Bishop calls for recognition of anointing as “emergency service” (CNA) A Catholic bishop called on Tuesday for greater recognition of the last rites as an “emergency service” in the wake of the killing of British lawmaker Sir David Amess. Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury, western England, made the appeal on Oct. 19 after police reportedly turned away a priest who sought to administer the last rites to the Catholic Member of Parliament at the scene of the attack in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. “Every Catholic Christian hopes to receive the Sacraments and be accompanied by the prayer of the Church in the final crisis of our lives,” Davies said…

Cardinal Burke’s recovery continues (CNS) Cardinal Raymond L. Burke said his recovery from COVID-19 is continuing with the help of physical therapy and he is now able to celebrate daily Mass. In an Oct. 15 letter posted on his Facebook page, the 73-year-old cardinal expressed “heartfelt gratitude to all those who have prayed for my recovery” and said “words cannot adequately express” the joy he felt in being able to celebrate Mass again…

Benedict offers condolences on death of priest, adds “I hope I can join them soon” (CNA) Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has said that he looks forward to joining his friends in heaven in a condolence message following the death of a Cistercian priest. In a letter dated Oct. 2 and released by Wilhering Abbey in Austria, the 94-year-old retired pope said that the death of Fr. Gerhard Winkler touched him profoundly, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner…

Pope: Christian freedom is expressed in serving others (CNA) Recalling that, through Christ, “we have passed from slavery of fear and sin to the freedom of God’s children,” Pope Francis continued his catechesis on St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians by offering a deeper understanding of what is at the heart of Christian liberty. Freedom, he said, is very different from license; it is not found in giving in to our own selfish desires, but instead leads us to serve others. “True freedom,” the Pope said, “is fully expressed in love…”

The Catholics who don’t receive communion (CNS) Though the current headlines are about the possibility of politicians being denied Communion, the church has a long history of the faithful being advised not to present themselves to receive the sacrament…