Happy Friday! As always, your weekly roundup:
Police on Sunday killed gunmen who opened fire at an exhibit of Prophet Muhammad cartoons. The Vatican described the cartoons as pouring “gasoline on the fire.”
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin (who we interviewed in March) this week said gay people and their relationships should be recognized and cherished but that marriage is reserved for heterosexual couples only.
The Vatican pushed ahead with sainthood for missionary priest Junipero Serra.
Pope Francis, in his proclaimed year of mercy, directed priests to pardon women for having abortions.
An Austrian magazine printed its latest edition using ink mixed with blood from HIV-positive donors in order to counter the stigma often attached to the virus that causes AIDS. “If you hold this magazine in your hands it is like holding somebody who is HIV positive,” the magazine’s founder said. “Nothing can happen, nothing can harm you holding the magazine, and nothing can harm you holding an HIV-positive person.”
German bishops have decided lay employees who divorce and remarry or form gay civil unions should no longer automatically lose their jobs.
A Nebraska woman is suing all homosexuals on behalf of “God” and “his son, Jesus Christ.”
A French court ordered the removal of a statue of St. John Paul II which it said violated the separation of church and state. Authorities have been given six months to remove a 29ft statue from the town square in Ploërmel, Brittany.
A Belgian bishop has defended a priest who held a prayer service for the grieving owners of a pet chihuahua.
Uh, Dan Brown? Three people, including an aide to California Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris, have been arrested and accused of operating a rogue police force that claims ties to the Knights Templar. The original Knights Templar was founded in the 12th century to protect Catholic pilgrims during the Crusades.
And now for the papal rapid fire roundup
This week, Pope Francis:
- Joined the Harlem Globetrotters.
- Likes sports.
- Swapped hats.
- Said, “Pray for me, too, eh.”
- Blessed a photo.
- Kissed a very green baby for good luck.
