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The Deacon's Bench

Over at “Couric & Co.,” I’ve just posted another perspective on the Mother Teresa story, from our (Jewish) legal analyst, Andrew Cohen: Forget law, politics, diplomacy and war. Forget about creepy astronaut lovers and vicious athletes. Is there a more poignant and thought-provoking story this year than the one that emerged finally into such rich…

Most of us have gotten used to the gauntlet of security checks at airports: the metal detectors, the wands, the shoes-in-plastic-crates. But now terrorism experts have pinpointed another hazard: holy water from Lourdes. Yes, that’s right. Reuters has the story: The real miracle would have been getting it past airport security. Inspectors at Tarbes-Lourdes airport…

Since the sex abuse scandal surfaced in the Church in 2002, some observers have taken pains to point out that the Catholic Church isn’t the only offender when it comes to pedophilia. Now, another revered institution which entrusts boys into the care of men is facing some some horrific allegations. And it all sounds sickeningly…

Around the Vatican, angels aren’t the only ones with wings these days. The Holy See has just inaugurated its very own airline, to fly pilgrims to favorite destinations (Lourdes et al.) The New York Times has a write up on the maiden voyage: It already has its own postal service, its own bank and even…

A curious case in Wisconsin seems to have drawn to a close: it involves a complaint filed by a former teacher at a Catholic school, who claims she was fired illegally because she had in vitro fertilization. Evidently, there’s been a settlement. Here’s part of the AP account: Kelly Romenesko had filed a complaint against…

The Lone Star state may have a new star in its galaxy: Jesus. According to reports from Laredo: The Rev. Jose Maria Weyne had an unusual question for his congregation to open Wednesday’s morning Mass. “Who saw something out of the ordinary here?” he asked the group of about 70 faithful, pointing to the altar…

A lot of ink has already been spilled about Mother Teresa, and another flood will pour forth when her book of letters is officially published next week. The commentary has ranged from the Catholic reverential to the atheistic scornful. But here’s a valuable perspective, from a Protestant, who concludes by suggesting that the saint of…

Here’s another sign that the role of the deacon is becoming increasingly important, not just in the Catholic Church, but in our close cousin, the Church of England, too. This article suggests that the Church of England is beginning to grasp an important fundamental of this ministry — that it is a vocation unto itself,…

No one can accuse the Catholic Church of being stodgy. Not when it’s happy to have mass celebrated just down the road from the champion heifers, and a stone’s throw from the ferris wheel and the Tilt-A-Whirl. According to a TV station in Vermont: The Champlain Valley Fair is in full swing. And amidst all…

The secular media catches a lot of flak for the way it covers the Church — but perhaps the answer isn’t flak, but flacks. In other words, hiring someone to do a little PR for the Catholic Church. Zenit has an interesting interview with the Church’s communications director in Denver, who describes her own efforts…
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