Families, schools file lawsuit on Michigan’s COVID restrictions (WDIV) Catholic families and schools in the Diocese of Lansing have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the order by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to keep high schools closed for an additional 12 days…
Catholic bishops to Trump: end executions for Advent (CNA) Leading U.S. bishops are imploring the Trump administration to stop scheduled federal executions during the season of Advent. “This Advent, the Lord comes to love us even though we don’t deserve it. Let us repent and embrace his gift,” stated Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chair of the U.S. bishops’ domestic justice committee, and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, chair of the bishops’ pro-life committee, on Monday. “We call on President Trump and Attorney General Barr, in recognition of God’s unmerited gift of self-giving love: stop these executions,” the two archbishops said…
What about confession by phone? (CNS) Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people’s ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary. In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, the cardinal was asked whether a phone or other electronic means of communication could be used for confession. “We can confirm the probable invalidity of the absolution imparted through such means,” he said…
In the footsteps of the English martyrs (Vatican News) In spite of unprecedented restrictions, the Venerable English College remembered the 44 English martyrs in a celebration on Tuesday, 1 December, with the traditional singing of the Te Deum sung in the exact same spot as it was by their forebears whenever one of their brothers was martyred…
An ‘Extraordinary Life’ during Advent (Catholic Review) On the Dec. 6 episode of Catholic Baltimore, Christopher Gunty talks with author and blogger Deacon Greg Kandra about his new book, “The Busy Person’s Guide to an Extraordinary Life.” Deacon Kandra, author of The Deacon’s Bench blog, shares how the events of 9/11 inspired him to look at his life in a different way, eventually becoming a deacon…
