News

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas priest already under consideration for sainthood has won the endorsement of the Army’s top civilian leader to receive the Medal of Honor.

The Rev. Emil Kapaun was a captain and chaplain in the Army in Korea and taken prisoner in 1950 when the Chinese captured his unit. Kapaun continued to serve the men’s needs, risking his life to provide them with food and water amid squalid conditions.

Kapaun, a Roman Catholic, died in a prison camp in 1951.

In one of his final acts as Army secretary, Pete Geren, wrote Rep. Todd Tiahrt, of Goddard, Kansas, saying he agreed Kapaun was worthy of the honor. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has also endorsed Kapaun’s honor.

Seven chaplains have received the Medal of Honor.

His cause for sainthood was opened on June 29, 2008.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput’s address to the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College “Envoy of the Year” award banquet last Thursday, October 8th, in Charlotte.

Sent in from a reader.

MARQUETTE – This is the statement of Bishop Alexander K. Sample of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, issued this morning:
“I attempted to handle this matter in a private, respectful and fraternal manner with Bishop Gumbleton. It is unfortunate that what should have remained a private matter between two bishops of the Catholic Church has been made available for public consumption.
“I want to first of all say that my decision to ask Bishop Gumbleton not to come to Marquette had absolutely nothing to do with the group who invited him to speak, Marquette Citizens for Peace and Justice, nor with the topic of his publicized speech, since the Church is a strong advocate of peace and justice. I am sorry for the negative impact this has had on those planning this event.
“There is a common courtesy usually observed between bishops whereby when one bishop wishes to enter into another bishop’s diocese to minister or make a public speech or appearance, he informs the local bishop ahead of time and seeks his approval. I have had no communication whatsoever from Bishop Gumbleton.
“As the Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, I am the chief shepherd and teacher of the Catholic faithful of the Upper Peninsula entrusted to my pastoral care. As such I am charged with the grave responsibility to keep clearly before my people the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals. Given Bishop Gumbleton’s very public position on certain important matters of Catholic teaching, specifically with regard to homosexuality and the ordination of women to the priesthood, it was my judgment that his presence in Marquette would not be helpful to me in fulfilling my responsibility. I realize that these were not the topics upon which Bishop Gumbleton was planning to speak. However, I was concerned about his well-known and public stature and position on these issues and my inability to keep these matters from coming up in discussion.In order that no one becomes confused, everyone under my pastoral care must receive clear teaching on these important doctrines.
“I offer my prayers for Bishop Gumbleton and for all those who have been negatively affected by this unfortunate situation.” [reference]

Sadly Catholic Answers is going downhill. It seems that they are willing to scrape the bottom of the barrel in the guests they are willing to have on.

As proof I offer the fact that I will be on Catholic Answers Oct 9th from 3 to 4 PST.

I must admit I am pretty pumped about it. As someone who started listening to Catholic Answers from the beginning and has listed to just about every show it is pretty cool. Currently I listen via the podcast. I will be interviewed by Tom Price of EWTN. They must have figured if both Patrick Coffin and I were on the show at the same time it could cause an imbalance in the universe with all the punning going on. Though I was able to talk to Patrick today in advance of the show.

The L.A. Times pretty much plays it straight in an article on the upcoming “Catholics Come Home” advertising campaign sponsored by the Diocese of Sacramento and other diocese.

Terri Schiavo’s father, Robert Schindler, died last night of apparent heart failure at the age of 72. His health was broken by the ordeal of trying to save his daughter’s life and he never fully recovered from the horror of watching her dehydrate to death. The family is grieving. Any condolences can be sent to: Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, 5562 Central Avenue ~ Suite 2 – St. Petersburg, FL – 33707

What great witness Robert Schindler gave in trying to save his daughter. The very model of a Catholic father. I saw him once at Mass shortly after Terri Schiavo’s death and it looked like the weight of the world was bearing down on him. I pray for his family in this time and for the repose of the soul of this good and faithful servant.

Today is also the funeral of the Senator who led the fight against Terri Schiavo in the Senate. Praying also for the repose of Sen. Kennedy’s soul.

Fr. Philip Powell, OP writes an informative post on the Apostolic Visitation and the LCWR in what it means and doesn’t mean. He also gives the explanation for why the resulting report is secret.

Michael Barber and Brand Pitre of the “Singing in the Reign” blog have started a new blog and will be adding another scripture scholar to the mix. So make sure you bookmark/RSS The Sacred Page

In other news I received an email by Fr John Hogan

To introduce ourselves: our association, the Fraternity of St Genesius, is a family of prayer within the Catholic Church dedicated to praying for those who work in theatre, cinema, the arts and media (internet included) so these people and media came come to recognise their role in witnessing to Christ in the world. We also seek to assist the Church in her mission and outreach to those working in these areas, and to promote the arts and media as a means of evangelisation in the modern world. The Fraternity was founded on the 19th January 2007 and received the formal approval of the Church as a “private association of the faithful of Diocesan right” on the 27th August of the same year: our protector bishop is Bishop Michael Smith of Meath (Ireland). Last October during our first pilgrimage to Rome as a group, we met with the Holy Father following his General Audience and he gave us great encouragement in our work. More details about us and our mission, St Genesius’ life, together with online back issues of our quarterly magazine, can be found on our website.

Considering St. Genesius is also the patron saint of Jesters I will be sure to participate in their online novena at stgenesius.com.

More information for Sec State Hillary on “Who painted that”

Nuns from a Benedictine monastic community of strict observance in Italy have a problem. They are out of room and need help in constructing a new convent to be erected in Passo Sant’Angelo.