killers OK with killing depressed :

As Catholic leaders from every country gather in Rome to discuss clerical sexual misconduct, local remedies will vary widely in effectiveness. But George Weigel thinks the world can learn much from the American experience. Don’t expect ‘one size fits all’ reforms from abuse summit – Catholic Philly :

Letters from the Vatican: #4 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

Cardinals attending Pope Francis' summit on preventing clergy sex abuse called Friday for a new culture of accountability in the Catholic Church to punish bishops and religious superiors when they fail to protect their flocks from predator priests. Vatican summit on sex abuse focuses calls for accountability | CTV News :

California state lawmakers are introducing a bill that would strip priests of their legal protection for the Catholic Church's sacrament of confession when it comes to child sexual abuse. California bill would require Catholic priests to report child sex abuse revealed in confession | Fox News :

Pope Francis opened a landmark sex abuse prevention summit by offering senior Catholic leaders 21 proposals to punish predators and keep children safe, warning that the faithful are demanding concrete action and not just words. Pope offers 21 proposals to fight abuse at start of summit | CTV News :

Pope Francis opened a keenly anticipated summit on the clerical abuse scandals on Thursday by saying the People of God want "concrete and effective measures," not just "simple condemnations." Opening summit, Pope urges 'concrete, effective measures' on abuse :

Why fasting was previously forbidden on Thursdays in the Catholic Church --Aleteia :

An elderly woman is being taken through the courts over a mural of the Blessed Virgin which she installed over a window in her own home. As the manufactured home park claims improper materials were used, this woman calls it religious discrimination. 85-year-old Florida woman in legal battle over image of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" :

Letters from the Vatican: #3 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

Nearly 4,000 Dutch trans women and trans men given hormones during their gender transition had an elevated risk for strokes, heart attack and blood clots. Sex hormones for gender transitioning hike risk of stroke, heart attacks, study finds | National Post :

“Synodality” and the Rome Abuse Summit | George Weigel | First Things :

The Gospel for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time lays out one of the more ominous truths of Sacred Scripture: ‘The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.’ The Last Full Measure of Devotion: Love Your Enemies :

Sights and sounds from 'Super Bowl week' in Rome :

Letters from the Vatican: #2 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things :

In Canada, a Hockey Revival - The New York Times

What Catholics and Southern Baptists can learn from each other about sex abuse crisis | National Catholic Reporter :

Pray for your bishop with this short prayer --Aleteia :

Opinion | A Nation of Weavers - The New York Times :

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Pope Francis has lifted the suspension imposed in 1983 on Nicaraguan priest and poet Ernesto Cardenal, the Vatican’s ambassador to Nicaragua said in a statement Monday. Pope Francis lifts suspension on Nicaraguan priest, poet | National Post :

Pope Francis called for prayers ahead of an unprecedented summit designed to tackle sexual abuse in the priesthood, a persisting problem that has shaken the faith of Catholics globally and that Francis on Sunday called "the urgent challenge of our time." Church's credibility hangs in balance ahead of sex abuse summit | CBC News :

Most reformers and experts have treated accountability for the cover-up as well as the crime as the end game of the process, but it's actually essential to the beginning. Maybe summit can't do everything, but it better deliver something :

...of introducing us to the theology of Pope Francis: In God’s gift of faith, a supernatural infused virtue, we realize that a great love has been offered us, a good word has been spoken to us, and that when we welcome that word, Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, the Holy Spirit transforms us, lights up our way to the future and enables us joyfully to advance along that way on wings of hope. Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei Where Peter Is does a nice job… | Mark Shea :

Saturday's announcement that ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been defrocked leaves open serious questions about accountability for the cover-up. Despite defrocking, the fat lady hasn't yet sung on the McCarrick saga :

The central thesis of the 576-page book is that “the more a prelate is homophobic, the more likely it is that he is himself gay.” A new exposé on homosexuality in the Vatican is coming out next week. What can we expect? | America Magazine :

Both Cuomo père et fils approach the issue as political animals, and their support for abortion on demand was and is driven by Democratic party politics. Andrew Cuomo and the sad inheritance of ‘personal opposition’ to abortion | America Magazine :

What does it mean to be ‘laicized,’ ‘defrocked’ or ‘dismissed from the clerical state’? Theodore McCarrick Laicized: What Does that Mean? :

Theodore McCarrick's Downfall: A Timeline

What Can We Expect From the Vatican Summit? :

The Ever-Present Totalitarian Temptation | George Weigel | First Things :

Gallup Diocese Moves to ‘Restored Order’ of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist :

Pope Francis on Wednesday approved decrees that advanced the sainthood causes of English Cardinal John Henry Newman and Hungarian Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty. Vatican announces Newman, Mindszenty move closer to sainthood :

Dallaire Initiative seeks Pope’s support to end use of child soldiers - Vatican News :

Muslim man should have had imam at execution, say US bishops :

Cardinal Walter Kasper released criticism of four-page public testimony of fellow cardinal. (Wow! I wonder if Cardinal Kasper even read Müeller's Manifesto. I sure can't see anything objectionable in it.) Cardinal Kasper: Cardinal Müller’s Manifesto Spreads ‘Confusion and Division’ :

A leading expert in the field of child protection has said that while one goal of the upcoming Vatican summit on abuse prevention is to get the world’s bishops on the same page, a uniform solution to the clerical abuse issue doesn’t exist. Ahead of pope's abuse summit, expert warns there's no 'one size fits all' fix :

Pro-Infanticide Catholics Need the Church’s Strongest Medicinal Penalties :

Assuming ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is indeed laicized soon, one thing it won't mean is that all the questions about the McCarrick case have been answered. A simple defrocking won't mean the McCarrick case is over :

BioEdge: Indian man sues parents for giving birth to him :

A new article in a leading transplantation journal defends ODE. Organ donation euthanasia is gaining traction :

President of the Catholic League Responds to Governor Cuomo’s Op-Ed - The Tablet :

The former Vatican doctrinal head upholds key teachings in the face of ‘growing confusion’ about Church doctrine and a ‘growing danger’ that people are ‘missing the path to eternal life.’ Cardinal Müller Issues ‘Manifesto of Faith’ :

On Islam, Francis Follows in Benedict’s Footsteps :

In his new book, soon to be a feature film, Andrew McCarten examines Popes Francis and Benedict XVI — and how having two living popes, for the first time in 600 years, has weakened the papacy. 'The Pope' Tells The Tale Of A Roman Catholic Church With Coexisting Pontiffs : NPR :

The resignation of Pope Francis- La Croix International :

90 years after securing the establishment of the Vatican City State, Holy See diplomats are facing questions from officials over their files on the sexual abuse crisis. On diplomatic milestone, is it time to rethink the role of papal envoys? :

Wojtyłan Fantasies, Revisited | George Weigel | First Things :

Do you ever wonder what the saints would write about if they lived in the age of the internet and had a blog? If the Saints Had Blogs – EpicPew :

Our boring neighbor is a moral leader of the free world. Opinion | Thank God for Canada! - The New York Times :

Catholics have faith, tools to repair a broken world, says archbishop – Catholic Philly

Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Joseph Goebbels In ‘The Reckoning’

The Moral Depravity of Andrew Cuomo & Friends | George Weigel | First Things :

If religious freedom's a process, why not name the elephant in the room? :

If someone tells you that ventilator support for ALS patients always is or is not a morally proportionate alternative, get a second opinion. What About Mechanical Ventilation of ALS Patients? :

Science and Christian Theology Mutually Inform One Another - Crisis Magazine :

Now as soon as anyone claims that under the 1983 Code the application of a sanction, let alone of excommunication, indeed a latae sententiae excommunication, is available by a “straightforward application” of the law, canonical warning bells should go off. But does Governor Cuomo's actions in supporting and signing the recent abortion rights bill perhaps warrant such an excommunication on the grounds of heresy. In this article, Ed Peters, a noted canonist, looks at the possibility. On excommunicating Andrew Cuomo for heresy | In the Light of the Law :

The+beliefs+of+the+Catholic+Church+are+defined+by+two+thousand+years+of+careful+writings%26nbsp%3Band+a+slow+process+of+understanding+the+revealed+truths.%26nbsp%3B+This+has+brought+us+our+Catechism%2C+our+Creed%2C+encyclicals+such+as+Humanae+Vitae%2C+and+other+so... :

Trump Administration Moves to Protect Religious Adoption, Foster-Care Providers :

Study shows religion and spirituality are beneficial for those at risk of depression :

Pope becomes parish priest of Catholics on Arabian Peninsula :

Italian protesting clerical abuse arrested in front of the Vatican :

“There is no alternative: We either build the future together or there will not be a future,” Pope Francis said frankly in an important keynote address to participants at the high-level inter-religious meeting in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4. “Religions, in particular, cannot renounce the urgent task of building bridges between peoples and cultures,” he told the 700 representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism and other religions at an open-air gathering at the memorial to the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. Pope Francis to world’s religious leaders: We build the future together or there will be no future | America Magazine :

Opinion | The Church and the Abortion Capital - The New York Times :

There’s a strong case that Islam has – or, at least, should have – replaced Judaism as the Church’s paradigmatic interfaith relationship, which suggests the need for a new model of interreligious dialogue. Can UAE trip push past both Regensburg and ‘Can’t we all just get along?’ :

An overview of Pope Francis’ trip this week to the United Arab Emirates :

Why Pope Francis' UAE visit is so historic :

Catholic News World : #BreakingNews Sister of Mother Teresa's Order in Prison for over 7 months - Please Pray :

A champion of the voiceless :

Catholic bioethics a changing reality around the world :

3 Keys to Credibility at the Upcoming Sex Abuse Summit :

Did You Know? How the Rosary Got Its Name | uCatholic :

Asia Bibi to live in Canada, sources say : Asia Bibi’s ordeal may finally be coming to an end.

The cosmic struggle between good and evil: Is it real? :