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| MONDAY, AUGUST 20 |
| WUERL CANCELS TRIP Cardinal Donald Wuerl canceled his planned appearance at the World Meeting of Families in Ireland. Wuerl’s tenure as Bishop of Pittsburgh is under heavy scrutiny after last week’s explosive grand jury report on accusations of clergy sexual abuse. READ |
| BISHOP CONDEMNS HOMOSEXUAL SUBCULTURE Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, WI: “It is time to admit that there is a homosexual subculture within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church that is wreaking great devastation in the vineyard of the Lord.” Bishop Morlino added that he would be offering a public Mass in reparation for all sins committed by clergy and episcopacy. READ |
| ANGER CAN BE RIGHTEOUS Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia said: “Anger is also a righteous and necessary response – but it needs to be an anger that bears good fruit; an anger guided by clear thinking, prudence, and a desire for real justice. That kind of anger all of us should feel this week and carry with us into the days ahead.” READ |
| RELIGIOUS PROTECTIONS The Trump administration issued a new policy that allows federal contractors to claim a religious exemption when battling discrimination claims. The directive cites the 2014 Supreme Court ruling on Hobby Lobby which said certain corporations can be exempt from regulations over religious objections. READ |
| UNMARRIED MOMS A decades-long rise in non-marital childbearing has stopped climbing and even declined a little since its height near 2005. READ |
| FREE SPEECH Liberal talk show host Bill Maher criticized fellow liberals for supporting social media bans. “Alex Jones gets to speak…. That’s free speech for the speech you hate. That’s what free speech means. We’re losing the thread of the concepts that are important to this country.” READ |
| 40 YEARS FOR CATHOLIC PUBLISHER Ignatius Press is celebrating 40 years. Fr. Joseph Fessio, the founder, spoke about the tumultuous time for the Church today: “As long as there is a really robust faith, and good Catholic families and groups, there are signs of hope.” READ |
| SAINT OF THE DAY Wanting to be a simple monk in the quiet of a monastery, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was called upon to be a very active member of the Church in his day. Preacher, reconciler, adviser, healer—just a few of the roles he was called to play. A man of many talents, he used his abilities for the service of the Church. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “You have forgotten God who gave you birth.” (Dt 32:18) READ |
| NEAT Sister Mary Jo Sobieck threw out the first pitch at a White Sox game. And it was a strike! WATCH |