In case your week wasn’t filled with dancing priests and a singing nun like ours was, here’s your weekly roundup.
First, Canada needs prayers this week. A gunman opened fire in Ottawa Wednesday, killing a Canadian soldier. Two days earlier a radical jihadist ran over two soldiers in a city south of Montreal, killing one of them.
And, you guessed it—we’re still talking about the Synod on the family. In this week’s edition, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia said the recent debate over church teachings on gays and remarried Catholics caused too much confusion—and that “confusion is of the devil.”
We’re also still talking about ebola. A New York doctor was diagnosed yesterday, but Dallas nurse Nina Pham was released from the hospital today after testing negative for the virus. She told reporters, “I believe in the power of prayer because I know so many people around the world were praying for me.” President Obama also gave her a hug.
Archbishop Blase Cupich, the recently-appointed successor to Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, said this week that he will not live in the traditional residence of Chicago Cardinals—a 19-chimney, three-story historic red brick mansion near Lake Michigan. Cupich will instead reside in the rectory of Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral.
Girl Scouts of the USA celebrated their 100-year relationship with the church this week. Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore first endorsed the work of the Girl Scouts, who have recently seen a significant decline in membership.
And the Internet had lots of fun this week watching two dancing priests and a singing nun. Enjoy.
And now for the papal rapid fire roundup:
This week, Pope Francis:
- Called for an end to the death penalty and life imprisonment.
- Revealed his favorite foods.
- Didn’t confirm a trip to New York, but Cardinal Timothy Dolan seems to think he’s coming soon.
- Got a soccer jersey.
