Podcasts about Catholic News Service

IMAGE CREDIT Claude Truong-Ngoc / Wikimedia Commons - cc-by-sa-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons LINKS Vatican bio of Cardinal Kurt KOCH: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_koch_k.html         Kurt KOCH on FIU's Cardinals Database (by Salvador Miranda): https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios2010.htm#Koch      Cardinal Kurt KOCH on Gcatholic.org: https://gcatholic.org/p/4021                         Cardinal Kurt KOCH on Catholic-Hierarchy.org: https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bkoch.html    Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity on Gcatholic.org: https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/romancuria/d16.htm  Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity on Catholic-Hierarchy.org: https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dxpcu.html Basel Cathedral website discussing the canons: https://www.bistum-basel.ch/news/drei-neue-domherren-eingesetzt La Repubblica 1995 article on Bishop Vogel's resignation and son: https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1995/06/03/il-vescovo-si-dimette-aspetto-un.html  Nostra Aetate: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html 2012 Catholic News Service overview of Cardinal Koch's comments on conservative Catholics and Judaism (archived via Library of Congress Web Archives): https://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20121205205921/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1202023.htm    Thank you for listening, and thank my family and friends for putting up with the time investment and for helping me out as needed. As always, feel free to email the show at Popeularhistory@gmail.com  If you would like to financially support Popeular history, go to www.patreon.com/Popeular. If you don't have any money to spare but still want to give back, pray and tell others– prayers and listeners are worth more than gold!   TRANSCRIPT Welcome to Popeular History, a library of Catholic knowledge and insights.   Check out the show notes for sources, further reading, and a transcript.   Today we're discussing another current Cardinal of the Catholic Church, one of the 120 or so people who will choose the next Pope when the time comes.   Kurt KOCH was born on March 15, 1950, Emmenbrücke a town just north of the middle of Switzerland, in the Canton of Lucerne.   Cardinal Koch is the second Swiss-born Cardinal we've met after Cardinal Tscherrig, the Nuncio's Nuncio we met last summer. But at the time we had dozens of countries involved, because, well, nuncio's nuncio, and didn't get a chance to just talk Switzerland.   These days Switzerland is famous for their neutrality, staying out of pretty much every conflict they can avoid. Perhaps that's in part due to the fact that it used to be a battleground, especially in the rolling conflicts between the Popes in Italy and the Holy Roman Emperors in Germany. When the Reformation came, Switzerland was again divided in loyalty between largely Catholic southern Europe and largely Protestant northern Europe. One of the fruits of conflict, for better or for worse, is military skill, which is how the Swiss Guard that still protects the Vatican today came about. Fortunately, like I mentioned, the Swiss came to embrace neutrality, including in religion, with laws allowing for freedom of conscience–first just among Christian denominations and then more broadly. Keep this context  of conflict to resolution in the back of your mind as we go.    Kurt Koch studied Theology at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland, then went to Munich Germany to study more theology, getting a diploma in theology in 1975. He served as a research assistant at the University of Lucerne from ‘76 to ‘81, presumably while studying even More theology, and soon after he was ordained a priest for his home Diocese of Basel in 1982. This is actually the first time I've seen someone ordained apparently without any specific philosophy training, going pure theology isn't as normal as one might expect.   After a period of chaplaincy, his theology studies continued, and in 1987 he wound up with a doctorate in, you guessed it, theology. I expected he'd stop there, or perhaps get another doctorate, but apparently in Kurt's neck of the woods there's another step you can go beyond a simple doctorate, the Habilitation, which basically works out to full professorship. The most surprising thing about this to me is that this is the first time I'm realizing it, it's extremely possible- I would say likely- that he actually isn't our first Cardinal to achieve this level, I just didn't flag it before and my sources described it differently this time. Part of why I love doing this is it lets me learn something every day.   Anyways, after obtaining his habilitation, Father Koch became Professor of dogmatics, liturgy and ecumenical theology at the Theological Faculty of the University of Lucerne from 1989, a post he held until 1996. He was also simultaneously rector for a short time, though that was interrupted by a call. Normally this would be a tongue-in-cheek note about a white phone, but in this case the call was coming from the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Basel, because it was actually their job to elect the next Bishop of Basel and they wanted to choose Father Koch.   Of course, much like my normal white phone joke, this isn't necessarily *exactly* how it went down, since for all I know maybe Father Koch *was* one of the Canons of Basel Cathedral and no phone was needed for the news. But either way, my point is that unlike the typical process for most dioceses, where the relevant nuncio and the relevant Dicastery work with the Pope to figure out new bishops, Basel uses the old Cathedral Chapter model, where there's a local election among the members of the Chapter.   The Cathedral Chapter might have been a little sheepish, because they had actually just elected a new Bishop of Basel, who had found himself under a lot of psychological pressure–being a bishop isn't easy–and had wound up going to an old friend for comfort. A female friend, who wound up pregnant. He resigned, got laicized, and married her. Hopefully he's a better traditional father than he was a spiritual one.   Bishop Koch received his episcopal consecration directly and personally from Pope John Paul II in the Vatican, possibly because everyone was wanting to do things right after the last kerfuffle, though I don't have any source claiming that, just a guess.   The University Of Lucerne made him an honorary professor on his way out the door, a nice gesture, presumably a sort of “you're welcome to come back by any time” kind of arrangement.   Bishop Koch got involved in the Swiss Bishop's conference, serving as their Vice-President for nine years, and as their President for three. Together that represents pretty much his entire time as a bishop in Switzerland, because in 2010 Bishop Koch was called up to the Vatican to head the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, of which he had been a member since 2002. To fit the dignity of his new office, he was promoted to Archbishop and then Cardinal.    Speaking of archbishops, today I learned Switzerland has no archbishops, all six dioceses are immediately subject to the Holy See, meaning if there's something that would normally involve an Archbishop, it goes to the Vatican. But enough about Switzerland, we're in Rome now.   Pope Benedict had Cardinal Koch jump in headfirst, heading a delegation to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew–the leader of the Orthodox,  the largest Christian Church outside of Catholicism, and co-presiding over a meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church with his Orthodox counterpart. In December, Pope Benedict also added Koch to the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.   What a difference a year makes, Koch had started the year as a simple bishop, now he was pretty much everywhere.   Cardinal Koch's big Christian unity gig also extends outside Christianity, as the head of that dicastery is also automatically the President of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Sometimes the two overlap, like when he's talking with traditionalists who are to varying degrees reluctant to embrace Jews as their brothers. In those cases he points to Nostra Aetate, essentially the Catholic Church's foundational document on religious freedom, which explicitly decries antisemitism, and which Cardinal Koch has called “important for every Catholic”.   In addition to dozens of articles and papers, Cardinal Koch has written at least fifteen books.   Originally elevated as a Cardinal-Deacon, Cardinal Koch exercised his right to become a Cardinal-Priest after ten years of service as a Cardinal.   In addition to the roles we've already discussed, Cardinal Koch is currently a member of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints; the Dicastery for Bishops; and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.   A veteran of the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis, Kurt Cardinal KOCH is eligible to participate in future conclaves until he turns 80 in 2030.   Today's episode is part of Cardinal Numbers. Stay tuned to see if today's Cardinal gets selected for a deeper dive in the next round! Thank you for listening; God bless you all!

John Thavis is a Former Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service and an author and speaker specializing in Vatican and religious affairs. He is the author of the best-selling books, "The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church," and "The Vatican Prophecies: Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age." John talks with with diocesan chancellor and former editor of the central Minnesota catholic Joe Towalski about the papal transition. For more about John, visit his website: Johnthavis.com.

Pope Francis—the first Jesuit and Latin American pope—has died. As 1.4 billion Catholics begin mourning the loss of their pastor, and the world grieves one of its most prominent spiritual leaders, the Church remembers the pope who saw himself not only as the bishop of Rome, but as a parish priest to the whole world. Now, a momentous process begins in Rome: the funeral, the mourning rites, and the election of a new pope. In this special deep-dive episode of Inside the Vatican, host Colleen Dulle guides listeners through the rituals, rules, and hidden dynamics that unfold when a pope dies—from the certification of his death and the breaking of the papal ring to the solemn gathering of cardinals from around the world, and the quiet conversations that begin among them as they prepare to discern who will lead the church into its next chapter. These cardinals will soon enter the conclave—the oldest surviving method of leadership selection in the world. Held beneath Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the conclave is a spiritual event wrapped in secrecy and tradition. There, 135 cardinal electors, bound by oath and guided by prayer, will choose the next successor of Peter. You'll hear from: John Thavis, veteran Vatican journalist and former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service, and author of The Vatican Diaries Anne Thompson, NBC News' Chief Environmental Affairs Correspondent, who has long reported on the Catholic Church Gerard O'Connell, veteran Vatican correspondent for America magazine, co-host of Inside the Vatican, and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History Join us as we explore the sacred traditions and profound moments that shape a papal transition—and gain unique insight into the process of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church. Please support Inside the Vatican by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Links for further reading Pope Francis, trailblazing Jesuit with a heart for the poor, dies at 88 How Pope Francis changed the place of women in the church Pope Francis never stopped being a Jesuit Trump, Vance and Biden react to the death of Pope Francis A prayer for our beloved Pope Francis Vatican releases Pope Francis' final testament What happens after a pope dies? Pope Francis died after stroke and heart attack, Vatican says Pope Francis' funeral set for April 26, first photos of his body released Before picking a new pope, the cardinals will politick In last words, Pope Francis thanked his nurse ‘for bringing me back to the square' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secretive Catholic sect Opus Dei was founded on 2nd October, 1928 by the young, energetic priest Jose Maria Escriva, who believed his divine mission was to inject religious fervour into everyday life, with holiness achieved not via clergy, but from the daily work of laypeople.  The faith grew rapidly in Spain, especially during the Franco era, eventually spreading internationally. But its ties to right-wing governments, including those of Franco and Pinochet, sparked criticism; and its propagation of corporal mortification - where members engage in practices such as wearing uncomfortable garments and self-flagellation - have been controversial. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the organisation's presence in the halls of power; investigate how the sect continues to attract followers, years after Escriva's death (and Sainthood); and ask just how (in)accurate Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code really was…  Further Reading: • ‘What is Opus Dei, and why is it so controversial — both in and out of the Catholic Church?' (ABC News, 2023): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-30/what-is-opus-dei-secretive-catholic-church-group-prelature/101905802 • ‘Letter: A former member recalls Opus Dei's methods' (Financial Times, 2024): https://www.ft.com/content/5e053d88-4b12-4cd9-95d9-fbfee2eecfa4 • 'St. Josemaria Escriva's impact' (Catholic News Service, 2012): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHFNuo5cefQ Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Guests: Father Ed Broom, OMV, Catholic Exchange discusses St Jacinta and Our Lady of Fatima + John Thavis, author and former bureau chief of Catholic News Service discusses the new Vatican document on Marian apparitions

Guests: Father Ed Broom, OMV, Catholic Exchange discusses St Jacinta and Our Lady of Fatima + John Thavis, author and former bureau chief of Catholic News Service discusses the new Vatican document on Marian apparitions

On today's podcast, host Rick Howick welcomes a very special guest named Maureen Pratt to the show. Maureen is an award-winning author, conference speaker, and former syndicated columnist for Catholic News Service. She will be the keynote speaker at the “Caring for the Whole Person Training Conference,” being held on Saturday, December 2nd on the campus of Christ Cathedral. What are the best ways to support, care for, and accompany those facing serious life-threatening illness and end-of-life? This conference is sponsored by all four dioceses in southern California: Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego.Register at rcbo.org/familylifeWholeperson.care

Pope Francis has asked synod participants to “fast from public words”—and they've been instructed in the synod's official rules not to speak about their own or others' interventions in the synod, even after the meeting ends. In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle interviews John Thavis, the former Rome Bureau Chief of Catholic News Service and author of “The Vatican Diaries” and “The Vatican Prophecies,” about how synods and their guidelines around secrecy have evolved over time. Read the full show notes and find links to read more here. Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intelligenze artificiali, madonne che piangono e codici sconto Fonti: intervento di Armando Verdiglione all'evento "Rivoluzione digitale o rivoluzione dell'imprenditore?" all'Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia il 23 maggio 2017, pubblicato sul canale Youtube Il capitale intellettuale il 23 luglio 2017; trailer ufficiale di Wanna, docuserie del 2022 prodotta da FremantleMedia e distribuita su Netflix dal 21 settembre 2022, pubblicato sul canale Youtube di Netflix Italia il 12 settembre 2022; video "BENEDIZIONE di PADRE PIO (SAN PIO) - VOCE ORIGINALE" pubblicato sul canale Youtube CANALE CRISTIANO [W GESÙ] il 12 settembre 2020; dichiarazioni di Gisella Cardia a Catholic News Service per un servizio dal titolo "Is Mary appearing in a field near Rome?" pubblicato sul canale Youtube di Catholic News Service il 7 agosto 2020; sketch di Ezio Greggio nei panni del dottor Verdiglione a Drive In, programma ideato da Antonio Ricci e trasmesso da Italia 1 andato in onda dal 1983 al 1988, pubblicato sul profilo Facebook Italia ieri il 15 novembre 2019.

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone - now better known as St Francis of Assisi - attended Mass on 24th February, 1208, and heard the Gospel According to Matthew. From that day on, the former soldier and playboy removed his shoes, put on a rough tunic, and embarked fully into a monastic lifestyle. The process would lead him to meet the Pope and become officially recognised by the Church - but alienate him from his wealthy father, who had shelled out ransom money to return him from a battlefield prison. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly recall how Francis's father attempted to wangle him out of his inheritance; explore the really rather literal fashion in which Francesco interpreted his various visions; and explain why, at one point, Francis prayed for his miracles to STOP…  Further Reading: • ‘Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi - By Donald Spoto' (Penguin, 2003): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Reluctant_Saint/K6qy9JMXuGUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=assisi&printsec=frontcover • ‘Francis of Assisi, nature's mystic' (The Washington Post, 2013): https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/francis-of-assisi-natures-mystic/2013/03/20/82619910-9166-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html • ‘Francis: The Saint and the Pope' (Catholic News Service, 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcOU3bYmMOA #Medieval #Catholic #Italy We'll be back on Monday - unless you join 

This week, on a special edition of the SLHour we remember Pope Benedict and consider his legacy. We are joined by Doctor Christopher Bellitto, professor of history at Kean University and we also hear from Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec, Pope Francis' biographer, Austen Ivereigh, professor of theology at Regis College, Sr. Gill Goulding, CJ and Cindy Wooden, Rome Bureau Chief of Catholic News Service.

Is there a question you have about the Catholic Mass that you've always been too embarrassed to ask? Like: When we say, “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed,”...what's “the word”? You're in luck. This week, we're talking to Father Dave Dwyer, the executive director of Busted Halo, a media outreach of the Paulist Fathers, and the author of the new book Mass Class: Your Questions Answered. Zac and Ashley ask Father Dave their own burning questions about the liturgy, what he would say to Catholics who lost their “Mass habit” during the pandemic and how to make sure Mass etiquette does not get in the way of true reverence. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Carol Zimmerman, who has worked for Catholic News Service for 30 years reporting on education, health care and the Supreme Court. What will the church in the United States lose when the domestic operations of CNS close on Dec. 30? Finally, it's your last chance to submit questions for Zac and Ashley mailbag episode! Post your questions on Twitter, Facebook, Patreon or to jesuitical@americamedia.org by Monday, Dec. 19. Links from the show: U.S. bishops announce Catholic News Service to cease domestic operations at year's end Catholic News Service provides vital context that secular media misses. Shutting it down is a mistake. Mass Class: Your Questions Answered, by Father Dave Dwyer What's on tap? Pick your poison: Paloma or Negroni  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pope finally defined the dogma of The Immaculate Conception on 8th December, 1854; confirming that, in the view of the Catholic Church, Christ's mother Mary had not only been ‘full of grace', but was completely absent of sin even at her own conception. Even though this had been an unofficial concept for centuries prior, it still proved controversial, with 10% of Bishops believing it should not be adopted as doctrine. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly marvel at just how recently this fundamental principle of Catholicism was established; probe around in James, Brother of Jesus' Oedipal memoirs; and look at the role of Marian devotion in the Madonna-Whore complex… Further Reading: • ‘Christianity: Immaculate Conception' (BBC, 2011): https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/immaculateconception.shtml • ‘Did Jesus Have Siblings?' (Franciscan Media): https://www.franciscanmedia.org/ask-a-franciscan/did-jesus-have-siblings • ‘Pope Francis explains the Immaculate Conception' (Catholic News Service, 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCGZRGkTq3U Thanks so much for supporting the show! We massively appreciate it. The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill. Edit producer: Sophie King Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Luminaries series is a collection of interviews with premier thinkers working in the theological academy and the church. Dr. Michael J. Gorman, who goes by Mike, holds the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore. He is the author of many books with Cascade, including Reading Paul, Reading Revelation Responsibly, and the forthcoming The Self, the Lord, and the Other according to Paul and Epictetus. In our interview here, Professor Gorman and I talk about theological interpretation of Scripture, missional hermeneutics, theosis, the Book of Revelation, abortion, and more. Apologies for the glitches and poor sound quality in parts of the episode. We are actively working to strengthen WiFi signals and microphone quality. PODCAST LINKS: Blog post: https://wipfandstock.com/blog/2022/10/18/luminaries-abide-in-me-and-you-will-bear-much-fruit-an-interview-with-michael-j-gorman/ Gorman's author page: https://wipfandstock.com/author/michael-j-gorman/ CONNECT: Website: https://wipfandstock.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvht9V0Pndgvwh5vkpe0GGw Twitter: https://twitter.com/wipfandstock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wipfandstock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipfandstock/ SOURCES MENTIONED: Dault, David, et al. The Leaked Dobbs Draft, the Closure of Catholic News Service, and Looking Ahead to the Summer. The Francis Effect. Podcast audio. May 11, 2022. Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. “Reading for the Subject: The Paradox of Power in Romans 14:1—15:6.” Gorman, Michael J. Abide and Go: Missional Theosis in the Gospel of John. ———. Abortion and the Early Church: Christian, Jewish and Pagan Attitudes in the Greco-Roman World. ———. Reading Paul. Cascade Companions. ———. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation. ———. “Shalom and the Unborn.” ———, and Ann Loar Brooks. Holy Abortion?: A Theological Critique of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice: Why Christians and Christian Churches Should Reconsider the Issue of Abortion. Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Hays, Christopher B., and C. L. Crouch, eds. God and Guns: The Bible against American Gun Culture. Hays, Richard B. “Reading the Bible with Eyes of Faith: The Practice of Theological Exegesis.” LaHaye, Tim, and Jerry B. Jenkins. The Left Behind Series. 12 vols. Lindsey, Hal. There's a New World Coming: ‘A Prophetic Odyssey.' Sandmel, Samuel. “Parallelomania.” Williams, Rowan. Christ the Heart of Creation. OUTLINE: (01:32) - ‘70s Folk Rock (02:34) - France, Greece, and Turkey (03:29) - Theological Interpretation of Scripture (08:07) - Missional Hermeneutics, Missional Theosis (13:07) - Making Sense of the Pauline Corpus (15:15) - (Mis)readings of the Book of Revelation (21:20) - Abortion and the Church (25:40) - The Bible and Nonviolence (31:17) - Why Publish the Dissertation Now? (33:57) - Paul and Epictetus (38:57) - Writing for the Church, Ecumenism (41:45) - Changing Your Mind

This week's Say Yes to Holiness podcast 1:1 Conversation features Katie Prejean McGrady, Wife, Mom, Radio Host, Author and Podcaster. I had the opportunity to cross paths with Katie at the Given Institute's Women's Leadership Forum back in June, and our conversation centered upon how Katie came to be involved, and then also about her current activities as radio host on the Catholic Channel hosted on Sirius radio as she is living out the joys of being a wife and mom. Katie is an international Catholic speaker, and author of Follow and Room 24, and the coauthor of Lent: One Day at a Time with Catholic Teens. She is the project manager for Ave Explores and the cohost of The Electric Waffle podcast. Prejean McGrady served as one of three delegates for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the 2018 Pre-Synod Meeting on Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment in Rome. Katie is also a columnist for Catholic News Service and a writer for Blessed Is She, the Grotto Network, Life Teen, and America magazine. She has spoken at a variety of national youth conferences, including the National Catholic Youth Conference, Steubenville Youth conferences, National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry, Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, and in dioceses and parishes throughout the world. She has appeared on EWTN and CatholicTV, as well as numerous radio stations and podcasts. She has a degree in theology from the University of Dallas and lives in Louisiana with her husband, Tommy, and family. To learn more about Katie, go to: https://www.katieprejeanmcgrady.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message

The ailing pontiff has prompted speculation that he will resign with a planned visit to the tomb of a 13th-century pope who quit after five months.Meanwhile, his remarks about foes plotting his replacement have some observers wondering who is wielding the knife — or the lead piping…This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.Host: Jenny Kleeman.Clips: ABC News, BBC News, Catholic News Service, Channel 4 News, CNN, EWTN, France 24, National Geographic, NBC News, NewsNation, Newsmax TV, TheLip TV, WTHR. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nicole M. Perone is the National Coordinator of ESTEEM, the faith-based leadership formation program for Catholic students at colleges and universities across the United States. ESTEEM prepares young adults for the transition from campus ministry to parish life, and to engage their temporal gifts as leaders in their faith communities. ESTEEM is a partnership between Leadership Roundtable and Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University. Nicole previously served as the Archdiocesan Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Hartford. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale University. Her Bachelor of Arts in Theology with double minors in Italian and Catholic Studies was bestowed by Loyola University Maryland, where she graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. Nicole is the chair of the Board of Governors for the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults, and on the writing team for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' pastoral framework on youth and young adult ministry. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the All Africa Conference: Sister to Sister; the National Advisory Council for the Next Level initiative of the Center for FaithJustice; and the Advisory Board of the Youth in the 21 st Century Initiative of Sacred Heart University. In 2018, Nicole was a delegate to the Pre-Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, and served on the writing committee for the final document. Her work has been published by America Media, Catholic News Service, The Jesuit Post, and US Catholic. Nicole lives in Milford, Connecticut with her husband, John Grosso (director of digital media for the Diocese of Bridgeport), and their Golden Retriever, Ellie.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, and our religious practices were no exception. How this period of uncertainty affected the spiritual lives of young people is the subject Springtide Research Institute's latest report, “The State of Religion & Young People 2021.” We talk with Springtide's executive director, Dr. Josh Packard, about why young people have lost faith in the church and its leaders—and what older Catholics need to do to meet Gen-Z where they're at.  In Signs of the Times, producer Sebastian Gomes joins Ashley as a guest host this week to discuss the U.S. bishops' decision to cease the domestic operations of Catholic News Service. What does this closure mean for Catholic journalism and the people in the pews? Links from the show: Pope Francis' recipe to heal his painful knee? A shot of tequila Catholic News Service closure opens the door to partisan and ideological church coverage, Catholic journalists warn The State of Religion & Young People 2021 – Catholic Edition Join Jesuitical in Italy! What's on tap? Tequila! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David look at the implications of the recently-leaked Supreme Court decision that likely will overturn Roe v. Wade, and the impact of closing the USCCB-run Catholic News Service, and then they look back at the season and ahead to the summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pope defined the dogma of The Immaculate Conception - confirming that, in the view of the Catholic Church, Christ's mother Mary had not only been ‘full of grace', but was completely absent of sin even at her own conception - on 8th December, 1854.Despite this having been an unofficial concept amongst the faithful for centuries prior, it still proved controversial, with 10% of Bishops believing it should not be adopted as doctrine.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly marvel at just how recently this fundamental principle of Catholicism was established; probe around in James, Brother of Jesus' Oedipal memoirs; and consider the role of Marian devotion in the Madonna-Whore complex…Further Reading:• ‘Christianity: Immaculate Conception' (BBC, 2011): https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/immaculateconception.shtml• ‘Did Jesus Have Siblings?' (Franciscan Media): https://www.franciscanmedia.org/ask-a-franciscan/did-jesus-have-siblings• ‘Pope Francis explains the Immaculate Conception' (Catholic News Service, 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCGZRGkTq3UFor bonus material and to support the show, visit Patreon.com/RetrospectorsWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/RetrospectorsThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2021. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Catholic News Service Podcast hosts Chaz Muth and Carol Zimmermann preview the upcoming podcast series "Communion," how the Eucharist became a big news topic in 2021, the debate about denying Communion to Catholic politicians, the catechetical crisis involving belief in the real presence and more. Episode 1 will premiere Oct. 5, 2021.

John Mulderig of Catholic News Service shares his thoughts on movie releases for the summer of 2021, along with his take on how COVID has impacted the film industry -- and why popcorn is more than just a snack.

¡Todavía puedes apoyar a becar a alguno de los que no pueden con el 100% del #BackToBasics! https://www.moneypool.mx/pools/wt9hp?hide_tabs=true (Solo da click aquí.) Enlaces a lo platicado hoy: http://listen.jdn.app/medios (El episodio 8 de este podcast )en dónde discutimos de los medios de comunicación católicos https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/pillar-investigates-usccb-gen-sec (Pillar Investigates: USCCB gen sec Burrill resigns after sexual misconduct allegations) https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-pillar-podcast-ep-28-lets-talk (Podcast en el que JD Flynn y Ed Condon, los fundadores de The Pillar Catholic, hablan de las razones por las cuales decidieron publicar su investigación) https://www.catholicnews.com/update-usccb-general-secretary-resigns-reports-allege-possible-improper-behavior/ (Nota sobre la renuncia de Monseñor Burril en Catholic News Service), la agencia de noticias de la USCCB https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/catholic-priest-grindr-pillar/2021/07/24/b2772f02-ecb6-11eb-8950-d73b3e93ff7f_story.html (Nota del Washington Post) sobre la nota https://time.com/6083323/bishop-pillar-grindr-data/ (Nota de Time Magazine) sobre la nota https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248412/concerns-raised-about-using-surveillance-technology-to-track-clergy (Nota de Alejandro Bermúdez en CNA ")Concerns raised about using surveillance technology to track clergy" Entrevista de Alejandro Bermúdez a Dr. William J. Thorn "https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248487/catholic-journalism-expert-reflects-on-the-moral-issues-around-privacy-and-data (Catholic journalism expert reflects on the moral issues around privacy and data)" https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1417527046453014528?s=20 (Uno de los tweets del padre James Martin) Te puedes quejar de sus posturas, decirles en qué están mal en este correo o invitarlos a alguna conferencia, podcast o conferencia escribiendo a -> tomatelo@juandiegonetwork.com ++++++++++++++++++++++ Sigue a Rafa Piña en sus redes https://www.instagram.com/rafapinavaldez (https://www.instagram.com/rafapinavaldez) https://www.facebook.com/rafa.pinavaldez (https://www.facebook.com/rafa.pinavaldez) https://twitter.com/chestertonia (https://twitter.com/chestertonia) Y a Urquidi en https://www.instagram.com/urquidi (https://www.instagram.com/urquidi) https://twitter.com/urquidi (https://twitter.com/urquidi) El podcast de los desvaríos de dos católicos que aspiran a la clase media de la santidad y que no tienen pelos en la lengua, ni en la cabeza... Cada dos jueves se juntan Rafa Piña y Urquidi con trago en mano para platicar de dos o tres temas variados relacionados a la vida como católicos en nuestro mundo actual. ¿Quién es Rafa Piña? Es un apologista, conductor por 7 años del programa de María Visión "Apologética, razones de nuestra esperanza", profesor de antropología teológica en la Universidad Panamericana, conferencista en México, Estados Unidos, centro y Sudamérica y podcastero. ¿Quién es Urquidi? Esposo y papá católico, es fundador de Juan Diego Network y del Simposio Católico Virtual, podcastero, conferencista y escritor. Este podcast es parte de https://www.juandiegonetwork.com/ (https://www.JuanDiegoNetwork.com)

"This idea of finding grace within the mess, I think that is the call of the Christian life."-Laura Kelly Fanucci Season 4, Episode 2 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh. LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, Sister Julia Walsh talks with author and speaker Laura Kelly Fanucci about how she discovered her vocation to write about the intersection of parenting and faith, as a new mother. "It became a spiritual practice for me in those new years of motherhood, to just reflect on where I was finding God or struggling to find God, in the challenges and the joys of parenting. and things kind of grew out of that and I think I came to find that this was my life's calling," she explains. Laura also shares her story of grief and loss as a parent and how it strengthened her and her husband's connection to Holy Mystery. And Laura and Sister Julia discuss how the mess can help us support one another. "There's a call from this loss and grief for me to be in a different way with other people and with God," she says. ABOUT THE GUEST: Laura Kelly Fanucci is a writer and speaker who has spent over a decade working on the theology of vocation. She earned her Master of Divinity from Saint John's School of Theology and her BA from the University of Notre Dame. Laura is an award-winning columnist for Catholic News Service, and her nationally-syndicated “Faith at Home” column runs monthly in Catholic newspapers across the U.S. Her writing has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, On Being, and The Christian Century, as well as popular outlets including People Magazine and the Kelly Clarkson Show.Laura has authored seven books, most recently, "Grieving Together: A Couple's Journey through Miscarriage." She and her husband live in Minnesota with their children. You can find Laura on several social media channels as well as her website. Facebook: @mothering.spirit Instagram: @thismessygrace/ Twitter: @lkfanucci Contemplative Moment features a reading from Galatians. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is produced and hosted by Sister Julia Walsh, and edited by Charish Badzinski. Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

Host Bob Gilligan speaks with Rhina Guidos, Reporter/Editor at Catholic News Service, about the Cuban-American bishops' recent call for humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba

Today we're talking about the sign of peace, its origins, and how it's a movement of real grace from God to and through each other, person to person, light to light as though we're human candles. It's not an empty gesture of greeting, and understanding its importance may be a key for our church to move forward in this challenging time. 1. Consider the Lilies, the great message from Paul Bergin I referenced that we heard at the Belonging Co. Church in Nashville 2. Mother Teresa reads the Prayer of St. Francis in her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech 3. Signs of Peace: The Interfaith Letters of Thomas Merton, by William Apel 4. The Importance of the Sign of Peace, a short video from Catholic News Service featuring Fr. William T. Cocco 5. Song: Prayer of St. Francis, by Simon de Voil 6. Song: Peace, Be Still, by Lauren Daigle and The Belonging Co. 7. Song: Kind, by Amanda Lindsey Cook 8. Song: Love One Another, by Luacine Clark Fox & The Mormon Tabernacle Choir 9. Song: Love One Another/Child of God, by Brigham Welch and Michael Hardey 10. Song: Let There Be Peace on Earth, by The Boys Choir of Harlem

Don Clemmer joins Rachel Amiri, Mike Lewis, and D.W. Lafferty to discuss the relationship between two key themes of Pope Francis’s papacy: mercy and synodality. We will discuss Don’s article, “Pope Francis and the Age of Mercy” and Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s recent Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture on Pope Francis’s vision of synodality. Don’s work has appeared in National Catholic Reporter, Catholic News Service, America, and US Catholic. He edits Cross Roads magazine for the Catholic Diocese of Lexington. From 2008-16, he served in the communications department of USCCB. Visit us: www.wherepeteris.com Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_is Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wherepeteris Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Where_Peter_is

This month, we start the show with a special announcement. Then we talk with James Beverley, author of God's Man in the White House, about the world of religio-political prophecy. And in One Last Thing, Dan is taking advantage of his free trial of HBO Max and Tim is taking advantage of the public library.   Some of the things we talked about on this show: Dr. Beverley mentioned the Vineyard Movement and the Kansas City Prophets, as well as the prophecy ministries of a number of individuals, including Jeremiah Johnson, Lance Wallnau, and Kat Kerr. Many of these ministries align with the New Apostolic Reformation. Dr. Beverley also mentioned the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University. Here is the Catholic News Service article that quotes Dan alongside an advisor to the Pope. Dan's One Last Thing was the HBO Max series Harley Quinn. Tim's One Last Thing was the Hank Green novel An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.   0:00-2:43: Introduction and announcement 2:47-27:53: Berkeley interview 27:58-31:53: Dan's OLT 31:53-34:27: Tim's OLT 34:28-35:26: Credits

The Arlington Catholic Herald gets ready for the Oscars, which will be broadcast on ABC April 26, 8 p.m. EDT. Managing Editor Ann Augherton and co-host Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talk with two Catholic movie experts – John Mulderig of Catholic News Service and Daughter of St. Paul Sr. Rose Pacatte – about how the pandemic affected moviegoing in 2020. We get the experts’ takes on each of the nominees for Best Picture and get their prediction on which movie will win the coveted #BestPicture #Oscar.

Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Nicole Perone offers another look at "doubting Thomas": "We realize that identifying as a disciple of Jesus Christ is not simply a matter of whether you believe or you don’t. Rather, it is about what we do with our belief...Can we become the living proclamation of Doubting – no, Believing Thomas, who gasps in breathless awe, 'My Lord and my God!'" Nicole M. Perone is the National Coordinator of ESTEEM, the faith-based leadership formation program for Catholic students at colleges and universities across the United States. ESTEEM is a partnership between Leadership Roundtable and Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University. Nicole previously served as the Archdiocesan Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Hartford. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale University. In 2018, Nicole was a delegate to the Pre-Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, and served on the writing committee for the final document. Her work has been published by Catholic News Service, America Media, The Jesuit Post, and US Catholic. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04112021 to learn more about Nicole or to read her preaching text and for more preaching from Catholic women.

In this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with Laura Kelly Fanucci about how to talk to children about politics and current events. In their conversation, Julie and Laura discuss the importance of forming children’s consciences regarding political matters as well as personal. They talk about how to make big issues feel small and approachable, how to incorporate prayer into family discussions on politics and current events, and why politics isn’t as simple as “good guys vs. bad guys.” And as we near the end of a highly contentious presidential election, Julie and Laura also discuss how to help children understand a politics that is so marked by bad behavior. (But the two also talk about what is giving them hope for the future.)Laura Kelly Fanucci is a writer and speaker who has spent over a decade working on theology of vocation. She earned her Master of Divinity from Saint John's School of Theology and her BA from the University of Notre Dame. Laura is an award-winning columnist for Catholic News Service, and her nationally syndicated “Faith at Home” column runs monthly in Catholic newspapers across the U.S. Her writing has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, On Being, and the Christian Century, and in popular outlets including People Magazine and the Kelly Clarkson Show.Laura has authored seven books, including Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting. She and her husband live in Minnesota with their children.To learn more about Laura, please visit her website, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, and check out her book. Follow Julie on Instagram or Facebook, or visit www.thesewallsblog.com/morethanpolitics to learn more about this podcast.Theme music is by purple-planet.com

This coming week on The Open Door we discuss Catholic journalism and publishing. We're keen to explore, as well, the media landscape in a time of cultural confusion. Our welcome guest is Greg Erlandson. In 2016 he became Editor in Chief of Catholic News Service. CNS serves Catholic publications and dioceses throughout the United States and around the world. For 15 years Erlandson was President and Publisher of the Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division. He had served first as Editor in Chief at OSV Publishing. In 2014 he was one of six experts appointed by the Council of Cardinals to the Vatican Media Committee to propose reforms for the Vatican's media operations. He is co-author of Pope Benedict XVI and the Sexual Abuse Crisis: Working for Reform and Renewal (2010). Among the questions we'll ask him are the following. Please feel free to suggest others! (October 16, 2020)1. Can you give us an overview of Catholic journalism today, noting some of its highs and lows? What changes have your seen over the past several years?2. How fares Catholic publishing today? What do you see happening in the next decade?3. People first! What it is like for what some call “the ink-stained wretches” in Catholic journalism and publishing?4. Please outline for us Bishop Burbidge's new pastoral letter on communications.5. What factors come into play in the ever shrinking number of newspapers of every sort?6. Can you tell us about the challenges you see in the digital transformation of much of contemporary culture?7. Is there a contest, both visible and invisible, between the word and the image? Is there a way to integrate them?8. A final question: Who are some of the saints and heroes of Catholic journalism and publishing?

Bill interviewed a leading Catholic voice in public affairs, especially in bioethics and the culture of life: Richard Doerflinger. His latest column for Catholic News Service examines the implications of the “Science Wins” maxim publicized by Pfizer Inc. in a recent TV commercial. You can see the commercial here. Doerflinger mentioned libertarian bioethicist John Harris in connection with the developments and moral controversies surrounding research on embryonic stem cells some years ago. Once concerns about human dignity were successfully eased by the development of pluripotent cells, science and society both did win from a prudential pullback from reliance on embryonic cells. Phronesis is practical moral judgment that integrates human wisdom and prudence to make the best decisions possible on public policy and practice given the facts human beings know from science—in light of virtue as a crucial factor. In the Catholic journal First Things. James Hankins has written recently about Machiavelli as the political guru of his day, who introduced scientism as a values-free guideline for geopolitical strategy. Machiavelli’s own predictions about outcomes in the absence of moral judgments led to strategic failures rather than successes, Doerflinger pointed out. The only law of history is the law of unintended consequences, according to Niall Ferguson, famed analyst of history, economics, and science. Doerflinger commented that unintended negative consequences have indeed been known to result from cases where science was unleashed without the exercise of human prudence. Photo credit: The Criterion (Indianapolis)

We're joined by Greg Erlandson, editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service, to discuss the importance and impact of CNS in viewing the world through the lens of faith as the news service celebrates 100 years.

Tues. March 24th-Hour 2. Congressman Dan Lipinski on pro-life democrats and coronavirus bills. Greg Erlandson from Catholic News Service on covering the news during this pandemic Marriage during Pandemic time with Greg and Julie Alexander. Glen’s Story Corner All show notes at Cong. Lipinski on pro-life democrats and coronavirus bills, Marriage during pandemics, Covering Catholic News - This podcast produced by Relevant Radio

Grab your popcorn and settle in for a look at this year's Academy Award contenders with John Mulderig, a longtime movie critic for Catholic News Service. John shares his insights on the Oscars shortlist, as well as his reflections on faith and film.

The 92nd Academy Awards are coming up, and that means people are scrambling to watch all the Oscar-nominated films. In this episode, Managing Editor Ann Augherton talks with two acclaimed Catholic film critics to get their take on which films might win Oscars, including "The Two Popes." They also talk Oscar snubs and movie recommendations. On the phone: Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP, Director for the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Los Angeles John Mulderig, Assistant Director for Media Reviews at Catholic News Service in New York City

This year, the Catholic Church declared John Henry Newman a saint following a lengthy investigation which concluded that two miraculous cures had resulted from the Cardinal’s intercession. It’s not only the Christian Church that believes in miracles. But what actually are they and should we find a new and broader definition for the 21st century? Nuclear scientist Professor Ian Hutchinson; John Thavis, former Rome Bureau Chief for the Catholic News Service and Dr Sarah Shaw, a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, join Ernie to discuss. Producer: Helen Lee

This year, the Catholic Church declared John Henry Newman a saint following a lengthy investigation which concluded that two miraculous cures had resulted from the Cardinal’s intercession. It’s not only the Christian Church that believes in miracles. But what actually are they and should we find a new and broader definition for the 21st century? Nuclear scientist Professor Ian Hutchinson; John Thavis, former Rome Bureau Chief for the Catholic News Service and Dr Sarah Shaw, a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, join Ernie to discuss. Producer: Helen Lee

Can we learn some profound things about the impact of technology on our world and our lives from a voice that spoke out 100 years ago? How could someone writing in the 1920s possibly glimpse what we’d be facing in our highly technological world of as we approach the 2020s? Well, it may seem unlikely, but it is indeed true that the Catholic Priest, theologian, early media and technology scholar Romano Guardini glimpsed well in advance where we were heading in the modern world. My guest today is not Romano Guardini—he’s not available—but Robert Duncan, who is completing a documentary on Guardini’s “Letters from Lake Como”, that deal deeply with the questions of technology and culture. Robert Duncan is an award-winning multimedia journalist from the Rome Bureau of Catholic News Service. He was born and raised in North Carolina, he studied film, television, journalism and philosophy at New York University. He now resides in the countryside near Rome with his family. ------ Live: www.redeemerradio.com Follow Redeemer Radio on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @RedeemerRadio Follow McGrath Institute for Church Life on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @McGrathND Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes | Google Play | SoundCloud

This week we explore Catholic cemeteries because November is the traditional month for remembering the dead in the Roman Catholic Church, including a look into the earliest, largest, and most significant cemeteries in America as well as a special behind the scenes look at the gravesite of the most famous Catholic American, President John F. Kennedy.www.tombwithaview.weebly.comtombwithaviewpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: tomb.with.a.viewFacebook: Tomb with a View PodcastSelect Bibliography:Burke, Cardinal Raymond L., "On the Christian Burial of the Dead." Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of LaCrosse, WI, November 2, 2000, www. catholicculture.org.Garland, Bishop James H., "Pastoral Letter on Christian Funerals." Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Marquette, MI, November 2, 2001, www.dioceseofmarquette.comCatechism of the Catholic Church. (Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1994).Brantl, George, Great Religions of Modern Man: Catholicism. (George Braziller, Inc., 1962).Duncan, Robert, " The Ecology of Burial: Choices Reflect Beliefs About Life After Death." Catholic News Service, January 21, 2017.Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [formerly: Holy Office], "Piam et Constantem." July 5, 1963.Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "Instruction Ad Resurgendum cum Christo Regarding the Burial of the Deceased and the Conservation of the Ashes in the Case of Cremation." March 2, 2016.Clappin, Elizabeth A., "Primus Inter Pares: The Character Defining Contextual Design of the John F. Kennedy Gravesite." Markers, XXXVI, June, 2019.

Richard Doerflinger joins Tom Shakely and Alyssa Grasinski to speak on the advance of America's pro-suicide advocates over the course of Doerflinger's 36-year career at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in their Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, and his recent Public Discourse piece, "Assisted Suicide: The Ethics, the Laws, and the Dangers." Richard is an Associate Scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute and a Fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and he writes a monthly syndicated column distributed by Catholic News Service. Richard and his wife Lee Ann are active members of Sacred Heart parish in La Conner, Washington.

Eugenics is a bad idea, a bad idea that, like all bad ideas, has victims. Efforts to keep those deemed inferior from reproducing or even existing were a central part of the Nazi experiment in Germany, which upended the entire world and led  to the extermination of millions of so-called “lives unworthy of life.” And yet, eugenics is still with us. Not (thank God) the eugenics of the Nazi variety, but the West has long been unable to shake the sort of eugenics that's reminiscent of the kind practiced before the Third Reich. This quieter type of eugenics is sold with the claim to have the best interests of victims and society in mind. Proponents wear clean white lab coats or judges' black robes, while still dehumanizing and advancing evil. Just a few days ago, a British judge ordered that a woman with mental disability, who is in her twenties and in her second trimester of pregnancy be forced to have an abortion. This order was contrary to the communicated wishes of both the anonymous woman and her mother, who is an immigrant from Nigeria and a former midwife. Judge Nathalie Lieven of the Court of Protection, which adjudicates cases involving mentally disabled persons, acknowledged that her order for a forced abortion was “an immense intrusion” into this young woman's life, but she insisted the state was acting in her “best interests…” Having this child, Judge Lieven argued, would be more traumatic than killing it, because this disabled woman couldn't possibly understand what it means to be a mother. In a shockingly patronizing note, the judge went on: “I think she would like to have a baby in the same way she would like to have a nice doll.” So, presumably, the decision should be taken out of her hands and the hands of her family—who promised to care for the baby. Thank God, as the Catholic News Service reported on Monday, the English Court of Appeals overturned this frightening ruling and halted the forced abortion, at least for now. The three justices on the Court promised to release the reasons for their decision at a later date. It's anyone's guess what they'll say. What we must demand, however, is that the horrifying logic that Judge Lieven used in her original decision is confronted and confined to the dustbins of judicial history. After all, her words were far too reminiscent of the words Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes used, writing for the majority in Buck v. Bell, in 1927. In that decision the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the forced sterilization of a woman with mental disability. Holmes' infamous justification for violating this woman's dignity: “Three generations of imbeciles are enough.” Those words were later cited during post-World War II Nuremberg trials by Nazi defendants as proof of their innocence. Though forced sterilizations of the mentally disabled are, hopefully, a thing of the past, forced and selective abortions are every bit as much a form of eugenics, and are grounded in the same terrifying worldview. In America, as in other developed countries, the vast majority of babies diagnosed in the womb with disabilities like Down syndrome are aborted. Again, this is done in the name of compassion, complete with the platitudes like, “Life with Down syndrome is not a life worth living.” How eerily similar to other phrases used by the Nazis to support the killing of those whom they deemed to be “unfit.” You should know that prenatal tests that lead to our contemporary eugenics practices are nowhere near as reliable as advertised. According to a 2014 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, over half of women who were told their child likely had Down syndrome either delivered or aborted babies which turned out to be healthy. And a whopping 60 percent of babies diagnosed in utero with Edward syndrome, another chromosomal disorder, turned out to be healthy, too. Even so, let's be clear: all life is worth living, disability or not, and affirming the profound, inherent, and equal value of people with disabilities is an ancient, bedrock Christian practice. The idea that there are certain people unworthy of life or of human rights is a tree that's borne nothing but poisonous fruit for over a hundred years. Despite the historical horrors of the 20th century, it seems that too many are still willing to eat that fruit.

In this episode, Philip Lawler analyses the recent Vatican Summit with hosts Bonnie Quirke. Suzy McGinn and Rosemarie Simon.  Mr. Lawler is the editor of Catholic World News (the first English-language Catholic News Service operating on the Internet), author of ten books, most recently "Smoke of Satan,  former editor of Crisis Magazine, and Director of Studies for the Heritage Foundation.   

We're joined by John Mulderig, Associate Director of Media Reviews for Catholic News Service to discuss the 2019 Academy Awards.

The Catholic Herald rolls out the red carpet in a special podcast featuring prolific movie reviewer Sister Rose Pacatte, and John Mulderig, a movie critic with Catholic News Service. The two give their takes on big-name films such as "Black Panther" and "A Star is Born," and their own personal favorites that didn't make it to the Oscars.  See our past interviews with Sister Rose and John. 

In this episode, Catholic News Service editor-in-chief Greg Erlandson talks about how the U.S. bishops have addressed the abuse crisis to date, the current challenges they are facing, and what's on the agenda during their Nov. 12-14 general assembly in Baltimore. Helpful links: Bishops to focus on abuse crisis, discernment Protecting God's Children (scroll down for Q&A about abuse crisis) This is what changed after the 2002 abuse crisis

Cindy Wooden has covered the church from Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau for almost 29 years, traveling with the pope on more than 40 foreign trips. She shares her impressions of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, and insights into the mind of Pope Francis in a compelling interview with “Catholic Baltimore.”

It's no surprise. Mother Teresa is the newest saint of the Catholic Church. I became Catholic the year after she died. I hadn't paid her much attention. And yet along with the rest of the world, I knew she was holy. Sure, there were detractors. There always are. They're nuts. While most people loved and respected Mother Teresa, she also made them uneasy. Let's be honest, she made a lot of Catholics uneasy! Hers might have been the "little way" of her namesake St. Therese of Lisieux, but it wasn't an easy way. Sainthood never is. In this episode I brought in phenomenal author David Scott. He's been a powerhouse in the Catholic universe for more than 30 years, publishing all over world and holding top editorial positions at the largest Catholic newspaper (Our Sunday Visitor) and Catholic News Service. He's currently the Vice Chancellor of Communications in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He's hands down one of the best Catholic writers around. And he's written a gorgeous little book about Mother Teresa that's unlike any other. His is beyond biography. David's book The Love That Made Mother Teresa is a spiritual exegesis of a life well-lived that will challenge and inspire you to ascend the spiritual ladder. In this amazing interview we'll discuss: What made a little Albanian nun so special How she practiced something called the "The Law of the Conservation of Charity" The response of Mother Teresa to those who derided her work and accused her of ignoring the "causes" of poverty The deep connection between the apparitions at Fatima and those of Mother Teresa The providential placement of her first home for the dying next to the temple of a terrifying Hindu goddess The intense spiritual struggle that tortured her for fifty years Prepare to be transformed by St. Teresa of Kolkata. God bless! Matthew P.S. Don't just listen to us talk about it. Do it! Grab your FREE copy of my quick guide to deeper prayer 8 Ways To Jumpstart Your Prayer Life! It's an easy step-by-step guide to help you rocket to God! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't miss a show! Subscribe to The Art of Catholic by clicking this link and then clicking "View in iTunes" under the picture and then "Subscribe"!  Love the show and want more people to hear the Catholic faith? Leave a review by clicking here and then the "View in iTunes" button under my picture. This pushes the show up the rankings and puts it in front of more people. Android user? You can listen to The Art of Catholic on the Beyond Pod app from the Google Play Store. Want to tour Catholic Europe's most beautiful holy sites? Join Matthew on a  St. Paul Center pilgrimage to Fatima, Spain, Lourdes, and other amazing holy sites this October 23rd to November 1st. Click here for details.

Looking for a great epic novel to read over the Christmas break? This week we speak with Denise Mallett a young and talented author about her novel, The Tree; Gillian Kantor tells us what she learned from her kids this month, Sebastian Gomes speaks with Tony Spence of Catholic News Service on Conn...

Looking for a great epic novel to read over the Christmas break? This week we speak with Denise Mallett a young and talented author about her novel, The Tree; Gillian Kantor tells us what she learned from her kids this month, Sebastian Gomes speaks with Tony Spence of Catholic News Service on Conn...

As the former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service, few understand the inner workings of the seat of Roman Catholicism better than John Thavis. His book reveals that Vatican City's public image of power, hierarchical authority and reverence for the past often masks a disorganized, inept and uncertain organizational culture.

This week, on a special edition of the SLHour, Frank Rocca, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service tells us what the Vatican was like when Pope Benedict announced his resignation and we speak with Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB about his work as English collaborator to the Vatican Press Office. We a...

This week, on a special edition of the SLHour, Frank Rocca, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service tells us what the Vatican was like when Pope Benedict announced his resignation and we speak with Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB about his work as English collaborator to the Vatican Press Office. We a...

Summary of today's show: For our regular Thursday review of the week's news, Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Fr. Roger Landry, and Gregory Tracy looked at this week's headlines, including the upcoming Divine Mercy Sunday and how the topic of mercy is emerging as a defining theme of Pope Francis' papacy; a brief summary of the Diviner Mercy devotion; and how Pope Francis' pick for Vatican Secretary of State will launch the much-expected reform of the Vatican Curia. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today's guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today's show: Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today's topics: Divine Mercy; Vatican Secretary of State and reform of the Vatican 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed Susan Abbott, Gregory Tracy, and Fr. Roger Landry to the show. Fr. Roger said this week he was conducting a priests' retreat with priests from around the country, as they recuperated from the work of Holy Week and Easter. Susan said her Triduum was of course wonderful as it should be. Greg said his whole family was together on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and he and his wife were at the cathedral at the Easter Vigil without the kids, but with the Neocatechumenal Way. Fr. Roger said the first time celebrating Holy Week in his new parish in Fall River was a little more work so he could work together with everyone who has been doing the things the same way for years. He said Good Friday is the toughest day because priests are fasting, but are going all day long with various services. On Holy Saturday he tried to rest. He then told a story of his Easter Vigil in which the fire for the liturgy went out but then spontaneously erupted. Scot said in his column this week in the Anchor, Fr. Roger wrote that Pope Francis wants the fruit of Easter to go beyond our heads to extend to our hearts. Fr. Roger said Pope Francis talked on Easter that love is triumphant. The truth of God's mercy has to be in our heart, so our heart believes what our head grasps. We have to internalize it. The column was an introduction to Pope Francis' teachings on mercy. He said in the book-length Spanish-language biography of Pope Francis, “The Jesuit”, he had talked about Jesus as the One who had saved us, yet so many of us are distant from the experience of gratitude for what Christ did for us. He noted that 74% of Catholics in the US never go to receive the Sacrament of Confession. Never. We're so supposed to go at least once per year and even more if possible. He said Christ appeared to St. Faustina in Poland in the 1930s as the Divine Mercy to ensure that His mercy isn't forgotten and that we should be open to it as much as possible. Scot asked Susan as a religious education professional how we can help people go from head-knowledge about Christ to knowing him in our hearts. She said that Pope John Paul II said catechesis is first about formation, secondly about information. It can't just be facts we know in our head. The Hebrew word for “know” means to be “seated in the heart.” We need to know dogma and doctrine, but we also have to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. When she works with adults in formation, they save the lesson on sacramental reconciliation for the second half of the process. She said the people from her parish who were baptized at the Easter vigil had sins fully forgiven and so on Tuesday she emphasized with them that going forward they need to know that reconciliation is a great gift and an obligation. Scot said Cardinal Dolan said to the bishops last year that the sacrament of the new evangelization is the sacrament of confession and in recent weeks Pope Francis has talked often of the need for Christ's mercy and how He reaches out to us. He said it's going to be a frequent message in his papacy that we need to accept Jesus as our savior, which changes the nature of our relationship with God. Greg talked about people who say Catholics are too hung up on sin, but the reality is that if we don't recognize our sins and what Christ has saved us from, then we have even more reason to be glad and to see what He has done for us. Fr. Roger said Pope Francis' motto clearly points to the fact that mercy will be a center point of his papacy. His motto “Miserando Atque Eligendo” comes Bl. Venerable Bede and shows that his vocation was born in an experience of God's mercy, when as a 16-year-old boy he went to confession on the Feast of St. Matthew. Pope Francis told us in his first homily that God will tire in offering his forgiveness, but that we often tire of asking for forgiveness. Scot asked Fr. Roger to give a brief summary of the Divine Mercy devotion and why the second Sunday of Easter is now Divine Mercy Sunday. Fr. Roger said when Jesus appeared to St. Faustina he specifically asked this Sunday to be set aside for Divine Mercy. The Gospel reading for that Sunday deals with Jesus giving the power to bind and loose sins to the apostles and thus the ability to hear confessions. Jesus revealed five practices to St. Faustina five practices to help us grow in the knowledge of Divine Mercy: acknowledging the three o'clock hour each day; praying the Divine Mercy chaplet; venerate the image of Divine Mercy; pray a novena of Divine Mercy leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday; and mark Divine Mercy Sunday with special devotion. Scot noted that the national Shrine for Divine Mercy is just a few hours away in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Greg said it's run by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and he's gone a few times. 2nd segment: Scot said even before the conclave, in addition to the question of who would be the next pope, there was also the question of who the next pope would pick as Secretary of State to begin the reform of the Vatican Curia that so many people say is needed. Catholic News Service has published this article dealing with the question of who Pope Francis will pick. Greg said the Secretary of State is not like the US Secretary of State, but he's more like a vicar general of the archdiocese or the prime minister in a parliament who does the daily function of governance, while the head of state is a president or monarch. Greg said there's a lot of talk of the position going to an Italian as a consolation prize that an Italian didn't become pope. It could also be invaluable because of the close relations with Italy, but also because so much of the curia is an Italian. There's also a lot of talk of choosing an outsider from outside the curia. Three different Italians being talked about are Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State; Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, who served under Cardinal Bertone for four years as the “substitute” in charge of the church's internal affairs; Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy; and Cardinal Maria Vigano, formerly the second-highest official in Vatican City State and now the pope's nuncio in Washington, DC. Fr. Roger said after this conclave with its unexpected results, the speculation in the media needs to be tempered in light of that so the fact that these names are mentioned doesn't mean that's who Pope Francis is thinking about. The new secretary needs to be able to work closely with Pope Francis and there needs to be a complementary. He needs to be a sign of contradiction, willing to make some people mad in the course of reform. He needs to be very well organized, capable of bringing about a culture that's organized and efficient. The corruption of the curia isn't moral, but mainly a corruption of inefficiency. There's also a corruption of nepotism, where connections and personal trust are more important than a lower bid. The new secretary, as chief foreign minister, must also be capable of working in diplomatic circles. The current secretary, Cardinal Bertone only speaks Spanish or Italian. Scot asked Susan why she thinks this is such a high-profile position where in the recent past most Catholics would have no clue such a position even existed. Susan said there's an awareness now that people want to know what's going on. Greg said this decision will be seen as an indicator of the trajectory of Pope Francis' papacy, especially since there was such emphasis on the need for reform in the run up to the conclave. He said it's akin to the attention paid to a new US president's first picks for his cabinet. Fr. Roger said he's not surprised that the appointment hasn't come yet. You wouldn't do that during Holy Week to avoid taking the focus off what's more important. It's also a sign he didn't know exactly who he wanted and wanted time to think about it. Fr. Roger noted that Cardinal Filoni and Cardinal Harvey were on the Pope's schedule today. He would be surprised if the appointment doesn't come within a month. Scot said he was surprised to learn that the Pope has never used a computer or even sent an email himself. He said he also admitted that he's tone-deaf,which is why he doesn't sing or chant during Mass or prayers. He gets all his news through printed newspapers, which Greg said we all should do.

Last Monday, Benedict XVI announced that he will be retiring as Pope on February 28. This week, Frank Rocca, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service joins us to explain. Gillian Kantor tells us what her kids taught her this week and we meet singer/songwriter/worship leader/speaker and comedian...

Last Monday, Benedict XVI announced that he will be retiring as Pope on February 28. This week, Frank Rocca, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service joins us to explain. Gillian Kantor tells us what her kids taught her this week and we meet singer/songwriter/worship leader/speaker and comedian...

Summary of today's show: The big news of the week continues to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI from the See of St. Peter and our Thursday news panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Fr. Roger Landry, and Gregory Tracy examines the latest headlines and stories from the Vatican, around the world, and here at home to discuss what it means for the Church, why Pope Benedict may have taken this step, how the election of a new pope will take place, and who the cardinals are who will select the next leader of the Catholic Church. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today's guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today's show: Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today's topics: Papal Resignation 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show and noted that longtime listeners know we discuss the Catholic news on Thursday and this may be the biggest news we've ever had. Susan Abbott said she was in total disbelief when she heard it and compared to hearing when Pope John Paul I died. Gregory Tracy said he was the only one awake in his coffee, getting coffee, and checking his phone for any news alerts. His first thought was that it would be a very busy week. Scot gave a compliment to the Pilot staff for the coverage in this week's newspaper. Greg said it was important to counter all the speculation in the secular press, especially what they got wrong. He gave credit to Catholic News Service for being a great resource for Catholic newspapers. Scot said the Vatican spokesmen have been clearing up questions. We've been hearing the details of the monastery Benedict will move into, that his bishop-secretary, Archbishop Ganswein will move in with Benedict but will continue his work as Prefect of the Papal Household. The Conclave will also start sometime in mid-March. Fr. Roger Landry said the Apostolic constitution said there's needs to be 15 to 20 days before the Conclave can begin, but that's because of the need for nine days of mourning and they're apparently going to enforce that rule. Some presume that the Conclave will go fast and the first Mass of the new pope will be Palm Sunday, but Fr. Roger thinks it will go slow. Unlike the last conclave where so many cardinals came in willing to vote for Ratzinger, now there will be a much wider field. Fr. Roger said we've also learned how much the whole Catholic world loves Pope Benedict and we've also learned how much the media still looks at the Church as just another political institution instead of looking at her on her own terms. He said this a time for people to stay close to authentic Catholic media sources. Scot said there will be two additional Wednesday audiences, with the last on February 27. He will also meet with all the cardinals on February 28. He wondered if all the cardinals will be able to go on February 28, given their responsibilities at home, the need to be in Rome for the conclave later in March, and then Holy Week following right after. Greg's guess is that Cardinal Seán will make every effort to go because of his great affection for the Holy Father. Scot said he considered that here is an 85-year-old with this massive job. Fr. Roger wrote about that this week in his column in The Anchor. While many of us have been more than satisfied at the level with which he was continuing to serve the whole Church at 85, it's clear that he believes that the ministry of the successor of St. Peter requires more and better than he thinks he is physically capable of giving. Out of love for the Church, he humbly became the first pope in 598 years to step down. On a physical level, his conclusion is understandable. Very few octogenarians would have the stamina to fulfill the Pope's daily schedule of continuous high-level meetings and speeches, not to mention grueling international travel and a liturgical schedule awaiting him during Holy Week that has been known to wipe out priests half his age in settings far smaller. If most pastors would be physically challenged to administer a busy parish in their mid-80s, how much more grueling must it be to preside over a church of one billion people. And, in Pope Benedict, we're talking about a priest who's had two strokes, a pacemaker for 20 years, prostate problems and some form of degenerative joint disease. All the same, even at obviously reduced physical capacity, Pope Benedict was still capable of leading the Church with incredible wisdom because of his unbelievably brilliant and totally undiminished mind. In one of several interviews I gave on Monday, the journalist asked what people would say his legacy would be in ten years. I responded that it's more fitting to ask what his legacy will be in 500 years, because having him on the cathedra of Peter was like having another St. Leo the Great, someone whom future generations will likely deem a doctor the Church. Susan said she didn't know about the pope's pacemaker until she read this week that he'd recently had its battery replaced. Scot said part of the big shock is that we've always assumed popes serve until they die. Nevertheless, Pope Benedict had said in the past that popes could and sometimes should resign for the good of the Church. Greg said we had no more clear example of service until death than Pope John Paul II, who was under great pressure to resign for years. He said it wasn't until this modern era that a person living on and on while physically debilitated became possible. He thinks Pope Benedict wanted to set a precedent and make it possible for his successors to take this option. Scot asked Fr. Roger why Pope's don't have a retirement age when bishops and pastors do. He said historically even bishops and pastors didn't have mandatory retirement ages, but in 1983 with the Code of Canon Law that was implemented after cases of bishops and pastors staying in office well after they could no longer carry out the duties of the office. For the Holy Father we kept the old system. There can't be a mandatory retirement age for the Holy Father because he is the Supreme Legislator and there is no one to enforce a retirement. There are procedures in place in the case of a pope who is non compos mentis to have the election of a new pope. Scot said he's always wondered what it's really like in the Sistine Chapel when the conclave happens. Cardinal Seán was asked some of the questions about it earlier this week during a news conference. His answers were consistent with most cardinals who have been asked in that he doesn't believe himself to be the man who should be selected. Susan related a story with the lesson that none of us are worthy and so we all are equally valid choices in some ways to serve the Lord. She noted that the Cardinal said he had bought a round-trip ticket for Rome and expects to come home. She notes that the room in which the new pope vests for the first time is called the Room of Tears because of the way the men selected react very often. Scot said his sense is that Cardinal Seán knows about 50 of the cardinals, but still needs to do a lot of research to understand the backgrounds and gifts of the other possible candidates can offer. Only then can he stand up and say that “this” is what the Church needs most in the coming decades. Fr. Roger said he expects the cardinals have started praying for guidance of the Holy Spirit and personally calling for God's help. They're starting to seek help and learning more about the other cardinals. They're probably expressing their shock with each other. They're probably talking the qualities of the next Holy Father vis a vis the challenges facing the Church. He said the 2005 conclave will have been easier than this one and this conclave will be more like 1978. Scot said we will probably end up with 116 voting cardinals. He asked how the balloting works. Fr. Roger talked about the mechanics of the voting, how each one submits a ballot. They need a two thirds majority of ballots. We will not know the results of any balloting until the pope is elected. We will never know who the other candidates were. Scot asked what we should be doing as Catholics as we think about who the next pope will be. Susan said we should all be praying every day for our new pope, especially the Veni Creator Spiritus. Susan and Scot agreed that the criteria listed by Cardinal Seán as the necessary qualities for the next Pope are held by Cardinal Seán himself and many of the other American Cardinals. On the question of whether we should speculate or have favorites, Greg said we can't help but do that. Especially since Pope Benedict has not died, so there's no sense that it's all morbid and too soon. He said our hopes for who the next Pope should be or what he is to be need to be tempered so we can be open to who the Holy Spirit selects. Fr. Roger said we should have as intelligent a conversation at our level as the cardinals will be doing. They will not engage in tokenism, asking for someone who fits some broad description. Instead they will choose the man. Scot said Fr. Roger in his column that there were three things particularly striking to him: The first is that it seems that it was not his decision, but the Lord's. He began his shocking statement to the Cardinals by declaring, “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrina ministry.” Pope Benedict has long called conscience an “organ of sensitivity” to the voice of God indicating to us what to do or avoid. While the judgments of conscience can always be erroneous, Pope Benedict has been tuning his “organ” for so long and fighting against false ideas of conscience that it is highly unlikely that he would be hearing the Lord say “go” when the Lord was in fact stressing “continue on.” So his decision to resign does not seem to be the “no” of someone who wants to quit the burdens of the papacy but one more “yes” in a lifetime of faithful fiats to what the Lord has asked of him. Next, by his decision Pope Benedict gave us perhaps his most powerful lesson about the importance of prayer. He finished his statement mentioning that he would “devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer,” carried out in a monastery on Vatican grounds. Throughout his papacy in his catecheses on prayer over the last two years as well as in many talks to priests, seminarians, religious and faithful, he has repeatedly stated that the most important thing we do as Christians for God and others is to pray. By resigning the papacy in order to continue to serve the Church devotedly through prayer is to declare that he believes the work of prayer is even more important than the ministry of the papacy. And if prayer is even more important than the work of the successor of St. Peter, then it's hard to argue that any other ministry in the Church - or any other human work - is more important than prayer either. There's probably been no greater illustration of the lesson Jesus taught Martha and Mary in Bethany than this. It was said that perhaps John Paul ll's greatest teaching of all was his proclamation of the Gospel of redemptive suffering over the last years of his life. I anticipate that the primacy of prayer - which means the primacy of God's action in us - may become the lasting lesson of the final years God grants Pope Benedict. The last item about his statement that stuck out to me was his reminder to all of us that the “Supreme Pastor” of the Church is Christ, not his earthly vicar. While Popes may come and go, the Good Shepherd will never have an interregnum. For Pope Benedict, in his preaching, in his celebration of the sacraments, and in his bearing, he was always focused on Jesus, not on himself. At World Youth Days, for example, he intentionally took the focus off of the Pope and had millions of young people drop to their knees with him in humble adoration of the Lord in the Eucharist. Scot asked Greg how they will cover the Conclave. He said it's completely uncharted territory and they don't know yet. They also don't know how they will cover and deal with Pope Benedict's continuing life after the papacy. It's all uncharted territory.

Renowned film critics Susan Granger and John P. McCarthy join Movie Addict HQ for a discussion of the Best Films of 2012. Will any of your favorites make their top ten lists? Susan was a child actress who appeared in movies with such stars as Red Skelton and Lucille Ball. Her critiques have been published in numerous outlets including The New York Times, Cinemag and Playboy. John has written movie reviews for scores of newspapers across the country and also contributes film criticism to Boxoffice.com, America magazine and the Catholic News Service.   

Today's guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of The Pilot, the newspaper of the Boston archdiocese Links from today's show: Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today's topics: Lent begins; fasting; new cardinals; Catholic Press Month; local news Summary of today's show: Scot Landry and Susan Abbott sit with Greg Tracy during Thursday's news roundup while Fr. Roger Landry flies to the Holy Land. The beginning of Lent is the big story of the week, including free fasting bread from a local baker, as well as the consistory that created 22 new cardinals, including two from the US; Msgr. James Moroney's new column on the Mass prayers for Lent; a behind-the-scenes look at how The Anchor comes together each week; and more local news. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Susan to the show on the second day of Lent. Scot said Susan is preparing for the Catechetical Congress on March 24 at Boston College High School. They have a couple dozen workshops planned in English plus more in Spanish and Portuguese. There will be hundreds of attendees. Scot said today is Fr. Roger Landry's birthday and thus Susan said it is also Scot's birthday. Scot said Fr. Roger is leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Scot's wife and son are on the trip along with Scot and Fr. Roger's parents. They left for the Holy Land today. Scot said Fr. Edward O'Flaherty, the director of the office for ecumenical affairs, died this week. He and Susan worked very closely over the past 10 years. Scot said he'd been sick for several months. 2nd segment: Scot and Susan welcome Greg to the show today. Scot said the big news this week is the beginning of Lent. They discussed their Lenten resolutions. Greg said he is giving up fresh-baked bread for Lent. In his house, they have fresh bread four or five days a week in his house. Susan said she gave up Diet Coke for Lent last year and never went back to it. She went from 32 ounces per day to one or two cans per week. Scot said the Pilot has a front-page story on Andy LaVallee of LaVallee's Bakery Distributors, who we had on The Good Catholic Life, going more in-depth on the fasting breads that his company is providing free of charge this Lent. These are breads that are all-natural and more nutritious so that people don't become more hungry while fasting. Most breads make you more hungry, making fasting more difficult, whereas these breads satisfy. It's a great story of a Catholic businessman seeing some aspect of the faith and taking it to the next level, using his business to help people live their faith. Scot then discussed Pope Benedict's remarks on Ash Wednesday about Lent being tied to Jesus' 40 days in the desert and Israel's 40 years in the desert. Susan recalled the Gospel passage in which the angels ministered to Jesus at the end of the temptations in the desert and the Holy Father says the angels are there to minister to us as well. New in the Pilot is a column by Msgr. James Moroney, who will be rector of St. John Seminary in July, in which he writes about the new prayers of the Liturgy. This week is the opening prayer for the First Sunday of Lent. Greg said Msgr. Thomas McDonald used to do a similar column some years ago, until he passed away. They hope to do this during Lent and Advent. Scot said he's heard priests say that they are glad that the new prayers bring back the treasures of the Liturgy that we haven't had for so long. Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects Susan quoted from the column: The observances of holy Lent are just such outward signs: for when I fast from food and from vengeance and from anger and from hate, I grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ: Christ who graciously showers me with mercy and peace and love. The observances of holy Lent are outward signs. When I go to the Stations of the Cross on Friday night, or to confession on Saturday afternoon, when I pray an extra fifteen minutes at the end of each day, I grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ: Christ who fills my heart with his hope and strength and a clear vision of his love for me. 3rd segment: Scot said last Saturday Pope Benedict XVI made 22 new cardinals, including two from the United States and one from Canada. They discussed why the Catholic News Service lumps together Canadian and American news, i.e. “The Pope created three cardinals from the US and Canada.” Greg said Catholic News Service is also used in many Canadian Catholic newspapers so they have tried to broaden their coverage. Scot said much of the coverage focused on Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. In a great honor for Cardinal Dolan, he was asked to give a keynote address to all of the cardinals of the world the day before the consistory. A lot of the secular press asked whether that made Cardinal Dolan high on the list as papabile. He told a reporter that what he really aspires to is becoming a saint. “As grateful as I am for being a cardinal,” he told reporters later, “I really want to be a saint. I mean that, but I have a long way to go.” Susan noted that both Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, grandmaster of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and former archbishop of Baltimore, stressed in their remarks that this is not a personal honor, but a call to greater service to the Church. Scot said the Holy Father told the cardinals that they also have to be prepared for martyrdom, giving their lives for the faith. 4th segment: Scot said the Anchor this week celebrates Catholic Press Month by providing a front-page story about how the newspaper is produced behind the scenes. It shows how much work goes into making a 24-page paper every week. Susan said when she was in college she worked as a copy editor at the Boston Globe on weekends and find it hasn't changed much since then. Greg found it enlightening to see how others do the same work and to see how similar their work is. Scot said the Anchor goes to press on Tuesday afternoon and they get started on the next week's paper the next day. Greg said the Pilot goes to press on Wednesday between 5 and 6pm and drops in the mail by 10 or 11am on Thursday so it arrives in parishes on Saturday. He said Wednesdays are difficult days. Putting the paper together is like fitting pieces of a puzzle and by Wednesday you have to start fitting things in every little space. Scot said about 1/3 of the paper is local news, 1/3 is advertising, and about 1/3 comes from Catholic news services. Greg added that the number of pages of the newspaper comes from the amount of advertising, which leaves you the “news hole” to fill. He said local content comes from news stories and opinion pieces and columns. They are often asked to give more local content, but they also have a mission to help the people in the archdiocese get exposed to Catholic news beyond the borders of the Archdiocese. A recent study shows that the only Catholic publication that most Catholics see is their diocesan newspaper. The panel discussed the life and death and service of Fr. William Burckhart. Greg noted an anecdote that Fr. Burckhart and his sister were the impetus behind the change in Massachusetts from handicapped license plates to handicapped placards, which allows the person to park in a handicapped space whatever car they are in. Scot mentioned the announcement of new appointments of two pastors. Fr. Edward Doughty will become Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Medford, effective March 1, and Fr. Mark Ballard will become Pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Melrose. Also in the Anchor this week is a profile of the “Catholicism” TV and DVD series by Fr. Robert Barron, which Scot called the greatest long form presentation of the faith in broadcast media.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Fr. Roger Landry, executive editor of The Anchor, the newspaper of the Fall River diocese; and Gregory Tracy, managing editor of The Pilot, the newspaper of the Boston archdiocese * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. **Today's topics:** Archbishop Sambi dies; Cardinal O'Connell moves; the Orange Crystal Cathedral **Summary of today's show:** Our usual Thursday panel discussed the news of the week, including the unexpected death of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States; the reinterment of the remains of Cardinal William O'Connell on the grounds of St. John Seminary; the Dicoese of Orange's bid to buy the famed Crystal Cathedral; and more. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed Susan to show and she related her work week. On Monday she took the day off and went to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. Next week Susan joins with her counterparts in diocesan religious education in Springfield next week. Scot said we'll talk about the death of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Pope's representative to the United States, who was in Boston a couple of months ago at the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary. **2nd segment:** The apostolic nuncio has two essential roles: To be the pope's diplomatic representative to the US government and to be the Pope's voice on world affairs in Washington, DC; and to be part of the selection of new bishops of the United States. He surveys dioceses' for their needs and polls bishops for lists of capable priests. He then prepares a ranked list of candidates to the Congregation for the Bishops in Rome. Fr. Roger said Archbishop Sambi has been known in the US for cutting down the wait down for a new bishop to be appointed. Previously it would take two years or more for a new bishop. Archbishop Sambi cut that down in manby cases to less than a half year. * ["Archbishop Sambi, US nuncio since early 2006, dies at age 73", Catholic News Service (7/28/11)](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102991.htm) * ["Dolan: US church had 'highest respect, deepest affection' for nuncio", CNS (7/28/11)](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102989.htm) Fr. Roger said he was a man of great joy whose joy came from knowing Jesus personally. Scot then introduced Archbishop Sambi's words to the Redemptoris Mater fundraising dinner about Cardinal Seán. Susan read Cardinal Seán's statement on the death of Archbishop Sambi: >“Archbishop Pietro Sambi represented the Holy Father with distinction and great skill through his service as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. He was an engaging and dedicated leader who had great love for a deep commitment to the Catholic faithful of our country. The Archbishop was a good and holy man and he will be greatly missed. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother we pray for Archbishop Sambi, that he be welcomed to eternal life with our Heavenly Father." Scot said Greg had time to spend with the Archbishop at the Redemptoris Mater dinner. His impressions of the archbishop were that he possessed a lot of diplomatic skills; he immediately made a connection with people he met. He was greatly loved and there are so many people issuing statements about how beloved he was. The Archbishop had lung surgery several weeks ago. It had also been rumored that he was going to be getting a new assignment in Italy, but on July 26, his office put out a request for prayers and then he died last evening. Fr. Roger said the Archbishop set a new standard for the interaction of a nuncio with the bishops of a country. Normally, the address of the nuncio at a bishops' conference meeting are pro forma and somewhat vaguely worded, but when Archbishop Sambi spoke at the bishops' conference or at installations of bishop, he had something to say that deserved to be heard and that made bishops pay attention. His ongoing legacy will be in the bishops he helped elevate in the episcopacy, especially among the young priests they cultivated for higher office in the Church. His model for new bishops was to select pastors for dioceses other than their own. In the past, the new bishops were often priests who worked in chanceries or were bishops' secretaries. But his most lasting legacy will be all the Masses he celebrated and sacraments he performed. **3rd segment:** Yesterday, the archdiocese announced that the remains of William Cardinal O'Connell had been moved and reinterred from the grounds of the former chancery to the grounds of the seminary. His will when he died was that he hoped to be close to the seminary. As part of the sale of the chancery property to Boston College, the college had asked the archdiocese to work with the Cardinal's family to have the remains moved to a suitable place. Over the last week, his remains were moved from a hill to the courtyard at St. John's Seminary close to the entrance to the chapel in the seminary. Cardinal O'Connell built that seminary and the cardinal's residence as a way of showing that Irish Catholics had really arrived in Boston. * ["For cardinal, a new final resting place", Boston Globe (7/28/11)](http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/28/a_new_final_resting_place_for_bostons_first_cardinal/) Greg said it's been a contentious process over quite a long time. the property that the mausoleum was on wasn't obviously a final resting place of a cardinal. But when  Cardinal Seán sold his own residence and the grounds of the chancery to Boston College, the college stipulated that the body should be moved. At first it was proposed to move him to the grounds of St. Sebastian's school, which he helped found in Needham. But the family wanted to stay true to his wishes to stay close to the seminary. Public ceremonies surrounding the interment are planned for later. Scot noted that mausoleum wasn't well visited and it wasn't in good shape near the end. The cardinal has got his wish to be near the seminary. During the cardinal's tenure, the Archdiocese experienced massive expansion of religious, priests, and parishes. The Catholic Church came into its own in Boston. Fr. Roger said his legacy is that he fought hard for Catholics to receive their civil rights in Boston and was one of the most consequential Catholic statesman in the 20th century. He was also a the rector of the Pontifical North American College and returning to the US helped fight the unique heresy of Americanism which held  that we didn't need God's help.  Fr. Roger said he often prayed for Cardinal O'Connell when he was the seminary, because of stories that the cardinal also had some scandal surrounding his governance of the Church in Boston. Another story in the Pilot this week is a story about Sr. Alice Gagne, 92 years old, who was among 13 siblings, five of whom were in the same religious order, the Gray Nun order. Greg said the sisters have a tradition of a wake that is a time of remembrance and reflection on her life. At the wake, a copy of the order's constitution, a crucifix, and red rose were placed on the casket, in keeping with the Grey Nun traditions. The constitutions signifies their way of life, the cross reflects the reality of life's burdens, and the rose represents service performed with love. Greg said the French Canadian family emigrated to Woonsocket, RI and raised the children with joy and with a love for Christ. Fr. Roger said the story makes him think of St. Therese of Lisieux, whose own family gave five daughters to religious life. The inheritance of the Gagne family must be great in heaven. **4th segment:** Scot said it was announced this week that the Diocese of Orange in Southern California, the seventh-largest in the United States, made a $50 million bid for the Crystal Cathedral complex that had been built by television preacher Dr. Robert Schuller. Scot he recalls from his youth seeing it on TV occasionally and thinking of what a beautiful building it is. * ["Orange Diocese bids $50 million to buy Crystal Cathedral complex", CNS (7/26/11)](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com/article.asp?ID=13596) Scot said some folks are asking why we're building a Protestant church. Others don't like the look of it, that it isn't traditional. The reality is that the diocese needs a new cathedral in a fast-growing Church. A new cathedral in the US costs upwards of $100 million or more so this would not be a bad deal at $50 million. Susan said the story fascinates her , but she tends to be a bit more traditional when it comes to worship spaces. She said the story of Crystal Cathedral Ministries is interesting and the story of how the church was built on the location of a drive-in theatre. The building has 10,000 pieces of glass, can seat 2,700 and can accommodate up to 1,000 musicians. Greg thinks it does make for a grand and open space that allows one to see all of nature surrounding, even though it may not be his own cup of tea. Fr. Roger said the renovations to make it suitable for Catholic worship would be important. He noted that the early Church often took the pagan buildings of Rome and converted them for Catholic worship. The Church has always converted buildings for use in celebrating the sacraments. He said the Crystal Cathedral is already a destination for people to see and now they would be able to visit with Jesus inside. It is a munificent building, which means it's a spectacular work for the glory of God. Finally, it is a symbol of the transparency which is a virtue that people wish for the Church these days.  Scot also noted that it comes with a lot of land that could be developed for a lot of good purposes for the Church in Orange. **5th segment:** Scot introduced the "lightning round" by asking Greg about which article he wanted to point out. He likes the article on how Pope Benedict has advocated the benefit of silence and solemnity at World Youth Day. In the past it has often become like a rock concert, based on an idea that young people always want high energy. Yet young people often want a time of prayer and adoration of Christ. * ["US Bishops named to lead WYD English-language catechetical sessions", CNS (7/26/11)](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com/article.asp?ID=13597) Susan liked the story about the eight US bishops named to lead World Youth Day catechetical sessions, including Cardinal Seán. She said it ties in with what Greg said about silence, and how Cardinal Seán often says we live in an age addicted to entertainment. Cardinal Seán has a sense of the busyness of the world. He will speak on the gift of our Catholic faith, how to build a relationship with Christ, and how each of us is called to a mission. Fr. Roger pointed out the Pope's words on the terrible violence in Norway this past week. The Pope said we have to build a world which abandons the path of violence in order to score some political points. Scot noted a story a new uniform payroll and pension system for the whole archdiocese, including parishes, saves nearly every parish money and provides a real 401k for employees in the archdiocese.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Fr. Roger Landry, executive editor of The Anchor, the newspaper of the Fall River diocese; and Gregory Tracy, managing editor of The Pilot, the newspaper of the Boston archdiocese * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. **Today's topics:** Decision on 8 closed churches, South Sudan, Church teaching on chastity **Summary of today's show:** Fr. Roger and Greg discuss with Scot and Susan the news of the week, including Cardinal Seán's decision on the future of 8 closed churches; the struggles of the Church in the new nation of South Sudan; the Church's teaching on chastity, especially for those with same-sex attraction; new vicars forane for the archdiocese; and more. **1st segment:** Scot told Susan that there is big news in the Archdiocese today with Cardinal Seán making a decision on the fate of eight closed churches. Susan noted that today is the Feast of Bl. Kateri as well as Bastille Day. Scot noted that on yesterday we learned that today is also the Feast of St. Camillus. She also was at CatholicTV this week taping a show with Msgr. James Moroney on liturgy. cot said Msgr. Moroney is one of the world's experts on Catholic liturgy and is teaching at St. John Seminary. He is in high demand to educate people on the upcoming changes to the Roman Missal this Advent. Scot said the Pilot is back this week from its two week hiatus. **2nd segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Roger and Gregory back to the show. He said Cardinal Seán has announced his decision on eight churches that had appealed closure. Six are being relegated to profane uses and two others for new uses (St. Therese and St. Jeremiah).  * ["Cardinal Makes Decisions on Future of Eight Closed Churches," Official statement](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=20960) * St. James the Great, Wellesley * St. Jeanne D'Arc, Lowell * Star of the Sea, Quincy * Our Lady of Lourdes, Revere * St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Scituate * Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, East Boston * St. Therese, Everett * St. Jeremiah, Framingham Greg said relegation to profane use, but not sordid use. Profane use means not set aside for sacred use; a use other than sacred worship. It clears the way to sell or transfer the property for other purpose. The Planning Office for Urban Affairs, for example, has converted some closed churches to affordable housing. St. Therese will become an oratory of St. Anthony in Everett for use by the Brazilian community. In canon law, a church is a public place open to all; a chapel is a private place of worship; and an oratory is designated for a particular group of Catholics and anyone who is a member of that group are welcome to use the oratory. Fr. Roger added the category of the shrine, which is like a church but doesn't have similar rights in canon law to a church.  The pastor of St. Anthony had made a request to the Archdiocese, saying that he had too many Masses each weekend in one church building and needed another. The Brazilian community has grown large enough to warrant another building, but they didn't want the extra overhead of a separate parish, with the need for a parish staff and all the separate issues. Susan asked what a rectorate is. Greg said a rectorate is essentially a parish, except it's under the direct authority of the bishop and not a pastor. In a cathedral, the bishops it the pastor and he appoints a rector to run the cathedral parish. It means that the rectorate doesn't have the same right in canon law that a parish does. Scot said it's big news because many of these churches have had vigils in place since they were closed during Reconfiguration in 2004-2005 with many contentious appeals to re-open the churches. He noted that the parishes have already been canonically suppressed or closed. The church is not synonymous with the parish. The church building's disposition is now being decided. Scot said the funds from any sales of property will go to the archdiocese for the use of any parishes in need. Susan said the sacred objects from the churches will first be offered to welcoming parishes and then to other Catholic parishes. She noted that the stained glass windows in the Bethany Chapel of the Pastoral Center contain many stained glass windows from closed churches. Scot said Cardinal Seán said maintaining these buildings were drawing needed resources from other parishes.  >What I have heard from these consultations is that we have reached a point as a community of believers where we must relegate these Church buildings as part of the continuing healing and rebuilding of the Archdiocese. I continue to put my trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ to help us come together as one Catholic family, inspired by the Holy Spirit and guided in our principles and commitment to do God's work. Fr. Roger said the Church has a high standard for the use of sacred buildings because God has been present there in the Eucharist and the worship of God has taken place there. He noted that in other places where it wasn't taken seriously one church was used as a restaurant and then later turned into a place of ill repute. He said the Church isn't taking the sacrifices of those who built the churches lightly. He said the Vatican takes seriously the decision to relegate to profane use. It can't just be to save money or help with organizational matters. It must go beyond to grave reasons. These buildings are holy ground. Scot said Cardinal Seán made the consultation on the churches available to everyone in the Church. He said it's the first time any diocese used an electronic survey to receive responses from people and there were about 400-500 responses for the eight churches. Greg said the Vatican has recently turned its attention to the question of the relegation of churches in other places in the country where there have been closures. In most cases the Vatican has upheld the right of a bishop to suppress a parish, but has taken a more conservative stance on the relegation of churches. He thinks this was kept in mind in the making of this decision in Boston. **3rd segment:** Scot said a big story in the worldwide Catholic Church was the independence day for the new nation of South Sudan on July 9. About 80% of the country are Catholic. The people of South Sudan had suffered great persecution over decades by the Islamic majority in the north.  * ["Catholic officials: People of South Sudan will need patience," CNS, 7/11/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102743.htm) * [Fr. Landry's column in his parish bulletin about Fr. Vicentio from South Sudan](http://www.saintanthonynewbedford.com/bulletins/SANB%2007.17.2011.pdf) * ["Independence Day in South Sudan," by Tony Magliano](http://paxchristiusa.org/2011/07/11/sudan-independence-day-in-south-sudan/) This week, Fr. Roger has a priest from the Archdiocese of Juba in South Sudan to preach at his parish. He wrote a letter to the parish and said the Church in that country is at a crossroads. In a country the size of New England, they have just 20 miles of roads. Most of their churches, seminaries, and schools need to be rebuilt. The country needs police departments founded and they need an army to defend their borders. In order for there to be real forgiveness, they need much support. He has suggested to the missionary from Sudan that he preach on what it takes for his people just to get to Mass. Many of them would have to walk 20 miles each way to Mass and they would travel at night to avoid being waylaid by soldiers from Khartoum in the north. They wanted more rosaries so if they were killed on the road their last words would be the Hail Mary. Their Mass would last for hours and hours because it might be the last time they would get together in prayer. They need not just our prayers, but also our financial assistance. Fr. Roger suggested sending a donation to Catholic Relief Services with a memo marking it for use in South Sudan. Fr. Juba wrote in his letter: >Our people are desperate. They have lost everything and are unable to help themselves. Many, particularly the most vulnerable children and the elderly, are dying daily from starvation and curable diseases. We in the Church are the hope for our people. Our clergy, religious catechists and lay leaders are fighting against all odds to keep the flames of faith burning in our country. While burying the dead, supporting the survivors, sheltering the displaced, healing the wounded and broken-hearted, and feeding the orphans and displaced children, widows and the elderly, we continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ vigorously, build the Church and consolidate faith in our country.  >  >We need your help to continue to keep hope alive among our traumatized people. I am therefore appealing to you, our brothers and sisters in faith, to help us in our struggle for survival. Thank you in advance for standing in solidarity with us in our time of need. May our Risen Savior Jesus Christ bless you with the fullness of grace, peace and health! Susan said she was moved by the live broadcasts from South Sudan during independence celebrations, hearing the jubilation of the people in the streets. She was also pleased the Ken Hackett, the retiring president of Catholic Relief Services, was representing Catholics in the US there. (She noted that Hackett was a parishioner at St. Theresa's in West Roxbury.) Fr. Roger said it will take a long time for the Church there to build up its institutions and so he encourages all to make a long-term commitment of prayer and financial resources to South Sudan. He said the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church and they have bled very much there. He expects in the future to have many clergy and religious to come from there. **4th segment:** Scot said Fr. Roger has published his third in a series of editorials in The Anchor on topics related to issues brought up by controversy at St. Cecilia in Boston, which held a Mass devoted to welcoming homosexuals into the Church. * [Fr. Roger's third in a series of editorials on issues raised by situation at St. Cecilia's in Boston](http://catholicpreaching.com/index.php?content=articles&articles=20110715anchor) Fr. Roger's editorial said all are called to chastity in the Church: married, single, priests & religious, and those with same-sex attraction. Fr. Roger said chastity is often confusing to people because they confuse chastity and continence, which is the same as abstinence. He said that chastity is tied to piety as preached by Pope John Paul II. >Piety is the habit that helps us to revere others according to their true dignity, according to the image of God in them. St. Paul wrote to husbands and wives, “Be subordinate to each other out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21, calling them to recognize and revere Christ in each other and mutually lay down their lives for each other out of love for the Lord they recognize dwelling in the other. Linked to piety, chastity helps us to see the other as sacred subject instead of a sexual object, to treat the other with reverence rather than randiness.  Susan said t he archdiocese has an office for Respect Life Education that teaches chastity in schools and religious education. Many parishes are adopting a course on theology of the body adapted for teens. Fr. Roger quotes Pope John Paul's theology of the body quite a bit in his editorial. >Blessed Pope John Paul II's insights help us better to see why all of us in the Church, no matter our state of life, are called to chastity.  > >Husbands and wives are called to chastity in their marriage. This means that they reverence the other as a sacred gift, raise their attractions to the level of their spouse's genuine good (including, obviously, the good of the soul) and see the other as created in God's image, fully accepting the paternal meaning of a man's masculinity or the maternal meaning of the woman's femininity, In simple terms, their love is meant to be holy, not horny. Lusting after each other — what Jesus called “adultery in the heart” — is, therefore, a desecration of the other in one's intentions. Fr. Roger said those who are unmarried are to reverence others and never take advantage of others for their own gratification. Such relations should only be following a lifelong commitment. We cannot have a consumerist attitude. >Can those with same-sex attractions truly love each other? Absolutely. The Church by no means is condemning those with same-sex attractions to a loveless life; the question is what practices will be consistent with genuine love and the objective good of the people involved. The Church teaches that those of the same-sex can clearly exercise the love of friendship (philia) in which the other becomes like a second self. The Church teaches that they certainly can — and are called to — have true Christian love (agape) toward each other, a willingness to sacrifice themselves and even die to themselves and their pleasures for the other's true good. But the Church stresses that they need to ensure the romantic attractions (eros)  they have for each other do not damage the one they love by opposing or destroying the love of agape and philia. For this they need chastity, which helps them raise their romantic attractions up to the sacred dignity of the person, which is violated by same-sex sexual activity.   Those of the same sex are able to love one another, but of the type of philia and agape, which are self-sacrificial. If they have this elove, they will realize that reducing the other to their sexual attraction and mutually using each other destroys friendship and self-sacrificial love. They are called to raise their attractions up to the reverence of each other. Same-sex sexual activity is not consistent with this type of love or the good of the soul. * [Courage](http://couragerc.net/) Fr. Roger said an article in the Anchor updates on the past year of the availability of pro-life Choose Life license plates which has raised $90,000. They need to have 3,000 plates total to abide by Mass. Dept of Motor Vehicles requirements and they are only about two-thirds there. It is a great witness for life and raises money for great causes. A benefactor put up a $100,000 bond for the plates and will lose that bond if they do not reach 3,000 plates.  * [Choose Life license plates](http://www.machoose-life.org) Greg said the Cardinal this week has named 20 vicars forane for the Archdiocese. Most people have never heard of the vicariate. The Archdiocese has five regions: Merrimac, South, Central, West, and North. Each of those are divided into four vicariates that cover a couple of towns. The vicar forane is responsible for communication between the bishop and the parishes and visiting the parishes to ensure that sacramental records are being properly maintained and report to the regional bishop. * [List of vicars forane in the Archdiocese of Boston](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/About-The-Archdiocese/Content.aspx?id=11878) Scot said Fr. Dan Sheehan's obituary is in the Pilot this week. He was one of the first priests of the St. James Society in the archdiocese. He said there is also a story about the Vatican asking a retired bishop to visit the Cleveland Diocese where Bishop Robert Lennon is the ordinary, related to the reconfiguration plan there. Bishop Lennon is a former auxiliary bishop and vicar general of Boston. * ["Vatican asks retired US bishop to visit Ohio diocese, assess leadership," Catholic News Service, 7/11/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20110711.htm) The Toledo diocese has asked Catholics not to donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation because of their support for Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research. * ["Toledo bishop asks Catholic groups to suspend support for Komen fund," Catholic News Service, 7/12/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20110712.htm) Bishop Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota is also asking his brother bishops to consider moving confirmation before first communion. This will be discussed in a future show. * ["Bishop Aquila urges sacrament of confirmation before First Eucharist," by Kevin J. Jones, Catholic News Agency](http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishop-aquila-urges-sacrament-of-confirmation-before-first-eucharist/)

**Listen to the show:** [Subscribe for free in iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-catholic-life/id425362545) **Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Antonio Enrique, Editor of The Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, Executive Editor of The Anchor, the newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. **Today's topics:** Pope Benedict's 60th anniversary of ordination, he launches a Vatican news website with a tweet, and appoints a new archbishop of Milan; Fr. Roger's editorial on the Church's pastoral care of those with same-sex attraction; the US bishops issue a document on assisted suicide **Summary of today's show:** Scot and Susan are joined by Fr. Roger Landry and Antonio Enrique to discuss the news of the week, including Pope Benedict's 60 years as a priest; an historic papal tweet to launch a new website; a significant appointment of an archbishop; Fr. Roger's editorial on what being "welcoming" really means; and the US bishops' new policy on assisted suicide. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed Susan back to the show. They noted that Cardinal Seán gave Pastoral Center employees Friday off for the long weeked. The end of June is busy at the Pastoral Center to end the fiscal year and finish programs before the height of the summer period.  This week, because the Pilot is on its two-week hiatus, news stories are from the Anchor and from Catholic News Service. Also, Greg Tracy is on vacation so his boss, Antonio Enrique, is here in his place. **2nd segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Roger and Antonio to the show. Scot said it's great to have Antonio to have on the show finally. He's been the editor of the Pilot for 10 years. His first week was the week of September 11, 2001. The newspaper's offices were downtown in Boston. It was quite a hectic time as they reported on the events in relation to the Church.  One of the big stories this week was Pope Benedict celebrating his 60th year as a priest. He gave a homily as the Mass of Sts. Peter and Paul where reflected on his 60 years. Fr. Roger celebrated his 12th anniversary on Sunday and he can't imagine how rich the experience of 5 times that many years would be. The Pope almost never preaches on the first person singular in his homilies. He recalls being frightened at his ordination when he realized Jesus would be using his own very being to forgive sins and bring the Body of Christ to others, that he was immersed in wonderment at being a priest and this continues to today. He also talked about what friendship with the Lord means and led a public examination of conscience by asking us whether we make the commitment back to Jesus that Jesus makes to us. He also applied the image of how great wine is made with sunshine and rain and crushing of grapes and fermenting to his own experiences in life of joy and suffering. * ["Pope marks 60 years as a priest, bestows palliums on archbishops," CNS, 6/29/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102591.htm) Scot was struck by the Pope saying that this calling of the priest to friendship with God is "so awe-inspiring that one can feel daunted as the decades go by amid so many experiences of one's own frailty and his inexhaustible goodness," he said. Susan noted that the Holy Father connected the pallium that was being imposed upon new archbishops at the Mass with this Sunday's Gospel on the yoke of Christ.  * ["Papal tweet launches news portal," Zenit, 6/28/11](http://www.zenit.org/article-32956?l=english) * ["Vatican to launch web portal that streamlines print, TV, online news," CNS, 6/27/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102562.htm) * [News.Va](http://www.news.va/en) On Tuesday, Pope Benedict launched a new News site for the Vatican. Antonio said he is happy to see the Vatican embracing the new media, that now everyone is online, not just young people. That the Pope launched the site personally shows the importance he attaches to this. * [The historic Papal tweet](http://twitter.com/#!/news_va_en/status/85740997933404160)   >"Dear Friends, I just launched http://t.co/fVHpS9y Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI" Scot said it was very powerful that the Pope did this on an iPad with a tweet. Susan said we have to give credit to Cardinal Seán for being at the forefront of this. She also noted how the Pope has said he wants to be present wherever the people are found. Fr. Roger said the Vatican is trying to integrate the separate departments in television, radio, a news service, its website, the Fides missionary news agency and more, and you used to need an expert Vaticanologist to find these things. It used to be that when the Pope traveled over the weekend, you didn't read his homilies until Tuesday. Now, the speeches will be available immediately, including PDF copies of L'Osservatore Romano, radio stories, video, and other forms. Pope Benedict for the last several years in his World Day of Communications messages has been calling the whole Church to evangelize in the new media, particularly priests. Pope Benedict is leading the way. * ["Pope names Cardinal Scola to head Archdiocese of Milan," CNS, 6/28/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20110628.htm) The Pope also made a significant appointment in the new archbishop of Milan, one of the five most important dioceses in the world. It's one of the largest dioceses in the world and almost every archbishop of Milan is considered a possibility to become next Pope. Cardinal Angelo Scola was the Patriarch of Venice previously. Antonio said Scola is very forward-looking. He's very interested in Christian-Muslim dialogue. He's been a personal friend of the Holy Father for many years. Antonio said it's significant that Cardinal Scola goes back to Milan. He's from Milan, but wasn't ordained for that archdiocese because the archbishop at the time did not like the Communion and Liberation movement that Cardinal Scola belonged to then. Fr. Roger studied under Cardinal Scola in Rome. He had three courses with him at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family at the Lateran University. He was incredibly brilliant but a terrible teacher, Fr. Roger said. His sentences would go on and on. Yet absolutely brilliant and a tremendous interpreter of the theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar and John Paul II, especially his theology of the body. He's a great theologian in his own right. He's an incredible personal and dynamic man. He always treats others with great attention. **3rd segment:** St. Cecilia Parish in Boston has been in the news lately with regard to a Mass that had been planned for gay pride month in Boston. Fr. Roger wrote an editorial in the Anchor about how the Church cares for those with same-sex attraction. * ["Toward the True Pastoral Care of Those with Same-Sex Attractions," Fr. Roger Landry, The Anchor, 7/1/11](http://catholicpreaching.com/index.php?content=articles&articles=20110701anchor) Fr. Roger wrote that the Church calls for authentic welcome of those with this attraction, but that doesn't mean just making them feel at ease, but offering the great gifts of the sacrament of cleansing through conversion in confession. He said there's been a great calumny against the Church that the Church doesn't love people with same-sex attraction because we ask them to leave the gay culture behind. We're not loving and serving people if we don't offer them the truth and Christ's authentic love. He said one of the issues facing the whole Church is whether so-called welcome Masses really welcome people or encourages dissent from the Church. Antonio said the Church's teaching is clear so it's hard to understand why it's so often misunderstood. The Church welcomes everybody already, but the Church is about conversion, about where we are and where Christ wants us to be, leaving what is wrong and embracing what is right. When we try to say that people don't need to change, we are not encouraging them to embrace Christ, but to continue a destructive lifestyle. Christianity is about happiness, and that happiness is found in being in conformity with the mind and will of Christ. Susan said parishes are already welcoming and open to all who want to come to Christ. But they are also teaching the truths of the Catholic faith, because people have a right to the truths of the faith. Scot said sometimes "welcoming" is used by some people who have an agenda that is in contradiction to the objectives of the Church and the truths of the faith. Fr. Roger said he was moved by someone in a Globe article who said she suffered more for "coming out" as a Catholic than she did for "coming out" as someone with same-sex attraction. Being Catholic is much more likely to result in discrimination in some circles. He said some parishes give a wink and a nod to Catholic teaching and promise that people with unrepentant sin need never worry about being made to feel uncomfortable. **4th segment:** Scot said at their June meeting, the US bishops' conference approved their first document on physician-assisted suicide. * ["Bishops approve first major statement on physician-assisted suicide," CNS, 6/16/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102416.htm) * ["To Live Each Day with Dignity: US Bishops' Policy Statement on Assisted Suicide," USCCB, 6/16/11](http://www.usccb.org/toliveeachday/) Cardinal DiNardo of Houston was the chair of the bishops' pro-life committee and had much to say on the topic. >"With expanded funding from wealthy donors, assisted suicide proponents have renewed their aggressive nationwide campaign through legislation, litigation and public advertising, targeting states they see as most susceptible to their message," the document says. "If they succeed, society will undergo a radical change." It specifically criticizes the former Hemlock Society, "whose very name reminded people of the harsh reality of death by poison," for changing its name to Compassion & Choices. "Plain speaking is needed to strip away this veneer and uncover what is at stake, for this agenda promotes neither free choice nor compassion," the policy statement says. This shows the power of words. They chose a name that gives the impression that they are about life, not about death. Susan said bravo to the bishops for a document that is very much needed. She said she'd recently been to a eugenics exhibit at Harvard University. It shows how the Nazis worked to create an "ideal society". She said assisted suicide is part of that slippery slope. She could picture an argument for ending life "compassionately" in order to save money for causes like books for kids to make it sound good. The head of the  Compassion & Choices responded: "While we respect religious instruction to those of the Catholic faith, we find it unacceptable to impose the teachings of one religion on everyone in a pluralistic society. We believe end-of-life care should follow the patient's values and beliefs, and good medical practice, but not be restricted against the patient's will by Catholic Church doctrine." Cardinal DiNardo responded that true compassion is to bring assistance to people. Also, the Church needs to be in the public square because it's one of the few institutions defending the poor, needy, and suffering against these threats against the dignity of the human person. Society turns people into objects, but the Church upholds people's God-given dignity and right to life. Scot's favorite quote from the document: A society that devalues some human's lives,  by hastening and facilitating their deaths, will ultimately lose their respect for their other rights and freedoms. Fr. Roger said its was encouraging that the language of the document is direct and practical and forthright. Cardinal DiNardo said clearly that if we don't do this, people will die. As we've seen in the Netherlands where assisted suicide is legal, it's not just people at the very end of terminal illness who seek suicide, but even teens who are heartbroken killing themselves under this law. And when we say some lives are less worthy, we can say "your" life is less worthy. We move from voluntary assisted suicide move to "involuntary" assisted suicide and incredible pressure is put to bear on the ill to kill themselves for the convenience of others. The movement for assisted suicide is pushing this issue in many places, including Massachusetts. Fr. Roger encourages all Catholics to read this brief document so they can have informed conversations with family and friends when it come up. Scot's second favorite quote from the document: > The founders of our country declared that each human being has certain inalienable rights that government must protect. It is no accident that they named life before liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Life itself is a basic human good, the condition for enjoying all other goods on this earth. Therefore the right to life is the most basic human right. Other valued rights—the right to vote, to freedom of speech, or to equal protection under law—lose their foundation if life itself can be destroyed with impunity. Also in the Anchor this week is a story about a movement to strip Medicare funding from abortion providers at the state level.  Susan recommended stories on our own Sr. Olga Yaqob, who is starting a new religious order in Boston. Scot said it's uncommon for a bishop to ask a religious sister to start a religious order, as Cardinal Seán has done here. * ["With zeal for humility, she brings a new order to town," Boston Globe, 6/26/11](http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-26/news/29706472_1_new-order-archdiocese-religious-order) * ["Iraqi sister founding religious order to serve Boston's spiritually poor," CNA, 6/23/11](http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/iraqi-sister-founding-religious-order-to-serve-bostons-spiritually-poor/) * ["BU chaplain selected to start new order of nuns," Boston Herald, 6/20/11](http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1346645) Antonio noted that the Pope has advanced several causes for sainthood, including those from his native Spain from the Spanish Civil War. Antonio's own parents and grandparents lived through this time in which people were murdered for their faith, including thousands of priests and religious. He said we cannot forget this because it shows that this can happen anywhere. Spain itself was a very Catholic country that respected people's rights and it all changed so quickly. * ["Pope advances sainthood causes, including priest killed by Nazis," CNS, 6/27/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20110627.htm)

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Gregory Tracy, Managing Editor of The Pilot newspaper, and Father Roger Landry, Executive Editor of The Anchor newspaper.  * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) * Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. **Today's topics:** Ordination of 6 men for Boston on Saturday; new protocols for Extraordinary Rite of the Mass; Vatican, US bishops update on sex abuse crisis; Apostolic Nuncio's remarks in Boston **A summary of today's show:** Scot and Susan take a look at the news of the week with Fr. Roger Landry and Gregory Tracy, including the Apostolic Nuncio's talk in Boston; a report to the US bishops on the causes of the sex abuse crisis; Vatican guidelines to bishops worldwide on the issue; the Vatican's clarification of an instruction encouraging generous allowance of the Extraordinary Rite of the Mass; and Boston's ordination this Saturday of six men for the priesthood. **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Susan back to the show and asked her about her week. She had a meeting with Archdiocese of Boston catechetical leaders in Duxbury yesterday and one in Gloucester today. It's the annual retreat day for catechical leaders in parishes. It's a busy news week including Saturday's ordination, new protocols from the Vatican for the Extraordinary Rite, the Vatican and US bishops continuing to work on the sex abuse crisis, and the Apostolic Nuncio's remarks this Sunday at the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary gala dinner. **2nd segment:** Scot welcomes Fr. Roger and Gregory back to the show. Starting with Archbishop Sambi's remarks at the gala dinner. Gregory said the nuncio was in town the dinner to receive an honor from the seminary. He spoke about vocations, prayer for vocations, Good Shepherd Sunday. He commended Cardinal Sean for his leadership and the Holy Father's regard for the cardinal. He urged Boston to take its place as a preeminent leader in the United States: May Boston recover that position that it had in the Church in the United States, to be the mother, to be the light, to be the Church indicating the future through its engagement to have many vocations." Fr. Roger said the archbishop very sincerely appreciated the support the people in the room were giving to the seminary. Fr. Roger was very inspired as were the people who came with him to the dinner, who are entering the Church on Pentecost. Scot quoted the Archbishop who said that Redemptoris Mater is "at the center of diocesan values and missionary values." He told the seminarians that their house is small, but the hope in this house is great. Then he encouraged the people at the dinner to "help please to enlarge the house and, by doing so, the hope." Gregory said during the reception before the dinner, the Archbishop made the rounds through the room, meeting people, and was very engaged in taking the time to hear their stories. * [Archbishop Pietro Sambi's biography](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_Sambi) * [Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/redemptorismater.aspx) Also recognized at the dinner was local businessman Jack Shaughnessy. He said at the dinner that the future well-being of the Catholic Church depends on thriving seminaries. He said the dinner was an opportunity not to honor himself but to support, promote, and advance the works of the archdiocesan seminaries. * [Jack Shaughnessy](http://www.jackshaughnessy.net) **3rd segment:** The John Jay College of Criminal Justice report tries to help understand what happened in the Church to cause the sexual abuse of minors. Gregory said the study began in 2006. An earlier study looked at the extent of the crisis, but this study tried to determine why it happened and thus figure out how to prevent it from happening again. Fr. Roger said the report argued that there is no single cause for the spike in sexual abuse of minors that began to rise in the late 60s, reached its apex in the 70s and began a dramatic decline in 1985. The secular media picked up on the point that when the sexual revolution hit men who were poorly prepared affectively and emotionally and were caught off-guard by sexual libertinism, that removed certain obstacles for men who were disposed to acting out in this manner. The report ruled out the most commonly advanced explanations, including that this is the direct result of celibacy, that this is caused by priests with same-sex attractions (although Fr. Roger didn't find this part of the report very convincingly). It said that like in society as a whole and in other institutions, there is a series of factors, not just one explanation. Scot said that while some people might not like the methodology or some of the conclusions, it's clear that the bishops are trying here. It's 5 year effort and 150+ page document. Susan said with all due respect to the secular press, you don't get the whole picture when they are your only source for news on this issue. She also pointed out that John Jay is not a Catholic institution, which gives them some credibility. Also, we need to be clear that an explanation is not excuse for what happened. Scot quoted Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York who pointed out that this is a report *to* the bishops, not *from* the bishops to the community at large. Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore said the report does not mitigate the damage of the abuse to the people who were abused. The US, because of the scandal breaking in 2001, is far ahead of many episcopal conferences around the world so the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a letter to all bishops' conference telling that they must submit to the Vatican within the next year a series of protocols that the bishops in those countries will follow to prevent happening in their country what has come to light in places like the United States. The US bishops have already done this. There should be a real care and concern for victims, not looked at as antagonists, but a wounded loved one. There needs to be programs of education and prevention, helping priests to understand victims' suffering and helping people who work in the Church to see the signs of abuse. Priests and religious need training in celibacy and affective sexual maturity. Bishops need to give attention to priests as father and brother; sometimes priests feel like they now need to bring a lawyer when called in by the bishop. In most circumstances, there needs to be cooperation with civil authority; the only exception is in places where the State is already hostile to the Church and trying to injure the Church. The CDF also said review boards and all of that is good, but the buck stops with the diocesan bishop and it's his responsibility to ensure that children are protected and embraced by God's love. Scot said it's hard to think about the right action to take when a priest is accused of sexual abuse, especially since 2002 when the Dallas Charter guidelines encourage remove a priest upon accusation. However, the Vatican's guidelines also emphasize the presumption of innocence. Susan said that unfortunately when a priest is accused unjustly his reputation is ruined and if the priest waits many years to be cleared of wrongdoing it's made worse. Scot said there's no perfect solution here. Scot said to Gregory that it's remarkable that the CDF gave bishops' conferences only one year to get this done. Gregory said one year for a bishops' conference to enact a major policy is lightning speed in the Church. Obviously the Vatican putting a definitive emphasis on this and is perhaps working against the perception that the this is a problem only in other dioceses or other countries, instead of being a universal human problem. Fr. Roger said bishops weren't callous about these matters in the past, but did not act strongly enough. Yet parents know how they would react to hear if one of their own children is being victimized. So the Vatican says that bishops need help from all kinds of experts, but they also need to be the leader on whom the responsibility falls. Only 19 countries' bishops conferences have these guidelines so far. * [The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010](http://usccb.org/mr/causes-and-context.shtml) * ["Vatican orders bishops to draft guidelines to handle sex abuse cases," Catholic News Service, 5/16/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101921.htm) **4th segment:** The Vatican this week also released norm calling for bishops to respond generously to Catholics who seek celebration of the Mass according the Extraordinary or Tridentine rite. Gregory said the Vatican urged dioceses to be generous even for a small group within a parish. Also to help priests be formed so they can celebrate the Mass in that rite and to seek reconciliation for those groups who are divided from the Church over the rites. Scot said the Vatican made it clear that it should be more available and that seminarians should be trained to celebrate the rite. They also clarified some of the original instructions from the document four years ago, including what constitutes a sufficient number, what makes a priest qualified (every priest in good standing with the Church), and that this is not for those who reject the authority of the Holy See. Fr. Roger four years ago made the Tridentine rite available in his parish in Fall River. There was a small group of people and every first Saturday there about 40 people who attend. He wanted to be lovingly obedient to the Holy Father. Fr. Roger said practicing Catholics who love the Tridentine Mass often felt persecuted. He wanted them to recognize that they are loved and embraced in the Church. At his parish, it's a sung Mass. It's been a great experience for him as a priest. In the simplification of the Mass to the New Order, many private prayers of the priest were eliminated and he finds that they keep him focused and he even keeps them in his heart still when celebrating the Novus Ordo because they keep him properly focused. It's impossible for a priest celebrating the old Mass not to know that the consecration is the greatest act ever, in which he is entering Communion with the Trinity and he's bring this gift to the people. Every valid Mass does this, but this is very clear in the old rite. It helps Fr. Roger to enter far more into what he's doing. Fr. Roger thought what was very interesting was that there had been resistance to what the Holy Father had said four years ago. There has been some claim that priests won't know the Latin for the Mass. In some places, priests were tested on their knowledge of Latin, but are never tested on their knowledge of other languages before celebrating Mass in those languages. Susan lived through some of these changes in the Mass. She still has her old St. Joseph Missal with Latin and English and she remembers being appalled at the change. It crumbled her sense of the universality of the Church and the idea that you could go anywhere in the world and hear the same Mass. She grew to love Mass in the vernacular. But she does get offended when she hears that the Latin Mass is more reverent on behalf of all the priests who celebrate Mass in the vernacular every day with reverence. What she connected with was the call to offer the old Mass as a precious treasure to be given to all. Gregory said people often equate the more Catholic culture of society in the 1950s with the Mass itself, but it's not necessarily true that has to do with the Latin Mass. * ["Vatican norms insist on 'generous' approval for use of Tridentine rite," Catholic News Service, 5/13/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101897.htm) * ["Pope's 'reform of the reform' in liturgy to continue, cardinal says," Catholic News Service, 5/16/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101922.htm) * [Universae Ecclesiae](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/ecclsdei/documents/rc_com_ecclsdei_doc_20110430_istr-universae-ecclesiae_en.html) * [Vatican Press Office note on "Universae Ecclesiae"](http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/27408.php?index=27408&po_date=13.05.2011&lang=en#TRADUZIONE IN LINGUA INGLESE) * [Summorum Pontificum](http://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/b16summorumpontificum.htm) Now moving on to talk about the Mass of Ordination at Holy Cross Cathedral this weekend. Six men will be ordained on Saturday at 9am. John D'Arpino will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday at St. Patrick's in Natick at 2pm; Michael Farrell will celebrate his first Mass at St. Charles in Woburn at 2pm; Br. Sean Patrick Hurly, FPO, will celebrate his first Mass at St. Catherine in Little Compton, RI, at noon; Andrew Taegon Kwang Lee will celebrate his first Mass at St. Joseph, Somerville, on Sunday at 11am; Mark Murphy will celebrate his first Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas in Bridgewater on Sunday at 2:30pm; and Carlos Suares will celebrate his first Mass at St. Joseph-St. Lazarus in East Boston at 2pm.  The Pilot this weekend will have a special edition on vocations and the ordination with many great articles as well as a list of all of Boston seminarians and their home parishes. Gregory also spoke about the editorial in The Pilot about the MariaTalks.com website discussed several weeks ago. The taxpayer-funded site is controversial for its promotion of immoral sexual behavior by adolescents and despite the opposition  it remains essentially unchanged. Fr. Roger said The Anchor this week includes an article on the Alpha course which is just beginning in the Fall River diocese, including an organizational meeting at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich on May 25. It's a 10-week Christian course on the basics of the faith. Susan said the Archdiocese of Boston has been involved with Alpha since 2001. It's a wonderful lead-in to RCIA and its good for cradle Catholics who want to learn more about their faith. Another article in the Pilot, there is a profile of the late Fr. William Haley who just died this past week. That will conclude today's presentation of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings and photos of today's show and all previous shows, please visit our website: TheGoodCatholicLife.com. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android device at WQOM.org to listen to the show wherever you may be. We thank our guests Gregory Tracy and Father Roger Landry. For our co-host, Susan Abbott, our Production team of Rick Heil, Anna Johnson, Justin Bell, Dom Bettinelli & George Martell, this is Scot Landry saying thank YOU for listening, God bless you and have a wonderful evening!

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Gregory Tracy, Managing Editor of The Pilot newspaper, and Father Roger Landry, Executive Editor of The Anchor newspaper.  * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) **Today's topics:** Immigration reform, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Benedict on prayer, and more **A summary of today's show:** Scot and Susan talk with Fr. Roger Landry and Gregory Tracy about a Catholic response to the political question of immigration reform; Pope Benedict's advice on how dioceses should approach praying and preparing for vocations; the Holy Father's ongoing catechesis on prayer; and more in the news from The Pilot and The Anchor. **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Susan back to the show. Susan said she enjoyed yesterday's show on adult faith formation and would like to re-visit the topic of the US bishops' document on the subject again on the show some day. She's also getting involved in budget process for her office of Religious Education. The Archdiocese's fiscal year begins on June 1 and all the ministries are preparing plans and budgets for next year. **2nd segment:** Scot and Susan welcome Gregory and Fr. Roger back to the show. President Obama made a speech on May 10 in El Paso, Texas, and released a 34-page blueprint for immigration reform. He emphasized federal responsibility for immigration; to hold employers responsible for hiring illegals, create a system that provides for the demands of employment and family unification, and to hold people in the US illegally accountable for their action before enabling to get them on the right side of the law. * ["Obama launches new push for immigration reform," Catholic News Service, 5/11/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20110511.htm) * ["The Catholic voice in the immigration debate," Fr. Roger Landry, The Anchor, 6/25/10](http://www.anchornews.org/editorial/2010/june_25_2010.php) Gregory said the Church has always had a great interest in immigration reform, ensuring that whatever reforms are made respect human dignity.  Scot said the President accused Republicans of moving the goal posts so that whatever Democrats offer, the Republicans always want more. Republicans shot back that the mission of securing the border has never been accomplished. Susan said we are all descendants of immigrants and need to welcome people, but we also need to be responsible. Sometimes when immigration is discussed, an elitist mindset comes out and that's not who we are as Catholics. The chairman of the US bishops' committee on immigration is Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, who is himself an immigrant. Fr. Roger said Gomez says we are talking here about brothers and sisters in Christ and we need keep that in mind in any conversation about immigration reform. He also says the Church is not a political party and we're not advocating any particular policy, but we're promoting an attitude of respect and welcoming. Archbishop Gomez also said that anti-Hispanic bias is a factor in some of the conversation about reform. Scot said Archbishop Gomez's letter last year said 10 million illegals are in the country, so what we do we do with them. While we have to uphold our laws, we have to ask what is proper and just. From a moral standpoint, he concludes that deporting immigrants is too severe a penalty. He suggests intensive long-term community service. Gregory thinks it's a reasonable suggestion and it's important to remember that this is a question of civil law, not criminal law. Susan quoted a priest from Fall River who said, "If you are baptized, you are home."  Fr. Landry said we have to treat them like human beings rather than treat then like they're doing something horrible by trying to work and feed their kids. This is their experience in New Bedford after the big immigration raid on a Defense Dept. contractor in 2007 that resulted in the arrests of dozens of undocumented aliens. **3rd segment:** Fr. Roger's editorial this week in the Anchor is on the World Day of Vocations, which is this Sunday. This year, the Holy Father's message speaks of the work of dioceses in forming and recruiting vocations. * [Pope Benedict's message of the 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/vocations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20101115_xlviii-vocations_en.html) Fr. Roger said the day normally occurs on Good Shepherd Sunday, which is now the fourth Sunday of Easter. Jesus knew there would always be a vocations crisis, which is why He told us that the harvest is great and the laborers are few. Pope Benedict describes the vitality of a local Church as being seen in the ability to foster vocations. He notes that in certain places vocations are thriving and in others they are sterile.  Pope Benedict said: 1. Pray 2. Train young people a total commitment to Christ and in love 3. Help young people to hear the voice of God in the cacophony of the world 4. Take advantage of every opportunity to promote vocations: in families, in parishes, and in our communities. Fostering vocations starts with forming your children from a young age.  Scot said Cardinal Seán always says that vocations are everyone's business, not just priests or bishops. Susan said our religious education programs promote the call to vocation at all ages. We have to ask the question of the young people we meet because God's voice is being drowned out and so they need to hear from us. One of the best advertisements for vocations is seeing a priest so in love with his ministry. But we have to raise the topic with the young men in our lives. Gregory said vocations don't come from a vacuum. It's particularly important to understand the connectedness to the vocation of marriage. When a couple truly lives the vocation of marriage, their children will see the importance of vocation, whether it be marriage or religious life or priesthood and it's not a foreign concept to them. **4th segment:** In his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Benedict gave the second installment in what will be a long series of catechetical talks on prayer in the Christian life. * [Pope Benedict's message to the General Audience on 5/11/11](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110511_en.html) * ["Prayer reveals Man's need for God, says Pope," Zenit, 5/11/11](http://www.zenit.org/article-32548?l=english) >In our catechesis on Christian prayer, we have seen how prayer is part of the universal human experience. Our own age, marked by secularism, rationalism and an apparent eclipse of God, is showing signs of a renewed religious sense and a recognition of the inadequacy of a purely horizontal, material vision of life. Man is made in the image of God; a desire for God is present in every heart and man in some way knows that he is capable of speaking to God in prayer. Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that prayer is the expression of our desire for God, a desire which is itself God's gift. Prayer is first and foremost a matter of the heart, where we experience God's call and our dependence on his help to transcend our limitations and sinfulness. The posture of kneeling at prayer expresses this acknowledgment of our need and our openness to God's gift of himself in a mysterious encounter of friendship. Let us resolve to pray more frequently, to listen in the silence of our hearts to God's voice, and to grow in union with the God who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, with the One who is infinite Love. Susan recalled St. Augustine's quote: "You have made us for yourself O Lord and our hearts will not rest until they rest in you" and thinks it echoes with Pope Benedict's quote of St. Thomas Aquinas. Gregory was struck by the statement that to really pray is hard work. We have to consciously listen to God. It's hard to set aside prayer time in our busy lives and it's easy to say, "I prayed" with a quick tossed off prayer, but it's hard to set aside time for serious prayer. Fr. Roger said Pope Benedict also said in his audience that man is religious by nature. He is as much homo religiosus (religious man) as he is homo sapiens. To Pray is to feel that meaning in the world is outside the world. The school exists as a school of prayer to teach them to prayer. Prayer is faith in action and sometimes it comes in the least likely of circumstances. An anecdote of a man who said: "Lord, help me I don't know how to pray." The Lord replied, "You are already doing it." Scot highlighted the Pope's further words from the audience: >Man bears within himself a thirst for the infinite," he continued, "a nostalgia for eternity, a search for beauty, a desire for love, a need for light and truth, which drive him toward the Absolute; man bears within himself the desire for God. And man knows, in some way, that he can address himself to God, that he can pray to him." >The Pontiff said that the attraction toward God "is the soul of prayer, which is cloaked in many forms and modalities according to the history, time, moment, grace and finally the sin of each one of those who pray." >He added that prayer is a mindset, and not a "series of practices and formulas." Prayer, he said, is "a way of being before God, rather than carrying out acts of worship or pronouncing words." Other great stores in the Pilot and the Anchor this week: * In the Pilot, Fr. Thomas Morgan passed to the Lord. He had been pastor in Salisbury since the mid-1970s.  * In the Anchor, 75 years after "the Little Rose" died, many people are still working for her canonization. * In the Pilot, Fr. Dick Rieman, priest of Opus Dei, reflects on his personal experience of St. Josemaria Escriva. * Also in the Pilot, more info on [Why Catholic?: Journey Through the Catechism](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/whycatholic.aspx?pid=464)

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Gregory Tracy, Managing Editor of The Pilot newspaper, and Father Roger Landry, Executive Editor of The Anchor newspaper.  * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) **Today's topics:** Catholic reaction to Osama bin Laden's death; wrap-up of Bl. John Paul's beatification; followup on MariaTalks.com; Apostolic Nuncio coming to Boston; Pope Benedict teaching us to pray **A summary of today's show:** Scot, Susan, Gregory, and Fr. Roger consider how Catholics should react to Osama bin Laden's death, then switch gears to give a last look at the beatification of Bl. John Paul. In local news, the Mass. bishops spoke out on a controversial website, but the Governor refuses to act; the Pope's representative the US is coming to Boston; and Pope Benedict begins a new teaching series on prayer. **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Susan. She said last said Sunday a grandson received First Communion and this Saturday a granddaughter will receive First Communion at another parish. Bringing a child to the table of the Lord is best thing a parent can do for a child. For Mother's Day, Scot asked her about her children and grandchildren: She has three daughters and 5 grandchildren locally and a son and another grandchild on the West Coast. **2nd segment:**  * [Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2302-2317: On Just War and Safeguarding Peace](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P81.HTM) * ["What is Just War?," Colin B. Donovan, STL, EWTN.com](http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/just_war.htm) * ["Vatican says bin Laden's death cause for reflection, not rejoicing," John Thavis, Catholic News Service](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101730.htm) Scot welcomes Gregory and Fr. Roger to the show. First thing Monday morning, Scot saw the news about Osama bin Laden and it became clear to him that he wasn't sure how we're supposed to respond as American Catholics. On the one hand, we're happy he was no longer able to hurt innocents, but some of the celebrations seemed out of hand. Fr. Roger said that as a Catholic we're called to love even our enemies. In the case of a mass murderer, it's very hard. In terms of those who want to harm the innocent, all those who have a duty to protect others need to do what's possible to carry out that mission. If bloodless means are insufficient, then legitimate authority may use lethal force. If he had been imprisoned by the US, could he have been able to carry out harm just by his existence. Scot asked Gregory what he thought of the Vatican's statement that "in the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices"? Gregory said it's a question of rejoicing in his death. We can rejoice because the world is safer, but we cross a line when we celebrate the fact that someone had to die. If it's necessary to sue deadly force then so be it, but it's always a regrettable choice. Even Blessed John Paul II used to say that only if there's another reasonable way to make society safe, then death is a possibility. Susan said there was a lot to process in the news. She heard the news on Sunday night after having watched videos on the beatification and it was an odd juxtaposition. She had a sense of relief at the world being safer, but she goes back to Matthew 5:43 in which Christ calls us to love our enemy. Scot reviewed the three conditions for an act within war to be morally justified: >First, the act must be good in itself. The use of force to obtain justice is morally licit in itself. Second, it must be done with a good intention, which as noted earlier must be to correct vice, to restore justice or to restrain evil, and not to inflict evil for its own sake. Thirdly, it must be appropriate in the circumstances. An act which may otherwise be good and well motivated can be sinful by reason of imprudent judgment and execution.  > >In this regard Just War doctrine gives certain conditions for the legitimate exercise of force, all of which must be met: > >"1. the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain; > >2. all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective; > >3. there must be serious prospects of success; > >4. the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition" [CCC 2309]. The other big question of debate on this news has been whether the White House should release the photos of Osama's body. Fr. Roger said an important component of leadership is the virtue of prudence and making good judgment. Some people want photos for absolute proof of Osama's death, but had Obama released the photos it could have poured fire on Muslim sentiments and created violence. On the other hand, if someone wants to think conspiratorially, there's no proof that will ever be sufficient. So it's not clear any good would be done by releasing them and it's very clear that there would be harm. Scot said when we thinks of places where Christians are a persecuted minority, their prayers were answered when the president didn't release the photo. Susan said there would be no good result by releasing the photo. Gregory said he could see where the ground could laid for conspiracy theories and just because you can release a photo doesn't mean you should. He uses that same judgment as a newspaper editor. There's even still people who don't think men have walked on the moon, so it would do nothing useful. Scot said as a Catholic Christian, if we're rejoicing at the world being a safer place, that's good, but if we're rejoicing at our revenge being completed on Osama, that's too much, even though that's a natural human response. Susan said that section in the Gospel of Matthew says we must be perfect as our Father is perfect and we're called to be better than our human inclinations. **3rd segment:**  * ["Crowds pack Vatican for Pope John Paul II's beatification ceremony," The Pilot/CNS, 5/6/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101725.htm) * [Pope Benedict's homily for the beatification Mass](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20110501_beatificazione-gpii_en.html) * ["Cardinal Dziwisz: I must rediscover John Paul II," The Pilot/Zenit, 5/4/11](http://www.zenit.org/article-32439?l=english) Scot said we've talked a lot about the beatification, but it was a magnificent day starting with Saturday night's vigil. Susan said in the Pope's comments, you could the tremendous affection he had for his predecessor. The Pope also talked about Bl. John Paul's prayer life, which seems to be a recurrent theme in all the talk about him. Susan said Bl. John Paul was also a real mensch, a skier, a playwright, someone who worked as a miner, was theologically brilliant, someone we can all emulate. Scot said the cover photo in the Pilot this week of the immense crowd around St. Peter's is one of his favorite photos in the Pilot ever. Gregory said it shows the 1.5 million to 2 million people present. He said the ceremony brought him back to John Paul's funeral in 2005, at which he was present. It brought him back to see Pope Benedict XVI, who celebrated the funeral, to be there celebrating the beatification. The image of the casket inside St. Peter's brought back thoughts of the casket on the steps of the basilica in 2005. He was also moved by Pope Benedict talking about the way that Pope John Paul let suffering into his life. Gregory had been at many of the World Youth Days and remembers chronicling his decline over the years. Pope Benedict said John Paul became more eloquent as he become more ill. Fr. Roger said he woke at 4am on Sunday to watch the beatification and he was struck that he was watching his spiritual father receiving the greatest honor anyone ever can from God Himself. It was one of the most moving moments in his entire life and he rejoiced like he had never rejoiced before. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz told reporters that Pope John Paul's entire life was prayer: >I am asked how many hours the Pope prayed. How many rosaries he said every day. I answer that he prayed with all his life. He always had the rosary with him, but above all he was united to God, a man of God, immersed in God.  > >Though people didn't realize it, he always prayed for those who came to him, after conversations he prayed for the persons with whom he had spoken. The whole day began with prayer, meditation, and ended always with the blessing of his city, Rome. Always, when he could still walk, he went to the window; at the end, when he was very weak, he would ask "lift me" to see Rome again and to bless her. This was always the last gesture of every day to bless the people of Rome, his diocese. Fr. Roger said the cardinal was always a welcoming man as the pope's secretary, who called himself the moon to the Pope's sun. He was clearly someone who loved and admired John Paul very much. Gregory said he was also struck by this interview which spoke to his interior life. In this article, the interviewer asks about a personal memory of John Paul. The cardinal responds: >I must say that I must discover him again. Discover him and perhaps still love him more. He was a man of great spiritual wealth, all that was within him. He rarely opened himself but people felt that something was within him. And today I see the need to discover this spiritual and also intellectual profundity. I esteemed him as a father and now I esteem him as a father and as a blessed. **4th segment:** * [Massachusetts Bishops's statement about state funding of MariaTalks.com](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=20354) * [Fr. Medieros and Fr. de Nigris on The Good Catholic Life, 4/4/11](http://www.thegoodcatholiclife.com/2011/04/04/program-0019-for-monday-april-4-2011/) * [A brief biography of Archbishop Pietro Sambi](http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2005/05-287.shtml) * [Regis College](http://www.regiscollege.edu/) * [Announcement of the appointment of Dr. Antoinette Hays as president of Regis](http://www.regiscollege.edu/about_regis/news.cfm?nid=Antoinette%20Hays%2C%20PhD%2C%20to%20become%20the%2010th%20President%20of%20Regis%20College) Now following up to last week's topic on the MariaTalks.com website. Last Friday, the bishops of Massachusetts issued a statement about the website and outlined five problems with the site: >[...] it promotes an overall message that sexual conduct for unmarried minors is acceptable whenever it “feels right.” Additionally, the website describes abortion in misleadingly opaque terms, touting the procedure as “easier than you think,” and emphasizes ways to obtain an abortion without parental knowledge.  The website fails to acknowledge that many women, especially those undergoing an abortion in their teenage years, suffer long-term negative consequences.  Furthermore, the website limits the list of available resources to organizations that advocate for or provide abortion and contraception. Then end with a powerful comment: >We do not agree that the only choices available are limited to keeping the website running with tax dollars or doing nothing at all to address the problem of teen pregnancy.  The state should work together with all sectors of the community, not just those with a vested interest in offering teens contraception and abortion, to find solutions that respect the dignity of young people and their capacity to make good and wholesome choices. Susan said that as a taxpayer point-of-view spending $100,000 of scarce tax dollars is insane. As a commonwealth, we should be working together for the common good and this website does not. Susan quoted one of the legislators who pointed out that the site doesn't even deal with girls who are victims of abuse, incest, or rape. She said the site sells our kids short. Gregory said Gov. Deval Patrick has said the website will stay up, allowing only modification of content. He referred the Pilot to the Department of Health for comment, which said they were interested in offering medically accurate information, which many critics dispute it offers. Scot said it's clear that they're not interested in hearing any criticism of the website. Fr. Roger wrote in his editorial this week about why they seemed to call this site "Maria" talks. Maria is now the 71st most popular name for girls in America, but when we hear it we think of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the many Hispanic girls from strong Christian families. The choice of "Maria" seems to show they are targeting a specific demographic and some of the content seems to put the girls at odds with the theoretically strongly Catholic parents. It's quite clear that this site is written so that young girls looking at it are persuaded to think like the Aids Action Committee of Massachusetts, not with the values of their parents. Also in The Pilot this week is news that the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States is coming next Sunday to a fundraiser for the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary. Archbishop Pietro Sambi is being honored and is expected to make some remarks. Gregory said the archbishop keeps a fairly low profile, but he's very inspiring and we are graced to have him. Scot said the seminary is one of the three seminaries in Boston, including St. John and Bl. John XXIII (which is for late vocations). Redemptoris Mater has 18 seminarians, which equal roughly 1.3 of Boston's seminarians. Fr. Roger said the nuncio has a dual role when he's sent to a country by the Pope. Firs,t he is essentially the pope's ambassador. Second, within the Church he is the pope's representative to the local Catholic church. One of his duties is to provide the names of potential candidates for becoming bishops. He has a huge impact by prioritizing particular qualities in the priests who are promoted for eventually becoming bishops. Fr. Roger got to know him as a deacon in the Holy Land where Archbishop Sambi was the Apostolic Nuncio to the Holy Land. He is a real mensch with a great sense of humor and is always very inspiring. The gala dinner is also honoring Jack Shaughnessy, who is a wonderful local businessman who has done so much for the Church in Boston and has been a big supporter of the seminaries. The dinner will be on May 15, 5pm at Lantana's in Randolph. For details email [seminary@rmsboston.org](mailto:seminary@rmsboston.org) In more news, Regis College has a new president. The local Catholic college in Weston, Mass., has appointed Dr. Antoinette Hays, who received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Boston College and received her doctorate from Brandeis. She also has a background in fine arts. Susan, who graduated from Regis, said the school's nursing program is relatively new and has taken off. Hays is the second lay leader of the college after her predecessor Dr. Mary Jane England. **5th segment:** * [We Must Learn How to Pray, says Pope](http://www.zenit.org/article-32485?l=english) * [Pope Benedict's remarks at his general audience of May 4, 2011](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110504_en.html) On Wednesday, Pope Benedict launched a new series of catecheses for his weekly general audiences. The topic is on prayer. Fr. Roger thinks this will be one of the more significant teaching plans of the Pope's papacy. Pope Benedict has said that the principal job of the Church in leading people to salvation is to be a school of prayer. One of the greatest privileges in life is to be able to converse with God. We don't know how long this series will go on, but it follows a five-year series he has done on the saints. Now he is embarking on teaching us a pathway to sainthood. Fr. Roger said Pope Benedict will offer the fruit of his 40-years of teaching and study, building on and amplifying what has been written before, plus new raw materials that he will synthesize and present to us. Pope Benedict said yesterday prayer is part of the human experience, not just the Christian experience and that he still hopes to learn more about prayer. Susan said he's modeling for us. Also prayer cannot be taken for granted. Gregory said the Holy Father is saying that in many ways we need to be taught how to pray. Every civilization has prayed, from cavemen on, but in Christ we have been taught to call God our Father. "That will conclude today's presentation of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings and photos of today's show and all previous shows, please visit our website: TheGoodCatholicLife.com. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android device at WQOM.org to listen to the show wherever you may be. We thank our guests Gregory Tracy and Father Roger Landry. For our co-host, Father Susan Abbott, our Production team of Rick Heil, Anna Johnson, Justin Bell, Dom Bettinelli & George Martell, this is Scot Landry saying thank YOU for listening, God bless you and have a great evening!"

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Mark O'Connell**Today's guest(s):** John Monahan, host of CatholicTV's ClearVoice, recounts his journey from Dorchester to local TV news to the new Catholic newsmagazine show; talks about it's like to chase breaking news stories; and he gives tips for being a more effective communicator in business, job interviews, and even for priests giving homilies. Also, the Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. * [John Monahan's biography](http://monahan-communications.com/#/bio/4541336885)* [ClearVoice on CatholicTV](http://www.catholictv.com/ClearVoice.aspx)* [ClearVoice in iCatholic magazine](http://www.catholictv.com/magazine/magazine.aspx?magazineID=65116)**Today's topics:** Former Fox25-Boston TV news reporter John Monahan's journey to CatholicTV's new magazine show, "ClearVoice". Also, this coming Sunday's readings for Mass.**A summary of today's show:** John Monahan, host of CatholicTV's ClearVoice **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Fr. Mark. Scot notes today is Red Sox opening day at home. He suggests listeners turn up WQOM, turn on the TV and turn down the volume there. Fr. Mark went to the funeral of Msgr. Daly, who had served 36 years at the seminary. He was the rector of the seminary when Fr. Mark was there in 1986-1990. He said Cardinal Seán was there as well as 60 priests. Fr. Mark said it was a beautiful turnout.Scot notes that homilist at priests' funerals is a friend of the priest. At this funeral, Msgr. James McCune was the homilist. At the end of priest's funeral, all the priests gather around the casket and sing the Salve Regina as they accompany the casket to the hearse.**2nd segment:** Scot and Fr. Mark welcome John Monahan to the program. Scot notes that John's voice is familiar to CatholicTV and Fox25 viewers. John grew up in Dorchester in St. Brendan's parish and went to BC High School. Studied communications at UMass Amherst. After graduation he worked at Boston University on a half-hour news show for a cable-access news show.He wanted to move to California to pursue his career in broadcast journalism. He brought resume tapes to about 10 stations in California and Oregon. He got a call from a station in Monterey, California. Fr. Mark asked how much John's natural voice opens doors? He said the voice has never been a big part of his success. TV news is so subjective that you can't guess what will grab a station manager's attention. His first job in Monterey was doing the farm report because he looked like he grew up on the farm and a Midwesterner.He never intended to move back to Boston. He had wanted to move up to a larger market than Monterey and had been focusing on Los Angeles and San Francisco. His agent sent out tapes and he happened to get a call from the station manager at WB56. When the manager found out he went to BC High across the street, he had the job. He was there for 3 years, starting out on a morning show. He moved to Fox 25 and was there for 4-1/2 years.Scot asked what his favorite stories were. John said he liked the feature stories, digging down deep and getting to know a person and telling their story. He also loved covering breaking news, the heat of the moment. He covered the infamous "shoe bomber" story, the terrorist on the plane who had tried to blow up the plane and the plane was diverted to Boston. Scot asked what it's like to cover breaking news? Is it competitive or collaborative?He said they want to get the story, but there is collaboration. You help someone else so they're not completely left behind, but you don't put your own story in jeopardy. He loved working in spontaneous situations.Fr. Mark said sometimes when he knows the story, often a reporter will blow up a small kernel into something awful. John said the reporter is always trying to find the conflict in the story, the juxtaposition, to entice the viewer and draw them in. Some stations do this to a greater degree than others. The news used to be more objective, but the competition is so fierce today.You prepare yourself for horrendous situations by preparing yourself and eventually learning to stay somewhat detached. Often there is black humor to help themselves deal with it. Scot asked if there's any kind of post-traumatic stress. John recalls a story about a Christmas tree that caught fire and killed the babysitter and three kids. He can't forget the screams of the mother on hearing what happened.Fr. Mark asked if its hard as a Catholic to cover some of the news that relate to his faith. John said he tries to put the story in its most objective light. You can't control what the anchors say, but he can control the content of the report.**3rd segment:** How did ClearVoice start? John had been talking with Fr. Robert Reed, director of CatholicTV, about the show for a while. ClearVoice is a newsmagazine show. The difference from a news show is that a news show is events of the day. A newsmagazine is more in-depth, more lighthearted, not so much about the current events. They had the CBS Sunday Morning show in mind, in-depth profiles of people and lighthearted segments.They've had 19 shows so far. He was particularly happy with the shows about Christmas time. The March for Life was a big story for them as well. They interviewed former Sen. Rick Santorum recently as well as chastity speaker Jason Evert last week.John is impressed by CatholicTV and its high quality. The environment is much nicer than when he worked in news. They have amazing technology. Their set is a wall of 24 high-definition televisions. You don't see sets like this even in secular stations. It can be one big screen or 24 individual screens or any combination.ClearVoice is aiming at a national market, not just the Boston area. Catholic TV now serves 25% of the United States and 75 cities. It's the second-largest Catholic TV network after EWTN.They get reports from Rome each from [Rome Reports](http://www.romereports.com), [H2O](http://www.h2onews.org) and [Catholic News Service](http://www.catholicnews.com), which CatholicTV has an arrangement with. Kevin NElson, the executive producer of the show, goes through all the content to choose the right stories. They broadcast on Thursday nights.John's co-host is Christine Caswell, who is also a veteran of Boston TV news. They'd known each other as acquaintances in their previous careers. Her day job manages the interns at [Boston University's school of communications](http://www.bu.edu/com/), which is how Fr. Reed got to know her.John hopes that ClearVoice becomes even more relevant to the news that is going on the week of broadcast. He's also looking for more in-depth features. He'd love to have Cardinal Seán on the show. He has a lot of admiration for Archbishop Dolan in New York. But he'd also like to interview regular local people, like the guy who plays the flute at noon Mass at Mission Church.This is the first newsmagazine on any Catholic network in North America. John said it says a lot about CatholicTV and where Fr. Reed wants to take it. It indicates the future growth of the network nationally and internationally.All the recorded shows are available at CatholicTV.com.**4th segment:** John now has his own communications consulting firm where he advises corporations on communications skills. Scot asked what are some of the ways to overcome the fear of public speaking?John said preparation is important. He was in Chicago early in his career and he still nervous about being on-air. He met this anchor who was cool as cucumber on air. When he asked the man how this guy wasn't nervous, and he told John that of course he's nervous. In fact, everyone is nervous, but many people turn that around and turn it into energy and excitement. If you've prepared enough, including practice what you're going to say, you own the words. You write it out by hand to help you remember it.Scot asked what high-level businessmen are asking for help with? John's biggest skill is taking a lot of information and boiling it down to the essential nuggets. He also helps them translate written speeches into a conversational tone and make them into a good narrative. Give it a beginning and an end that reach the same point to bring everything full circle.Fr. Mark asked what makes a good homily as a communicator? John said it's about intertwining a story with the message. Facts alone are difficult to digest, but people remember a story. Fr. Mark said some priests can't land the plane; you think they're ending the homily and then go off again. John said sometimes they don't even know they're doing it. But then keep a phrase or idea in mind so that when you get to that, you know to wrap up and end.Scot said that you have to prepare the close as much as you prepare the open and the content. John said the speaker should finish in a way that people remember what you said.Fr. Mark said he's never begun a homily with "In today's Gospel..." because by the time he says Gospel they're asleep. John agreed that you have to have something memorable to grab their attention.John mostly works with mid- to upper-level management, also sales groups. He also helps train with media management. He recently worked with Stonehill College.He also has tips for communicating during job interviews. Have a beginning, middle, and end. Who are you? What's your background, your skills, your traits? Then offer a summary. And finally anticipate what kind of questions you'll get from the interviewer and practice your answers. Scot noted that many people are humble and shy about talking about themselves so they aren't used to it. John said to find a friend or family member to act out the interview.**5th segment:** Scot and Fr. Mark will look at the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. This the story of Lazarus from the Gospel of John* [Sunday's Mass readings](http://www.usccb.org/nab/041011.shtml): Ez 37:12-14, Ps 130:1-8, Rom 8:8-11, Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45>The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was.Then after this he said to his disciples, +Let us go back to Judea.”>>When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life;  whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”>>He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.”And Jesus wept.  So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”>>So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him,  “Lord, by now there will be a stench;  he has been dead for four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”  So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, >“Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth.>>So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.Scot said the Church wants us to reflect on this just before we attend to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus during Holy Week. John is struck by the faith of Mary and Martha.Fr. Mark said Jesus is weeping because He understands the human experience and pain and suffering. He knows that death hurts those who are left. Scot said he didn't realize before that Jesus was risking His own life going to Bethany. Fr. Mark said we remember Thomas as the doubter, but here he is the one who stands up and says, "Let's go with him to die with Him."The four days in the tomb is significant because of an ancient belief that the soul stayed with the body for three days, so St. John is conveying that Lazarus is really and truly dead.St. John is also recalling the Book of Genesis. God speaks and creation happens. Here the Word of God speaks and He conquers death. His Word is so powerful that something so impossible can happen.It's easy for us to know Jesus is divine, but when Jesus weeps for Lazarus and for the mourners, it reinforces His humanity.Jesus delays and Lazarus dies. So Lazarus' suffering glorifies God and that is a lesson for those who suffer and believes God is delaying.Jesus also challenges Martha if she believes that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. This is a question presented to all of us.

Today, we welcome to the SaintCast, a friend and former high school debate team member, John Allen. You know John as the Senior Vatican correspondent for CNN and as Senior Correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter. He enlightens us on the formal process of canonization as it exists today, managed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Roman Curia. John is the author of many books on Catholic topics, which can be accessed through the links below. SaintCast is mentioned around the world, courtesy of the Catholic News Service - see the link below, and an article in one of Brazil's leading newspapers. We discuss "Cooking with Saints" and "A Doctor at Calvary" in the book segment. And John Paul II is perhaps 2 more miracles closer to being declared a saint, with some speculating it might occur as early as 2008. All this and more on this week's SaintCast.