19 March AD 2024

FRIDAY EDITION

Abuse Crisis Answer: Stricter Seminary Entrance Standards

In late February, Pope Francis will meet with the heads of bishops’ conferences from around the world to address the clergy sexual abuse crisis. . . ☩ Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap., of Crisis Magazine

Unique from Day One: Pro-Life Is Pro-Science

The main dividing line between pro-life and pro-choice is not which side cares more about women, families, and their basic freedoms. It's how each group applies the scientific facts to determine what constitutes women's rights. ☩ Ana Maria Dumitru of Public Discourse

Time to Re-Point Society’s Moral Compass

It seems as though parents today are facing some of the greatest challenges ever in raising their kids. ☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

The Vatican press office and the first law of good public relations

The much anticipated February summit in Rome must focus on doing the right thing, including taking a realistic look at the issue of homosexuality as a causal factor in clerical sex abuse. ☩ Russell Shaw of The Dispatch at The Catholic World Report

Can the Pastor Set a Minimum Age for Baptism?

☩ Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., of Canon Law Made Easy

Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Religious Tests for Federal Officials

☩ Ed Condon, J.C.L., of Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Amid shutdown, DC Catholic Charities aids furloughed workers

☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Catholic Women Deacons? Why Not?

The Pope’s discussion group on women deacons has met and made some sort of report and of course the feminists have been pushing this envelope for some time. ☩ Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Wuerl Misread the Crisis; Pope Francis Need Not

Pope Francis clearly understands that there is a crisis of credibility in the American episcopate. It is less clear that he understands why. ☩ Stephen P. White of The Catholic Thing

SPSE Evangelizers Know a Thing or Two About Evangelizing

If you’ve ever felt the Holy Spirit urging you to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, you might want to get in touch with the people at St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE). The SPSE evangelizers know a lot about evangelizing. ☩ Gene Van Son of Catholic Stand

Do You Know These 9 Obscure Saints with January Feast Days?

. . .what about the unknown saints, those who slip by unnoticed? Here are nine saints who you may not recognize. Get to know them during the month of January! ☩ Chloe Langr of epicPew

Why the Catholic Church's anti-populist crusade is doomed

. . .what can the Catholic Church now teach us about a global populist movement that may rewrite the direction of political thought in the West? ☩ Edward Morrissey of The Week

The Spiritual Life Is a Constant Beginning & Beginning Again

The spiritual life is not a straight line up the mountain. It is a jagged line, with many ups and downs. Some of those downs are particularly deep valleys, but the ups show us what we are called to do whenever we fall: get back up. ☩ Constance T. Hull of Catholic Exchange

Bloody Religion Versus Bloody Secularism

Invariably when discussing religion and politics, separationists invoke the specter of “religious war” as their argumentative coup de grâce. They’re usually already turning away looking for worthier interlocutors when I respond I’ll accept their measure. . . ☩ James R. Rogers, Ph.D., of Law and Liberty

1973: The APA and the Normalization of Homosexuality

☩ Joseph Sciambra of JosephSciambra.com

Saints Every Catholic Hipster Needs to Know About

☩ Theresa Zoe Williams of epicPew

What the Bible Says About Contraception

☩ J.P. Nunez of Catholic Exchange