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The Deacon's Bench

More details are emerging on the Apostolic Constitution — and what it may mean for the celibate priesthood (not much, frankly): Former Anglicans entering the Catholic Church can preserve their liturgical traditions, married priests in some circumstances and even a shade of their consultative decision-making processes, according to Pope Benedict XVI’s document on new structures…

The long-awaited Apostolic Constitution, offering a new way for large numbers of Anglicans to cross the Tiber, has finally been published. Read it all right here.

“Catholicism is not about popularity, and it’s not about being loved by the media, and it’s not about refusing to promote strong beliefs. Being Catholic means something; it has consequences in how one views the slaughter of abortion, and the injury done to the poor by the collapse of the institution of marriage, and the…

The American deacon who was healed through the intercession of John Henry Newman is now on Newman’s home turf: Deacon Jack Sullivan, whose miraculous healing in 2001 is the basis for Newman’s Beatification next year, has arrived in England on a short visit. Later this week he will visit the Birmingham Oratory (UK), in a…

The recent overture to the Anglicans has gotten more people to look at the question of a married priesthood. And that’s sent some reporters scurrying to talk to priests who left ministry to marry: One of the hardest things Ed Donaghy has ever done was leave his ministry as a Catholic priest. For months, he…

A priest from Boston found himself serving in Texas — and serving, as well, the victims of last week’s tragedy at Fort Hood. From the Boston Globe: The Rev. Edward McCabe didn’t want to go to Fort Hood when the assignment came for the Army Reserves captain to become senior Catholic chaplain at the sprawling…

Last month, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan took on the New York Times in his blog — and had some particularly sharp words for columnist Maureen Dowd.  Now, the paper’s Public Editor, Clark Hoyt, has decided to look into Dolan’s charges of anti-Catholicism. A snip: Dolan seemed particularly offended by Dowd’s column, in which she…

Noted British author G. P. Taylor is about to swim the Tiber: Vicar-turned-author Rev G P Taylor says he will desert the “sinking ship” Church of England, which he said was the “spiritual arm of New Labour”, for Roman Catholicism. The Rev Taylor, whose children’s book Shadowmancer became an international best-seller, said he was turning…

Mourners at a memorial service at Fort Hood last night.  Photo by Associated Press

We hear this gospel story, about the widow’s mite, and tend to think of it as a lesson in giving, and great sacrifice. And that is true.  It’s a lesson we need to hear, especially in these hard times. But looking over the readings for today, from the book of Kings and Mark’s gospel, I…
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