The Catholic Spelunker for January 2020
Can you believe it is already 2020? In 2010, I had a 7-month-old. Now I have a 10-year-old. By 2030, he will probably be in college. Yikes. Every New Year is a chance for a new beginning – and people like new beginnings. But this new beginning feels special because …
Pope Francis: It is beautiful when babies cry at Mass
By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 12, 2020 / 04:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at Mass. “Let the children cry,” the pope said. “It is a beautiful homily when a child cries in …
Knights of Columbus Bring Relief After Puerto Rico Earthquakes
Parishes collapsed and Knights lost homes after devastating series of earthquakes By Andrew Fowler 1/10/2020 Knights of Columbus General Agent José Lebron-Sanabria, who led the Knights’ recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico in September 2017, is coordinating assistance to those in need of the latest natural disaster. He …
Vatican: Pope Francis not in favor of optional priestly celibacy
By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 13, 2020 / 07:01 am (CNA).- A Vatican spokesman said Monday that Pope Francis’ position on priestly celibacy is “known,” quoting the pontiff’s remarks in a January 2019 press conference, in which he said he does not agree with making priestly celibacy “optional” in …
Benedict XVI, Cardinal Sarah pen book on priesthood, celibacy, crisis
Vatican City, Jan 12, 2020 / 04:44 pm (CNA).- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, have co-authored a book on the crisis in the Church and on priestly ministry. “From the Depths of Our Hearts” will be published in English by …
Former cardinal moves from Kansas friary to new location
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Theodore McCarrick, the former cardinal who was laicized by the Vatican in 2019 after numerous claims of abuse by him were substantiated, moved Jan. 3 from the Capuchin Franciscan friary in Kansas where he had been living since late 2018. McCarrick …
Bishops narrowly approve USCCB rate hike for 2021
Washington D.C., Jan 10, 2020 / 07:43 am (CNA).- The bishops of the United States have narrowly approved an increase on the amount dioceses must contribute to the national bishops’ conference. The measure initially failed to pass when put to a vote during their November 2019 meeting and additional votes …
Seasoned musician inspires people to sing, raise voices ‘in honor of God’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Rick Cothran, courtesy of Tonya Taylor-Dorsey By Gina Christian PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — With the start of the new year, a seasoned Philadelphia musician is taking on a new challenge as director of the Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir. Tonya Taylor-Dorsey was appointed to the post by the Philadelphia …
Survivors’ group, archbishop back journalist sued by Sodalitium members
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paola Ugaz By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A network of clergy abuse survivors has joined calls for an end to lawsuits against a journalist who investigated alleged sexual abuse and financial irregularities within a controversial Catholic group. In an open letter released Jan. 9, the …
Love is never indifferent to other’s suffering, pope says
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Most Christians would agree it is wrong to hate someone, but it is also wrong to be indifferent, which is a camouflaged form of hatred, Pope Francis said. Real love "must lead you to do good, to get your hands dirty with works …