Archbishop performs exorcism at site where Serra statue was toppled (AP) The archbishop of San Francisco performed a short exorcism Saturday outside a Catholic church where protesters had earlier toppled a statue of Father Junipero Serra, saying the ceremony was intended to drive out evil and defend the image of Serra…
Pope to participate in international prayer for peace (Vatican News) On Tuesday, 20 October, Pope Francis will participate in an international Prayer for Peace initiative entitled “No One Is Saved Alone – Peace and Fraternity”. Promoted by the Rome-based Community of Saint Egidio, the Prayer meeting is an ecumenical event and will see the participation of representatives of many Christian denominations in the Basilica of Saint Mary in Aracoeli on Rome’s Capitoline Hill… According to a statement released by the Vatican Press Office, the Prayer meeting will be followed by an interreligious ceremony in Michelangelo’s Square on the Capitoline Hill in the presence of representatives of the world’s great religions and other world leaders…
Brooklyn bishop: religion is not the problem (CNA) Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn warned on Friday that New York’s most recent coronavirus measures were “not reasonable.” Speaking one day after his diocese argued in court against new state restrictions on religious assembly, the bishop said religion was being treated as a second class part of society…
Meet two permanent deacons on journey toward priesthood (St. Louis Review) Long ago, Gene Schaeffer and Allen Boedeker knew that God was calling them to ordained ministry. They answered by becoming permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Between the two of them, they have served more than three-and-a-half decades as deacons, in a ministry of liturgy, Word and charity. But after going through personal life changes in recent years, both have discerned that perhaps God is calling them to service through the priesthood. Deacon Boedeker, 64, and Deacon Schaeffer, 55, have headed back to the classroom, this time as seminarians at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts…
Vatican data: clergy shortage growing (RNS) The total number of priests in the world decreased to 414,065 in 2018, with Europe registering a drop of 2,675 priests compared to 2017. The report also reveals a slight decrease in the number of Catholic faithful in America, Europe and Oceania. Meanwhile, Africa and Asia continue to show signs of growth, according to the data. “We mustn’t be afraid! Mission goes on thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit,” said Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, the secretary of the evangelizing congregation, during a press conference at the Vatican on Friday…
Most U.S. clergy avoid hellfire threats over abortion (AP) James Altman is a Roman Catholic priest in Wisconsin, little known outside his parish until a few weeks ago. Robert Jeffress is the high-profile pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas. They have a message in common for members of their faiths: Voting for Democrats who support abortion rights is an evil potentially deserving of eternal damnation. Their fierce, openly partisan rhetoric is attention-grabbing, but it remains the exception in America’s diverse religious landscape, even in this divisive election year. Most members of the clergy, including foes of abortion, steer clear of overt endorsements or denunciations of political candidates. Numerous denominations try to frame their stance on abortion in ways that respect multiple viewpoints…
