Archbishop comments on public school sex abuse

An Associated Press national study on child sex abuse in public schools is the subject of this week’s column by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis in his archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit. He notes that most public school teachers are honorable, hardworking professionals, as are the vast majority of Catholic priests, [...]

Community readies for All Souls Day

Looking for ways to observe All Souls Day? File this away for next year: One of the oldest cemeteries in Arkansas had its headstones scrubbed and power-washed last weekend as part of a general cleanup in preparation for tomorrow’s feast. The story is here in the Arkansas Catholic.

Internet primer offered by Our Sunday Visitor

Our Sunday Visitor in this weekend’s edition offers an Internet primer, examining the things Catholics can find there to help their faith, such as vast catechetical resources, as well as drawbacks, such as substituting virtual communities for the local parish. There are also sections on high-tech terms, instant-messaging and popular Catholic sites.

Saudi king no stranger to Vatican

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Aziz is no stranger to the Vatican.
His meeting next Tuesday with Pope Benedict XVI marks the first time a pope has met with a reigning king of Saudi Arabia. But it will be Abdullah’s third papal audience.
As crown prince, he met with Pope John Paul II twice — at Castel Gandolfo [...]

After hours at the Vatican Museums

There’s nothing quite like an evening book presentation inside the Vatican Museums. It’s a thrill just to walk through the darkened museum hallways at night, hours after the place has officially closed. Last Tuesday, there was the added spectacle of a thunderstorm raging outside. I headed to the conference hall, strolling past Egyptian mummies, Roman mosaics and rows of [...]