Morning Briefing
NCR Today: Drones -- time to rethink their use; Black marks on Chicago Jesuits; S.African and Philippine Catholics take gospel to the people -- in malls and on cell phones.
NCR Today
NCR Today is the group blog of NCR. Each member of our diverse team of bloggers writes on different topics, including the politics of the church and secular society (and the interaction between the two), culture, management of the church and more.
Our Father, but not in city council meetings
Not long ago, a friend of mine, Dolly Pomerleau, who lives in Brentwood, Md., told me that the mayor in that small municipality (just northeast of Washington, D.C.) routinely began town council meetings with the Our Father. She was shocked, and so was I.
In a society that forbids the “establishment of religion” and welcomes multiple faith traditions, public prayer – least of all sectarian prayer – has no place at official government meetings at any level.
American elected leader of global Franciscans
An American who previously served as an advisor to the U.S. bishops and for ten years as a missionary to the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been elected the next leader of the main group of the world's Franciscans.
Fr. Michael Perry, who had been serving as the second-in-command for some 15,000 followers of St. Francis of Assisi, was elected as the minister general of the Order of Friars Minor Tuesday.
Anonymous author reveals identity as gay Catholic priest
Father Gary Meier, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has opened up about being a celibate, gay Catholic priest as well as the author behind the anonymous book titled "Hidden Voices: Reflections of a Gay, Catholic Priest" originally published in 2011, soon to be re-released under his name.
Morning Briefing
NCR Today: Wow, lots of news this a.m.! Aussie Anglican bishops resigns for not mismanagement of abuse claims; More on Myers/Fugee; S.African bishops condemn toll roads. And more.
Bishops’ president criticizes Obama over Planned Parenthood
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, has criticized President Barack Obama’s attendance at a gala for Planned Parenthood in April, saying the organization’s focus on women’s health issues is a cover phrase for abortion services.
Writing on his archdiocesan blog Tuesday, Dolan stated that while the president "never mentioned the word ‘abortion’” during his remarks at the gala he “praised Planned Parenthood for their work for ‘women’s health’.”
Catholic nun film critic finds grace at the movies
The headline should read NCR's Catholic nun and film critic finds God's grace at the movies.
Sr. Rose Pacette, our film reviewer, is the subject of an interview with the Arts & Faith page of the Loyola Press website. My favorite quote:
The Mind of Francis: International Diplomacy
Like his two immediate predecessors, Pope Francis has no experience in international diplomacy. In the past, many popes like Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI came from the Vatican diplomatic corps. With many years of service as Vatican diplomats, these popes were comfortable as statesmen with a diplomatic roles. They already knew the Vatican line on international issues, and if they wanted to change it, they did it consciously.
Police evacuate Notre Dame Cathedral after reported suicide
Visitors were evacuated from Notre Dame Cathedral after a man committed suicide in the 850-year-old church, police said.
News agencies reported that the man in his 70s walked up to the main altar and shot himself the afternoon of May 21 as tourists and worshippers were in the church.
France's BFMTV reported the man was writer and essayist Dominique Venner, who was identified as a conservative who was a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage. The news outlet said a suicide note was found next to his body.
Morning Briefing
NCR Today: Catholic Whistleblowers; Gay, Catholic and a Boy Scout; Newark's Fr. Fugee arrested.
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In This Issue
May 24-June 6, 2013
- The paradox of Pope Francis
- Editorial: Questions linger after dynamic sisters' meeting
- [Coming Soon] Name your treasure and pass it on
- [Print Edition Only] Special Section: Family Life
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