CATHOLIC NEWS: After exposé, Vicariate of Rome asks clergy leading 'double lives' to leave priesthood... PLUS 33 MORE

CATHOLIC NEWS: After exposé, Vicariate of Rome asks clergy leading 'double lives' to leave priesthood... PLUS 33 MORE

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After exposé, Vicariate of Rome asks clergy leading 'double lives' to leave priesthood

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 10:10 AM PDT

After an Italian media report exposed sexual activity by gay priests in Rome, the Vicariate of Rome responded quickly by calling on all priests who are leading such "double lives" to come out and leave the priesthood for the good of the Church community.

Scenes From a Breather

Posted: 24 Jul 2010 08:59 PM PDT

Fresh from Castel Gandolfo, here's your shot of the week... ...meanwhile, with B16 said to be spending his downtime engrossed in writing the final volume of his Jesus of Nazareth trilogy, it appears that the Pope-white ballcap's made a return during the pontiff's outdoor treks: As even Papa Ratzi's dressing down -- and the Swiss heading...

Two Teachings on Prayer from The Lord

Posted: 25 Jul 2010 08:24 AM PDT

In today's Gospel the Lord Jesus gives two fundamental teachings on prayer. First he gives us a pattern for prayer and then teaches the importance of persistence. Let's look at both in turn. As the Gospel opens we hear the request of the apostles: Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples(Lk 11:2)...

"Inception" is so good..

Posted: 24 Jul 2010 03:23 PM PDT

... it planted this idea in my head: I really need to see it again. If you've seen Inception, you know what I'm talking about. I don't see many movies in the theaters these days; having three young children and a love for playing online bingo from 6:00 to midnight has cut into my flick time (for the record...

Everywhere Present

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 06:23 PM PDT

Everything you do, all your work, can contribute towards your salvation. It depends on you, on the way you do it. History is replete with monks who became great saints while working in the kitchen or washing sheets. The way of salvation consists in working without passion, in prayer…. May God give you the strength to keep your spirit...

Vatican coin now in circulation

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 03:02 PM PDT

Vatican City, Jul 23, 2010 / 05:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Coins bearing the image of Pope Benedict XVI are now in open circulation within Vatican walls. As of this month, Vatican visitors will find that 50 cent pieces are being given as change at places such as the gas station, pharmacy and post office.

The Catholic ‘Siskel & Ebert'

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 02:11 PM PDT

By Tim Drake, Register Senior Writer | NEW YORK — Think of David DiCerto and Steven Greydanus as the Catholic "Siskel & Ebert." They won't mind. When DiCerto first pitched the idea for "Reel Faith," a weekly Catholic movie-review program, to New York's NET-TV, that's exactly how he described it. "As a Catholic film critic...

Ant drinking from a rain drop

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 03:10 PM PDT

(Via Nothing to Do With Arbroath)

Save the Boomers, Save the World

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 02:28 PM PDT

The entertainment industry is in the full throes of the changing of the generations; films and television are beginning to reflect the visions of Generation Xers like Jason Reitman, ( Up in the Air ), Judd Apatow, ( Knocked Up ), Brad Byrd ( Up, The Incredibles ), and other young artists who dare to buck the tired irony-cool cynici.

Does the Catholic Church have a future? Only if it has saints..

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 02:28 PM PDT

Does the Catholic Church have a future? Given the events of the last few months, the question is not impertinent. As Ross Douthat noted in a recent essay in the Atlantic, this was the year when the clerical sexual abuse crisis truly became global, reaching even into the Vatican itself. Douthat observed that "for millions in Europe and America...

Benedict XVI enjoys his vacation at Castel Gandolfo

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 02:23 PM PDT

July 23, 2010. ONLY VIDEO - The pope takes these days to stroll through Castel Gandolfo's gardens. Benedict XVI enjoys nature in a hat and comfortable shoes, accompanied by his personal secretary Georg Gänswein.

Canonization cause for murdered Oklahoma priest moves to Rome

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 03:35 AM PDT

Oklahoma City, Okla., Jul 23, 2010 / 05:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The archdiocesan phase of Fr. Stanley Rother's cause for canonization came to a close in a Mass this week at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. The local archbishop expressed his conviction during the homily that the missionary is both a martyr and a saint.

A Secular Media View of the "Catholics Come Home" Campaign

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 08:11 AM PDT

Catholics everywhere are deeply distressed by the priestly sexual abuse scandals that have convulsed the Church over the past decade, but it seems that Boston-area Catholics have been among the most traumatized by them. In a certain sense, Boston was the epicenter of the scandal-quake that rocked the Church in the U.S...

Vatican publishes the decree of powers of the commissary of the Legion of Christ

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 05:21 PM PDT

July 23, 2010. The papal delegate to the Legion of Christ, Archbishop Velasio De Paolis, is the person responsible for the Congregation. Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone clarified this in a decree sent to the Order to explain the delegate's role.

Shirley Sherrod and the Power of Redemption

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 09:49 AM PDT

She was smeared by right-wing media, condemned by the NAACP, and canned by the Obama administration. It wasn't pretty, what was done this week to Shirley Sherrod. And maybe something good can come of it. The thought occurred to me after reading her now-famous speech, which is about the power of grace and the possibility of red.

A Vatican literacy quiz

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 07:56 AM PDT

I happen to be a baseball guy, but fans of any sport will readily recognize two points: One, the pleasure that comes from talking about the game with someone who really knows their stuff; two, the agony of being trapped with a blowhard who doesn't know the infield fly rule from the designated hitter...

The Ultimate Youth Minister

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 08:02 AM PDT

This killed me. Absolutely killed me. Unfortunately, it isn't too far off. Tip o' the hat to Mark.

Archbishop Gomez gives moving farewell to priest killed in car accident

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 07:13 AM PDT

Los Angeles, Calif., Jul 23, 2010 / 09:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles has written a letter bidding farewell to Fr. Ramon Salas Cacho, an exemplary priest who tragically died in a car accident on July 9. In his letter, the archbishop expressed his sympathy and hope in God...

Convent will NOT be sold to Muslim group

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

This news broke Thursday afternoon: The board of trustees of a Staten Island Catholic Church have rejected the controversial sale of a church building to a Muslim group looking to open a mosque. The collapse of the deal - which would have transferred the vacant convent of St. Margaret Mary Church to the Muslim American Society for $750...

Why a priest should wear the collar

Posted: 23 Jul 2010 05:12 AM PDT

How often do you see priests without collars? (Can you even tell?) Why should they wear them? I stumbled on this compelling explanation. (Full disclosure: It was written by two priests. I know one of them, Fr. Gerald Murray, who's been on a guest on "Currents" a time or two). Take a look...

Echoing Love in Eternity

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 02:41 PM PDT

This morning I dreamed my dog was being sick in my bedroom -she sleeps by my bed-turns out, my husband had said, "she's throwing up, again" it and the words invaded my dreams before they entered my consciousness. I awoke to find him taking the first turn at what became a bad morning/afternoon of cleaning up after Alle...

Ramona's ‘Terrifical' View of the World

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 01:00 PM PDT

By Steven D. Greydanus, Register Movie Critic | Generations of children who have never been to Portland, Ore., have a lively idea of the neighborhood of Klickitat Street. They might not recognize it if they actually went there...

Because the Modern Phase has Arrived

Posted: 25 Jul 2010 06:40 AM PDT

Looks like we made it all the way to the end of The Great Heresies. We started it around the first of June with the Introduction, and then followed along as Belloc made his way through the biggies. First, the plan and then the following in succession: Arianism; Islam; Albegensianism; and Protestantism. And this weeks selection? The final chapter...

Ancient Witnesses to The Catholic Faith: The Didache

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 08:53 PM PDT

The Didache is one of the earliest written documents of the Church other than Scripture itself. It was written sometime between 90 and 110 AD. It may not have had a single author but may have been compiled from the Apostolic Teaching as a kind of early catechism and a summary of the essential moral...

QUAERITUR: Harry Potter

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 03:51 PM PDT

From a reader: Recently very good friends of mine told me that is is probably a sin to have read the Harry Potter books - even as a child with no intent of getting involved in "magic" or anything of that sort. They have heard from a priest that the names used in the book are the names of real demons and that reading it somehow attaches these demons to you.

Practical advice from a former atheist on how to evangelize atheists

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 08:51 AM PDT

N.B.: Jennifer 's conversion story — from a born-&-raised atheist to a convinced Catholic — will appear in the next issue of Envoy Magazine (vol. 9.4). Her website is conversiondiary.com...

The Catholic Mass in 155 A.D

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 12:11 PM PDT

Here is a letter from St. Justin Martyr in 155 A.D. describing the weekly Christian liturgy of the Early Church. Anyone familiar with the modern Catholic Mass--and therefore the Eucharist--will immediately recognize its roots in these words: (Hat tip to Matt Warner at Fallible Blogma )

Sperm Donor Kids are Struggling

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 10:00 PM PDT

It's sad but not surprising—the children of sperm donors are having problems. The Commission on Parenthood's Future has released a new study titled "My Daddy's Name Is Donor," in which 485 adult offspring of sperm donors were surveyed. Compared with both adopted children and children raised by their biological parents...

Ex-Lesbian Shares Moving Story of Conversion

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 04:00 AM PDT

By Danielle Bean | In this short video from the Christian Broadcasting Network, we hear the moving life story of former lesbian Janet Boynes. Boynes, a victim of a dysfunctional family life and sexual abuse as a child, thought she had found love and meaning in a lesbian lifestyle. Ultimately, though, her life left her wanting.

USCCB issues guidelines for use of social media

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT

When Preachers Fall From Grace

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 09:45 AM PDT

A recent headline in a Catholic website caught my attention: "Trust evaporating - Poll finds clergy trustworthiness slips precipitously." The poll surveyed attitudes about the clergy in Canada. According to the survey, 61 percent of Canadians trust church representatives, far below the 97 percent who trust firefighters and the 94 percent who tr.

"Toy Story 3" also wins at the Vatican

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 12:23 PM PDT

July 22, 2010. The Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has called the third installation of Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story" a "masterpiece" for its creative animation techniques and quality.

The Dr. Ken Saga: Illinois Responds

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 09:15 AM PDT

It's been a few days since I've posted an update on the Dr. Ken saga, but today there is legitimate reason to do so. The University of Illinois has responded, as CNSNews reports: Threats of legal action persist after the University of Illinois responded to demands by the Alliance Defense Fund to fully reinstate a professor relieved of duty for teaching Catholic doct.

What's in your closet? How about just six pieces?

Posted: 22 Jul 2010 04:00 AM PDT

Try living with just six pieces of clothing for a month and see what happens. Truth be told: this just might be the wardrobe for the '10s -- the out-of-work, out-of-money, foreclosed-and-desperate era of the chronically unemployed who find their lives radically simplified (albeit, against their will.