Some more recent news highlights...
* The recently retired bishop of Dodge City said being a bishop has always "felt like a burden" to him. He also said he has done "all I know how to do, all my strength permitted me to do, all my weakness allowed me to do" and asserted that "The good people of this Diocese deserve better from their bishop than what I was giving them"
* Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford (CT) was evacuated Wednesday over a possible bomb threat. The investigation reportedly did not uncover any dangerous materials at the school
* Sad: The Phoenix hospital in danger of losing its status as a Catholic facility over an abortion has defended the killing of the unborn child [Refresher: Catholic teachings against abortion]
* Some good news: The Diocese of Honolulu is reportedly giving 'increased recognition' to the TLM. The bishop recently appointed a chaplain to the Latin Mass Community in Maui and will elevate a chaplain to become pastor of a parish in Honolulu which celebrates the TLM [Related: Traditional Latin Mass (Topic Page)]
* Pakistani bishops are calling for the prosecution of the imam who offered a reward for the killing of the Catholic mother already sentenced to death for 'blaspheming Mohammed'. Reportedly, some 'prominent Muslims' also signed the letter
* Vatican circus: As reported by various secular outlets, four shirtless men in tight pants recently performed in front of Pope Benedict. Scandalously, the muscular acrobats removed their shirts in front of the Holy Father - leaving only their snug pants and wrist cuffs - and proceeded to perform a routine that risked enticing both females and homosexual men to lust. In addition to the Pope, onlookers included clergy and nuns [sadly - at least from what one video showed - the nuns (in full habits) were smiling and taking pictures rather than averting their gaze from the topless male performers]. Unfortunately, Pope Benedict himself clapped and stood up for the performers (half-seriously dubbed 'Vatican Chippendales') [Commentary: How terribly sad (not to mention scandalous) that attending an audience with the Pope may be an occasion for sin! As Bl. Jacinta warns, "The sins which hurl most souls into hell, are the sins of the flesh." Christ Himself says, "But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Mt. 5:28) The Vatican's own Pontifical Council for the Family reminds that "The practice of decency and modesty in speech, action and dress is very important for creating an atmosphere suitable for the growth of chastity." Is it too much to ask that the Vatican heed its own advice?]
* The Holy Father's message for the upcoming 'World Day of Peace' asserts that religious freedom is "one of the ways to safeguard peace", yet it "does not imply that all religions are equal. Nor is it a reason for religious relativism or indifferentism" [Refreshers: Necessity of being Catholic for salvation | Traditional teachings on religious liberty]
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