Cardinal in Vatican trial: My conscience is “tranquil” (AP) A fraud and embezzlement trial over alleged mismanagement of the Holy See’s investments began Tuesday in Vatican City, with a once-powerful cardinal among the 10 defendants saying he remains “obedient” to Pope Francis, who stripped his privileges to bring him before the tribunal. ”He wanted me to be on trial, and I’m coming to the trial. I’m serene. I feel tranquil in my conscience,″ Cardinal Angelo Becciu, one of two defendants who attended the largely procedural, seven-hour session, told reporters afterward…
Cardinal Gregory reportedly withdraws permission for Latin Mass at shrine (CNA) Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington has reportedly withdrawn permission for a solemn pontifical Mass that was to be offered August 14 in D.C. A pontifical Mass is celebrated by a bishop in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The Mass, scheduled for the vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption, was to be offered by at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Paulus Institute, a group dedicated to promoting the sacred liturgy, organized the event, which was to be broadcast by EWTN. On its Facebook page on July 27, the institute announced that permission for the Mass was rescinded by the Archbishop of Washington…
Families rally to save Catholic school slated to close (6ABC) A big ribbon cutting Tuesday celebrated the fact that they saved their school. It was a grand event with bagpipes and families crying happy tears. The halls were also filled with current students, and prospective new ones who were there for an open house. They call themselves the “Iron Mikes,” and they sure did show there’s power in numbers and faith…
Slovakia launches prayer marathon ahead of papal visit (Vatican News) With just forty days to go until the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis in Slovakia, the Pontifical Missionary Works of Slovakia has launched an initiative to prepare for his arrival on the 12 September. A prayer “marathon” will take place from 7 August to 15 September and will require the faithful to recite the Rosary daily in church, at home or within their own community…
Indian priest arrested over allegations of hate speech (UCANews) A trial court in Tamil Nadu state has remanded a Catholic priest in judicial custody for 15 days for alleged hate speech among other charges after Hindu groups threatened to launch protests demanding his arrest. Father George Ponnaiah, a vicar of Kuzhithurai Diocese in the southern Indian state, was arrested on July 24 morning as he was heading for an undisclosed destination, apparently after police registered a criminal offense against him at Arumanai police station for alleged hate speech on July 18…
The Pillar’s shaky journalistic foundation (NCR) Missing in the story by The Pillar and in a subsequent response to questions about the ethics of the piece is the name of the vendor that provided the data, details about who paid to purchase the data and how it was obtained by the outlet, as well as any information on how the investigation was conducted to determine the signals were transmitted from Burrill’s mobile phone. The story also lacked any confirmation of Burill’s conduct beyond the location data…
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