A Michigan diocese said it supports a priest who told a parishioner that because of her same-sex civil marriage she should not receive the Eucharist. “Inclusion and acceptance have been a hallmark of Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Grand Rapids throughout the diocese’s history. They remain so. They presume, however, a respect on the

The disgraced Bishop Michael Bransfield, former head of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese, should apologize to his victims of sexual harassment, apologize to the diocese’s Catholic faithful, and repay nearly $800,000 to begin to make amends for his behavior, West Virginia’s new bishop has said. Bishop Mark Brennan, head of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston since last year,

Belgium’s Salesian order has defended its decision to send a priest convicted of child abuse to work with Caritas in Central African Republic, where he has been accused of abusing children again. Fr Carlo Loots, Belgian provincial vicar and spokesman for the Salesians of Don Bosco, also said the order had learned from the incident

Bishop Michael Bransfield must make amends for leaving a “deep and abiding sense of betrayal” in Wheeling-Charleston diocese, his successor has said (full text). Pope Francis has announced that he will issue a “letter to all believers to understand the meaning of the manger”. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti has celebrated a Mass marking the 100th anniversary

I was amazed that the false accusation … was already known to him Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who denies abuse allegations, on being in a meeting with Pope Francis after news of the allegation broke New York Post One of the particular ways to express concretely our turning to God is in the celebration of the

✣ With Fulton Sheen’s beatification now scheduled for December 21 (see page 10), and Christmas around the corner, a company has spotted an opportunity. SockReligious, a US-based Catholic outlet, is selling Sheen-themed socks for $14 a pair. The socks depict Sheen in front of a microphone – an allusion to the medium through which he

The moral theology of niceness – and anger Can you be too friendly, or not angry enough? According to St Thomas Aquinas, yes, wrote Edward Feser on his blog. Anger, Feser said, is “nature’s way of prodding us to act to set things right when they are in some way disordered. “The absence of anger

On Wednesday December 4 the Catholic Herald carol concert takes place at St James’s, Spanish Place, London. It starts at 7pm and will last about 45 minutes – followed by a mince pie and a glass of wine, which are included in the ticket price (£15, or £10 for subscribers). All proceeds go to good

What happened? A religious Sister who founded a project which helps poor families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has won a $1 million (£780,000) humanitarian prize. Sister Catherine Mutindi, a member of the the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, was awarded the Opus Prize, which recognises religion-based social

The big story ✣ Manifesto launch puts spotlight on abortion What happened? Britain’s political parties have released their manifestos, ahead of the general election on December 12. The two major parties are divided over Brexit, with the Conservatives promising to leave the European Union next year and Labour pledging to offer a new referendum, and

The big story ✣ Manifesto launch puts spotlight on abortion What happened? Britain’s political parties have released their manifestos, ahead of the general election on December 12. The two major parties are divided over Brexit, with the Conservatives promising to leave the European Union next year and Labour pledging to offer a new referendum, and

Peoria, Illinois Archbishop Sheen beatification date announced Archbishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified on December 21, the Diocese of Peoria has announced. The archbishop and TV preacher, who died in 1979, got the green light for beatification in July after Pope Francis approved a second miracle brought about through his intercession. The beatification ceremony will