Today’s Catholic must-reads: 13/04/11

Pope Benedict XVI dedicated his general audience this morning to “simple saints”, who he defined as “those good people I see in my life who will never be canonised” (video).

An Italian publisher has suspended publication of the new youth catechism, YouCat, after it discovered a translation error implying that the Church approved contraception.

A Caritas official in Ivory Coast has said that there is “an acute lack of basic foodstuffs” following heavy fighting in the capital, Abidjan.

The Vatican has been served with court papers relating to the case Fr Lawrence Murphy, who allegedly abused some 200 boys at St John’s School for the Deaf outside Milwaukee.

Benedict XVI has given his final approval to plans for his state visit to Germany in September.

Fr Adolfo Nicolás, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, has met Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, during a visit to London (photos).

Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, explains that the Church is in favour of “reciprocal benefits” for gay couples.

Phil Lawler notes that for every dollar spent last year on therapy for the victims of priestly abuse American dioceses spent $5.29 on lawyers’ fees.

Tony Blair points out that there are more practising Catholics in China than in Italy.

And Sara Angle visits a bar in Rome named after John Paul II.