The title above may seem provocative, but it accurately reflects the meaning of “excommunication” as the Church understands it, i.e. that a person by words and/or actions has broken communion (unity) with the Catholic Church. A “Decree of Excommunication” is a formal, legal statement (in Church – Canon – Law) by the Bishop (or other Read more ..
When a Pope Resigns… Without a doubt, the lead news story of 11 February 2013 around the world was Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he would resign the Papacy at the end of the month. The key sentence is this: “For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom Read more ..
January 4 is the feast of Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton (1774-1821). She is the first native-born (New York city) American citizen to be canonized a Saint. She was a convert, raised in the Episcopal Church, devout in her faith and known for her charitable work. She was married and was the mother of five children. Read more ..
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as “Gaudete” – “Rejoice” Sunday. In 2012, in the light of the brutal killing of 20 innocent children and 7 adults in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday and the killings at the mall in Oregon earlier in the week, the word seems hollow – inappropriate “happy talk” in Read more ..
After many weeks of waiting, the eleven parishes mandated by the Vatican to re-open are beginning to open! Two of the parishes: St. Casimir in Cleveland and St. John the Baptist in Akron celebrated their first Masses on Sunday, July 15. On Sunday, July 22, St. Barbara and St. Patrick (West Park) in Cleveland, and Read more ..
On April 17, 2012, Bishop Lennon announced that he would not appeal the decrees from the Congregation for the Clergy regarding appeals by 12 parishes that were merged or closed. Both in the press conference announcing his decision and in his letter to the people of the diocese, Bishop Lennon stated, “it’s time for peace Read more ..
Sr. Thea Bowman was a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (F.S.P.A.). She helped found the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans and was instumental in the preparation and publication of the American Black Catholic Hymnal, Lead Me, Guide Me. In addition to helping select the songs, she Read more ..
Three young lives violently taken; two other young people shot in sudden, horrific violence. “Tragedy” does not begin to describe what happened in Chardon, Ohio. In addition to the shock and deep mourning, people both locally and nationally spoke of the evil of what had happened. “Evil” is not a word that one is accustomed to hearing Read more ..
Let Love Triumph Over Hate
It is surprising – and inspiring – to read the Gospel on the editorial page of the Plain Dealer. Yet the editorial Deny T.J. Lane a legacy of hatred on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 concluded with these words: Now the people of Chardon, and others in Northeast Ohio who have followed this awful case, have Read more ..