Catholic priests increasingly use defamation lawsuits to fight false abuse allegations (USA TODAY) As clergy abuse lawsuits proliferate across the U.S., a growing number of priests who say they were falsely accused are pushing back — by suing their accusers, investigators and even church officials…
15 new deacons for Charleston (The Catholic Miscellany) Fifteen men started a new life of ministry and service to the Church as they were ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone on Feb. 6. The liturgy took place before a socially-distanced crowd of family, fellow deacons and well-wishers at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The ordinations offer continued evidence of the strong permanent diaconate program in the diocese. This was the third large class in a row, following 35 men who were ordained in 2016 and another 16 in 2019. There are currently 37 other candidates in formation and 189 in the process of applying, according to Deacon André Guillet, diocesan director for the Diaconate Office…
Nuns join protest against Burma’s military coup (CNA) Catholic nuns in Burma have joined widespread protests against the recent military coup, Asian Catholic websites have reported. According to UCA News, Catholic nuns from a variety of communities in Burma have marched the streets, praying for the protestors and offering them food. Amid protests in the city of Myitkyina, the capital of the state of Kachin, nuns hung signs saying “No to dictatorship” and “Listen to the voices of people” outside of their convent…
Archdiocese in Philippines allows family members to distribute ashes (CNS) An archdiocese in the Philippines will allow churchgoers to distribute ashes among family members at home to mark the beginning of Lent Feb. 17. Ucanews.com reported the Cebu Archdiocese in the central Philippines released a prayer guide Feb. 10 for the celebration of Ash Wednesday at home for those unable to go to church due to COVID-19 restrictions. Children and elderly people are disqualified by government protocols to attend large gatherings such as those in churches…
Fatima statue to visit three former Soviet republics for first time (CNA) In September and October the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima will for the first time visit Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The apostolic nuncio in Armenia and Georgia, Archbishop José Bettencourt, said in a statement to the Ecclesia Agency that “Catholics from the Caucasus rejoice at the news of the visit of the Image of Our Lady of Fatima to the region.”
