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| MONDAY, AUGUST 27 |
| VIGANO: POPE FAILED TO ACT In a bombshell letter, Archbishop Carlo Vigano claims that Pope Francis withdrew sanctions that Pope Benedict XVI had placed on Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. Archbishop Vigano is the former apostolic nuncio to the United States. The National Catholic Register independently confirmed that the allegations against McCarrick were known to Pope Benedict XVI, and the Pope Emeritus remembers instructing Cardinal Bertone to impose measures but cannot recall their exact nature. READ |
| POPE RESPONDS TO REPORT On board his plane from Ireland back to Rome, Pope Francis said of the Vigano revelations: “Read the statement carefully and make your own judgment… I will not say a single word on this.” READ |
| VIGANO’S TESTIMONY You can read the 11-page document for yourself. READ |
| TX BISHOP SAYS VIGANO’S CLAIMS “CREDIBLE” Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, issued a public statement to his diocese: “A letter by Archbishop Vigano, former Nuncio to the United States, raises grave allegations and calls for the resignation of numerous high ranking prelates including Pope Francis. Let us be clear that they are still allegations but as your shepherd I find them to be credible.” READ |
| SEN. JOHN McCAIN DIES John McCain was a U.S. senator for over 30 years. Before entering politics, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a prisoner of war for more than five years. A look back at his long record. READ |
| MEDIA ANALYSIS Upon his death, the New York Times gave fawning coverage to John McCain’s career. But in 2008, when he was running against Barack Obama, the newspaper was relentless with insults and smears. READ |
| TRADE POLICY U.S. and Mexico could reach a new NAFTA deal as soon as Monday. READ |
| VIGANO’S CLAIMS American Papist blogger Thomas Peters gives five reasons why he believes Archbishop Vigano’s accusations are credible. READ |
| SAINT QUOTE “It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly than a thousand with no devotion and full of distraction.” -St. Edmund |
| SAINT OF THE DAY Perhaps Saint Monica is best known as the mother of Saint Augustine—a pretty noble label. But Saint Monica was also the mother of two other children, and is known as a woman of great prayer. We know that she prayed for the conversion of her son, and her prayers were heard. She also prayed for and obtained the conversion of her husband and mother-in-law. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “Proclaim God’s marvelous deed to all the nations.” (Ps 96:3) READ |
| DIFFICULTY Fr. Mike Schmitz, a priest who explains the Church’s teachings on YouTube, was asked to comment on the Pennsylvania sex abuse scandal. Fr. Mike is furious about what happened, but indignation is not the main message he wants to express. More than anything, he wants his viewers to know that now—more than ever—we need to live virtuous and holy lives and become the saints the Church needs. READ |