Catholic Church

Fr. Gerald E. Murray, The Catholic Thing - Liturgical theology and law do not countenance that a bishop, let alone the diocesan bishop in his own diocese, concelebrate Mass with a priest as the principal celebrant (apart from a grave necessity, such as infirmity). This flows from the nature of the episcopal office: the bishop is the high priest in his diocese. He offers the sacrifice of the Mass for his people, while his priests, co-workers who serve the local Church under his authority, concelebrate with him.

By Paul Murano, Church Militant - The Vatican confirmed this morning that Pope Francis is inviting the bishops of the world to join with him to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary... Is this the moment faithful Catholics have been waiting for? Church Militant's Paul Murano explains the timeline of events... Papal Diplomat Christophe Pierre issued a letter to U.S. bishops on Thursday... It informed them that Pope Francis "will lead an Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th."

By Fr. Timothy V. Vaverek, The Catholic Thing - Jesus insists in today’s Gospel (Lk 13:1-9) that, without repentance (metanoia), we “will all perish” and be “cut down” like barren fig trees. He’s not threatening us or merely requiring us to reject sin. He’s lovingly calling us to metanoia as the only way to share His life, bear fruit for the kingdom, and be saved... Despite His urgency, we’ve widely failed to proclaim and foster metanoia as He intends. This has severely compromised our Christian life and witness, as evident in the declining faith and practice, repeated ecclesial crises, and ineffective renewal programs of the last half-century.

By Sandro Magister, Rorate Caeli - I am told that this is how they are referred to, with the horrendous adjective that I print as the title of this quasi-letter. In good Spanish, to cancel means “to annul,” “to erase from memory,” “to abolish,” “to repeal.” Honestly, I had never heard that this would happen until now. I venture, then, an interpretation.