Mourning, prayer, and resolve to rebuild after tornadoes (CNS) Mourning, prayer and a resolve to rebuild shattered lives, homes and businesses in Mayfield followed one of the most powerful twisters in U.S. history that leveled the city of 10,000 in western Kentucky overnight Dec. 10. The Bluegrass State was the worst hit as numerous devastating tornadoes traveled across it and its neighboring states of Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, leveling entire communities…
After criticism, Vatican apologizes for “causing pain” to LGBTQ community (Reuters) A Vatican department has apologized for “causing pain to the entire LGBTQ community” by removing from its website a link to resource material from a Catholic gay rights advocacy group. The website of the Synod of Bishops, which is organizing a two-year global consultative process ahead of a major meeting in Rome in 2023, issued the apology and restored the link over the weekend after criticism on social media…
Canada offers C$40 billion in compensation to indigenous children, families (Vatican News) Canada’s Indigenous Services Minister announced on Monday that the government is provisioning C$40 billion (the equivalent of US$31.2 billion) to provide compensation and to commit the funds necessary to implement long-term reform so that future generations of First Nations children will never face the systemic tragedies of their ancestors. Officials confirmed the government will start paying out once a protracted lawsuit is settled…
Vatican releases text for installation of catechists (CNS) Catholic men and women formally installed in the new ministry of catechists are not simply religious education teachers but are engaged in “the proclamation and transmission of the faith, carrying out this role in collaboration with the ordained ministers and under their guidance,” said a letter accompanying the Latin text of the Rite of Institution of Catechists. Archbishop Arthur Roche, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, released the Latin text and a letter Dec. 13, seven months after Pope Francis instituted the “ministry of catechist” as a formal office and vocation in the church…
Abuse crisis has humbled the Catholic Church (The Wall Street Journal)“The leadership of the church has come to recognize that the church has to take ownership and responsibility for what happened,” said Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption University and former chairman of the National Review Board, which advises U.S. bishops on the prevention of abuse. There is now “a recognition that the church has to not only acknowledge, but also has to atone,” he said…
