Pope advances sainthood causes, including priest murdered at Dachau (CNS) Pope Francis signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Titus Brandsma, clearing the way for the canonization of the 20th-century martyr murdered at the Dachau concentration camp. The Dutch Carmelite friar was sent to Dachau for treason — after defending Jews and press freedom — and was killed with a lethal injection…

Pope cancels public prayer in Rome for December 8 (CNA) For the second year in a row, Pope Francis has canceled the Roman tradition of a public gathering at the Spanish Steps on Dec. 8 to venerate a statue of the Immaculate Conception due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Holy See press office announced on Nov. 27 that instead of the usual outdoor public ceremony, the pope will instead perform a private act of devotion to Our Lady to avoid the formation of a crowd and the risk of spreading the coronavirus…

New bishop to be installed today in Brooklyn (WABC) Bishop Robert Brennan is set to be installed as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre will officiate the mass at the co-cathedral of Saint Joseph in Prospect Heights…

“George Floyd” pieta at Catholic University stolen (RNS) A painting of Jesus and his mother, Mary, in which Jesus is seen by many to be painted in the likeness of George Floyd in response to his agonizing death, was stolen from Catholic University of America Columbus Law School last week after a spate of conservative media attention and death threats directed at the artist…

A public flagpole, a Christian flag, and the First Amendment (The New York Times) There are three flagpoles in front of Boston’s City Hall. One flies the American flag, and the second that of Massachusetts. What appears on the third is at issue in a case the Supreme Court will hear in January…

Vatican launches #IamChurch campaign (Vatican News) The Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life announced the launch on Monday of a campaign dedicated to persons living with disabilities. Tagged #IamChurch, the campaign, which begins on 6 December, will consist of five videos containing the testimonies of Christians living with disabilities from different parts of the world who recount their experience of faith and affirm, “I am Church!”…