Even though we’re busy celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, we took a break to catch up on news. You should too. Here’s your weekly roundup:
Pope Francis launched an attack on the Vatican bureaucracy Monday, Religion News Service reports. He outlined a list of 15 illnesses that plague the church’s central administration, including “spiritual Alzheimer’s” and gossipy cliques.
One of the two New York City police officers killed over the weekend was one hour away from graduating from a volunteer chaplain program. The two officers were killed by a man seeking retaliation for the recent police killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
The fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Antonio Martin in Berkeley, Missouri on Tuesday prompted largely peaceful protests.
A British supermarket chain released a great commercial about the World War I Christmas Truce of 1914.
Sony reversed its decision and went ahead with a Christmas day release of its satirical film The Interview despite threats from hackers. Sony also made the movie available to watch online.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the stained-glass industry is struggling as attendance declines at churches and some congregations opt for a more contemporary look.
And finally, here’s a story about nuns who sell grass-fed beef.
And now for the papal rapid fire roundup:
This week, Pope Francis:
- Delivered a solemn Christmas address.
- Wrote a long letter of solidarity to Christians in the Middle East.
- Sent Christmas greetings to Korea.
