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Faith & Parish

Mercy sister president: Arizona Catholic hospital, bishop in discussion

After a report Friday stated that a Catholic hospital in Phoenix had its official status revoked, the Mercy sister said the hospital is in a "good faith discussion" with the bishop.

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Bishops' staffer: 'Lamb of God' changes immediate

The changes to the "Lamb of God" during Mass came about after the Vatican said a 2007 document approved by U.S. bishops conflicted with church law.

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Bishop Bill Morris on reclaiming Vatican II

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By way of the Australian Web site Catholica, edited by Brian Coyne, a talk by Australian Bishop Bill Morris on reclaiming the spirit of Vatican II. You may recall that Morris was sacked in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI, with the help of a secret report fashioned by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia. The investigation of Morris was occasioned in large part by a pastoral letter in which he suggested that, given the priest shortage and subsequent pastoral problems, the church should  discuss other possibilities, including ordaining women.

Seattle's Catholic newspaper to cease; new magazine to take its place

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The Catholic Northwest Progress newspaper of the Seattle archdiocese will publish the last edition of its century-plus history in late June and will be replaced with a monthly magazine scheduled to launch in August.

According to an archdiocesan website report, the yet-unnamed magazine will be mailed at no cost to all registered households in the archdiocese, approximately 150,000.

The newspaper's circulation has declined over the years, currently reaching less than 8 percent of households, the release said.

Sex, scandal and sadness in the Catholic church

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Whether or not Pope Benedict XVI resigned because of a gay-related scandal in the Vatican, there is no doubt that gay sexual scandals among the clergy today are causing the average Catholic, and the average gay man, a great deal of sadness.

The head of the Scottish Catholic church, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, resigned amid allegations he was physically inappropriate with four priests. Msgr. Kevin Wallin is in a Connecticut jail, accused of dealing crystal meth from the rectory, which he allegedly did to pay for his sex and drug addictions.

Students select ‘new pope’ in mock conclave

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Students from St. Louis Catholic School here erupted in cheers as Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson was elected the "new pope" during a mock conclave held at a gym-turned-"Sistine Chapel" March 4.

The "conclave" explained the pope selection process in a tangible way. Middle schoolers acted as cardinals, Swiss Guards, priests, sisters, nurses, reporters and security personnel to re-enact a conclave for the whole school.

Deficit forces layoffs, ministry consolidation in Chicago archdiocese

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The Chicago archdiocese has laid off 60 pastoral center employees and must consolidate some of its agencies because of a deficit in the budget of its administrative operations, according to Cardinal Francis George.

He announced reduction in staff and other changes in his column in the March 3-16 issue of the Catholic New World, the archdiocesan newspaper.

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Baltimore pastor speaks his mind in homily on same-sex marriage

After reading a letter against Maryland's Civil Marriage Protection Act, the priest received a standing ovation for a homily voicing support of same-sex unions.

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Minnesota nonprofit for farmers loses grant for ties to groups opposing marriage bill

The Land Stewardship Project, which assists beginner and rural farmers, lost a $48,000 grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development despite having no position on same-sex marriage.

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Cardinal Burke: Vatican II betrayed by breakdown of church discipline

Abandonment of internal church discipline over the past half century has undermined the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, said one American cardinal at the synod.

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In This Issue

May 24-June 6, 2013

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