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The Deacon's Bench

[I’m not preaching this Sunday.  We’re showing a stewardship video at all the masses.  But, since it’s World Priest Day, I thought I’d re-post for reflection my homily for this occasion last year.] It happens more often than you may think. Someone will ask me after mass, “Deacon Greg, if priests could be married, wouldn’t…

A remarkable Catholic ministry conference in Texas has gotten some attention not just for its focus, but for its size. From The Dallas Morning News: In its 2,000-year history, the Roman Catholic Church rarely has been accused of failing to think big – and certainly not this weekend. The church brought a flock of thousands…

Some things run in the family — like religious vocations:  For Deacon Mark Gallagher, the ordination of his son, Charles, as a transitional deacon Oct. 8 in Rome was almost like father, like son. Mark Gallagher has been a permanent deacon since 1996, while Charles is on track to be ordained a priest for the…

Anyone who is still wondering why the Vatican is investigating women religious in the United States might want to ponder the implications of this story:  A Dominican nun has been seen frequenting an abortion facility in Illinois recently – but not, as one might expect, to pray for an end to abortion or to counsel…

That’s what noted author and theologian Dr. Pia De Solenni had to say yesterday, discussing the role of women in the Church on my show “Currents.”   She has a lot more to say about women’s ordination and the importance of gender in the priesthood — and it’s not something a lot of progressive Catholics want…

It appears the Vatican has a new kingmaker — or, at least, someone whose voice and views will be having a powerful impact on the American Church.   From the Catholic News Service:  Pope Benedict XVI’s naming of U.S. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke to the Congregation for Bishops was a small but significant appointment that…

This piece of news strikes me as sane and sensible — and long overdue:  Religious leaders are urging their colleagues and politicians to keep comparisons to Nazism and the Holocaust out out of American public policy debates. The Interfaith Alliance responded to a recent onslaught of references to Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust, particularly as…

From today’s Liturgy of the Hours, and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:  “Guard against foul talk; let your words be for the improvement of others, as occasion offers, and do good to your listeners, otherwise you will only be grieving the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal for you to…

Is the Catholic media on its last legs?  A priest-editor in Asia has a few intriguing thoughts on the subject:  For another few decades (two to four?), Catholic journalism will rely to some decreasing extent upon the printing press to turn out local-language news of the Church at home and around the world. But, even…

Wander over to The Catholic Key blog and you’ll find some remarkable news that connects the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with this week’s trailblazing move by the Vatican regarding the Anglican communion:  I am the Anglican Catholic Bishop of Canada in the TAC. I was present at the Synod of TAC Bishops in…
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