Bishops: Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith (CNS) If the House of Representatives passes the Equality Act, its mandates will “discriminate against people of faith” by adversely affecting charities and their beneficiaries, conscience rights, women’s sports, “and sex-specific facilities,” said the chairmen of five U.S. bishops’ committees…
Seattle archbishop emphasizes hope after suicide at Catholic center (CNA) In the wake of a suicide at a Catholic social services headquarters in Seattle, Archbishop Paul Etienne said that Christians should remember the “desperation and hopelessness” of those in distress, but also God’s “profound love.” In a Feb. 23 letter to the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Etienne reported that on Tuesday afternoon a “distraught individual” entered the headquarters of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services at the Randolph Carter Family and Learning Center in Seattle. “He threatened the life of a staff member before taking his own life,” the archbishop said. “Mercifully, no one else was harmed and all of the staff were able to safely leave the building…”
Iraqi priest: Pope’s upcoming visit is an act of “bravery” and “madness” (Crux) Father Naim Shoshandy welcomes Pope Francis’s “bravery” in deciding to visit the “martyred nation” of Iraq. “The country is burning, but he is still going,” the priest told Crux over the phone. “It’s an act of bravery, for him to go to Iraq, the land of Abraham, as an apostle.” An act of bravery, Shoshandy said, without denying it could also be considered an act of “madness…”
Should the Catholic Church have an African-American rite? (America) After growing up Baptist, Nate Tinner-Williams became a Roman Catholic in December 2019. Now, after a move to New Orleans, he is planning to enter into formation with the Josephites, an order of brothers and priests who have ministered specifically to the African-American community since 1893. In the meantime, he has devoted himself to developing Black Catholic Messenger, an online publication he co-founded in October 2020. I spoke with Mr. Tinner Williams about his faith, the Black Catholic Church in the United States and the hope of reviving a proposal for a uniquely African-American way of celebrating the Mass, in light of Pope Francis’ recent calls to inculturate the liturgy…
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