Another Catholic newspaper stops publication (The Buffalo News) The Western New York Catholic newspaper, which chronicles the Diocese of Buffalo, area parishes and schools, as well as the larger Catholic world, has published its final print edition. After 148 years in print, the newspaper is becoming a digital-only product. “Yes, it’s not the same. No ink on the fingers, but the Gospel tells us to go out and spread the good news to the people where they are. As people change, we must change with them in order to reach them,” Patrick McPartland, managing editor, wrote in a column in the September edition, the final printed copies, which are in parishes now. “So where are people getting their news? They are getting it online…”
Cardinal: ‘Watch your language’ in homilies (CNA) The leader of the Diocese of Hong Kong has instructed priests to avoid politics in homilies and admonishing them for “offensive” and “provocative” preaching. The warning comes amid a crackdown on free expression in Hong Kong, after the implementation of the new National Security Law in July. A letter, obtained by CNA, was sent from Cardinal John Tong Hon, the former Bishop of Hong Kong and current administrator of the diocese on Friday. “The homily is not meant to convey the preacher’s personal views (such as his own own view on a social or political issue) but God’s message,” the cardinal wrote…
Pro-life Democrat removed from Tennessee ballot to run as independent (CNA) A pro-life Tennessee state representative is running as an independent after was ousted from the Democratic Party for his views on life and marriage. He told CNA that he is not giving up what he sees as a ministry…
Pope urges respect for Paris climate accord (Reuters) Pope Francis on Tuesday urged nations to fight global warming according to the 2015 Paris climate accord, weighing in on issue that figures in the U.S. presidential race. Modern society had pushed the planet beyond its limits and the time to fix a climate emergency was running out, he said…
Christian icons before the blue-eyed Jesus (Religion Unplugged) “When you talk about ancient icons, you are basically talking about images of Jesus with long hair, a beard and some kind of Roman toga. That’s just about all you can say,” said Jonathan Pageau of Quebec, an Eastern Orthodox artist and commentator on sacred symbols. In the early church, he added, believers “didn’t ask other questions – about race and culture – because those were not the important questions in those days. … Once you start politicizing icons there’s just no way out of those arguments. You get into politics and dividing people and then you’re lost…”
