Morning Briefing

Dennis Coday | Dec. 26, 2012 NCR Today

NCR's person of the year 2012 shaped politics, nation [1]

Presiding over the Diocese of Stockton, one of the poorest areas of the country, Catholic Bishop Stephen Blaire sees the human costs of poverty every day. But translating the church's outreach to the poor into a political statement on poverty has proven more difficult [2]

Canadian bishops' spokesman who helped organize World Youth Day in Toronto is being accused of producing and distributing child pornography. [3]

Philippines: Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu will not not allow the use of pulpits in his archdiocese in the campaign against lawmakers who voted for the family planning bill [4]. Midterm elections coming in less than five months.

The Vatican said that the Rev. Robert Oliver, the top canon lawyer at the Archdiocese of Boston under Cardinal Sean O'Malley, would be the "promoter of justice" at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [5], the Vatican's doctrinal office that reviews all abuse cases.

Ireland's top Catholic Cardinal oppose legalising abortions [6]

Archbishop of Westminster: attacks Government's 'Orwellian' plans for gay marriage as undemocratic and a 'shambles' [7]

NCR's Christmas Editorial: A search for light amid dark tidings [8]

Michigan -- Flint monsignor, 94, hard at work on Christmas [9]

[10]Looking for an a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:

Pencil Preaching [10] is blog that Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines scripture and sketching to reflect on the word.

Daily Bread [11] is a series short reflections, written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.