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The Deacon's Bench

Here’s something unusual, and surprising: a profile of an order of nuns in the United States that is one of the few set up specifically for African-Americans: When Sister Georginah Githinji arrived in the U.S. from Kenya she thought of her trip as a miracle. Githinji, a Kenyan Catholic nun, came to the States in…

One of the Church’s most famous recent converts spoke recently about what led to his conversion — and, not surprisingly, it had a lot to do with his wife: Tony Blair said his conversion to Catholicism had been driven by his wife, Cherie, adding that it “felt right” and “is now where my heart is”.…

I’m starting a new category here at The Bench: “Overheard in the rectory.” Because some of this stuff is just, well, incredible. My first installment, from a phone conversation this afternoon. Caller: “Hello, Deacon. I’m having my baby baptized at your church. And I know that one of the godparents has to be Catholic, right?”…

Years ago, Rose Kennedy said that she used to dream that her youngest son would grow up to be a priest. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way. Not by a long shot. Over the past few days, we’ve heard a lot about the life of her youngest child, Ted Kennedy – the good,…

Canon lawyer Ed Peters shares his views on the Kennedy funeral: The homily, which started well enough but steadily deteriorated, fell into various holes like (I’m quoting from memory): “the fruits of [Kennedy’s] work in politics well-prepared him for God’s kingdom” (Lord, I hope that’s not what he really meant); and “Kennedy tied his faith…

What? No deacons?

A reader has taken issue with a comment that I’ve included on my WELCOME sidebar, in which I suggest we should approach this blog with an attitude of “WWJB” or “What would Jesus blog?” The writer notes: I’m sorry deacon, I think you are very mistaken and walking a dangerous path. He didn’t tell us…

That sound you hear is my jaw hitting the desk as I see the cover below and read the accompanying blog entry: The folks at Denver Magazine call their September edition “The Men’s Issue,” and no wonder. The two women on the cover are literally busting out of their flirtatious attire, with the girliest of…

Here’s a little bombshell that may have larger implications. One of America’s most outspoken and controversial bishops is stepping down: Bishop Joseph F. Martino will resign as head of the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., as early as next week, according to sources within the diocese, it was reported today by several outlets in the Scranton…

Triple D — Deacon Dr. William Ditewig — posted a fascinating personal remembrance of Ted Kennedy on his Facebook page last night. He told me he wrote it for his family. But with his permission, I post it below: I was serving on the senior staff of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops when…
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