Tag: Pope Francis

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Teaching on death penalty has evolved

As we observe October as Respect Life Month, we often think of protecting innocent human life, such as the unborn, the sick, the disabled, and the elderly. But I think it is more challenging to consider protecting the lives of those who have been convicted of crimes. Obviously, they are not innocent.

However, as Catholics we are called to protect ALL human life. In 2018, Pope Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s section on the death penalty to teach that the death penalty is “inadmissible” and to say that the Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide.” In a rescript, or decree, the Holy Father replaced the previous version of n. 2267 of the Catechism to read:

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Vatican official: protection of minors is goal

Clergy sexual abuse has impacted many people in society and the Church, including those working in the Church’s “Supreme Court” at the Vatican.

“This work has changed me,” the priest who heads Vatican Disciplinary Action in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith told Catholic journalists June 19.

“When I read the facts of the cases, I feel repulsed,” said Msgr. John Kennedy. However, he and the 16 others working in his office carry on with the work. “For victims and for their parents, it is far worse,” he said. “We’re doing this because it needs to be done to restore what has been damaged.”

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Tragedy may lead to interfaith solidarity

Maybe out of tragedy, the world might find some good, if outcries against the attacks at two mosques in New Zealand have shown.

Pope Francis expressed sorrow for the attacks, which left at least 50 people dead and dozens more injured. Speaking to people gathered in St. Peter’s Square on March 17, the Holy Father said, “I pray for the dead and injured and their families. I am close to our Muslim brothers and all that community. I renew my invitation for prayer and gestures of peace to combat hatred and violence.”

Both Pope Francis and everyone in the square observed a moment of silence for the victims.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Tragedy may lead to interfaith solidarity

Maybe out of tragedy, the world might find some good, if outcries against the attacks at two mosques in New Zealand have shown.

Pope Francis expressed sorrow for the attacks, which left at least 50 people dead and dozens more injured. Speaking to people gathered in St. Peter’s Square on March 17, the Holy Father said, “I pray for the dead and injured and their families. I am close to our Muslim brothers and all that community. I renew my invitation for prayer and gestures of peace to combat hatred and violence.”

Both Pope Francis and everyone in the square observed a moment of silence for the victims.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Pray to Saint Michael the Archangel

Bishop Robert C. Morlino has asked that people in the Diocese of Madison pray for the triumph of good in our world and the overcoming of evil by praying the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel at all Sunday and Solemnity Masses in our diocese.

In doing some research (see www.catholic.org), I learned that Saint Michael the Archangel is the leader of all angels and the army of God. He has four main responsibilities, according to Scripture and tradition:

• To combat Satan.

• To escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.

• To be a champion of all Christians and the Church itself.

• To call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.

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