Morning Catholic must-reads: 14/05/12

Spiritual and ethical renewal “alone can lead to a genuine improvement of social and civic life“, Benedict XVI said on a pastoral visit to Tuscany yesterday (full text of homily and Regina caeli).

Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, has written to members of the academy assuring them of his commitment to the Gospel of Life following a controversial conference on infertility treatment.

Three out of four senior staff at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome are leaving their posts following the Apostolic Visitation of the Irish Church, reports the Catholic News Agency.

The Society of St Pius X’s General House has condemned the publication of private letters between the Superior General and the three other SSPX bishops.

Andrea Tornielli says that this week will prove decisive for Pope Benedict’s quest to reconcile the SSPX to Rome.

Fr Federico Lombardi reflects on last week’s Vatican conference on combating human trafficking.

William Patenaude considers how the 13th-century Franciscan theologian St Bonaventure has influenced Benedict XVI’s vision of the new evangelisation.

Deacon Greg Kandra welcomes an official clarification that married permanent deacons are “not bound to observe perfect and perpetual continence”.

And former White House official Joseph Wood explains how to travel like a Catholic.