Andrew Cuomo’s legacy (National Catholic Register) Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, announced on Tuesday he will resign his office effective Aug. 24, amid allegations of repeated sexual harassment. He leaves under a cloud of multiple scandals, with a legacy of clashing with the state’s bishops on issues including abortion, the redefinition of marriage and pandemic restrictions on churches…
Pope mourns murdered French priest (Vatican News) As he greeted the French-speaking faithful at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis took the opportunity to offer his condolences for the death of a French priest. “I learned of the murder of Father Olivier Maire with great sorrow,” he said. “I extend my condolences to the religious community of the Monfortians in Saint-laurent-sur-Sèvre, Vendée, to his family and to all Catholics in France…”
Catholic university presidents with COVID urge vaccination (CNS) Two fully vaccinated Jesuit university presidents who recently tested positive for COVID-19 have spoken out about their experience as an urgent reminder of the need to get vaccinated. “This experience underscores that COVID-19 is still spreading in our communities,” said Michael Lovell, president of Marquette University in Milwaukee, on Twitter in late July after experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, getting a COVID-19 test and receiving a positive test result…
Australian diocese to name school for Carlo Acutis (CNS) An Australian outback diocese has announced what is believed to be the world’s first high school to be named after a teenage computer programmer beatified by Pope Francis last year. Blessed Carlo Acutis College will have a liberal arts focus, and Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes hopes to build it in Moama, a fast-growing Riverina town in the southern part of his vast sprawling New South Wales diocese…
Simone Biles: “I’m very much pro-choice” (CNA) Olympic gymnast and Catholic Simone Biles sparked a stir on Monday, Aug. 10, when she announced on her Instagram stories that she is “very much pro-choice.” Biles, 24, asked her Instagram followers to submit their “unpopular opinions,” which she would then comment on. One of her fans made the submission “abortion is wrong.” The gymnast – who won bronze and silver medals in the recent Olympic competitions in Tokyo – replied, “I already know this is going to start the biggest argument & may even lose followers BUT I’m very much pro-choice.” “Your body, your choice,” said Biles…
The pilgrims who pray at the tomb of St. Monica (OSV) Other than taking people up the Scala Santa, the stairs Jesus climbed when he was condemned to death, nowhere else in Rome do I see a more emotional experience in pilgrims to Rome. As one who brings hundreds of people to Rome each year, it’s always an honor to be present in such a vulnerable moment. Over the past decade, I’ve been blessed to not only witness such strong devotions to St. Monica, but also to bring people back to give thanks for her intercession. Sometimes it takes years, but I have had people return to Rome after praying for a miracle and having their prayers answered…
Like what you see? Join the growing family of patrons supporting The Bench!
