1. Politicians aren’t usually saints. But Pope Francis just put one on the path to sainthood., By Emma Campbell-Mohn, The Washington Post, July 7, 2021, 7:00 AM, Opinion
On June 19, Pope Francis decreed that former French foreign minister Robert Schuman had lived a life of “heroic virtue” and bestowed the title of “Venerable” on him. Proof of “heroic virtue” is a step on the path to sainthood, followed by beatification and sanctification, both of which typically require miracles.
But Schuman’s life’s work did not focus on religion. He is best known for laying the foundations of what became today’s European Union. It’s unusual for a modern politician to receive this kind of recognition from the Catholic Church.
…
Because Schuman wasn’t martyred, he would need at least one accredited miracle to be beatified and two to become a saint. It’s not clear how many of the Catholic faithful pray to him for succor, but even if they don’t receive miraculous relief, the papacy has taken a quiet step toward suggesting its sympathy for the European Union and economic integration as a cornerstone for peace.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/07/politicians-arent-usually-saints-pope-francis-just-put-one-path-sainthood/
___________________________________________________________
2. Catholic Groups Criticize Abortion Report Backed by European Parliament, By Catholic News Agency, July 6, 2021
An international alliance of Catholic groups has criticized a report adopted by the European Parliament asserting that abortion is a “human right.”
In a joint statement issued ahead of last month’s vote, 14 organizations said that they stood united in the defense of human life from conception until natural death.
“Abortion eliminates an innocent human life and has grave physical and psychological consequences for women who undergo it, and harmful consequences for those who procure it,” said the June 23 statement, issued by participants in the thematic expert groups on family, health, and human rights of the Forum of Catholic-inspired Organizations.
https://www.ncregister.com/cna/catholic-groups-criticize-abortion-report-backed-by-european-parliament
___________________________________________________________
3. Ohio enacts health care conscience protections, By Catholic News Agency, July 6, 2021, 6:00 PM
Ohio state law now includes conscience protections for medical professionals, after Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed a state budget bill into law on June 30.
“Governor DeWine should be commended for his commitment to dignified health care. His clear understanding that health care professionals must have the right to freedom of conscience is vital to ensuring the health and safety of our patients,” said Dr. Michael Parker, president of the Catholic Medical Association, in a July 1 statement.
Signed on the night of June 30, HB 110 says that doctors, health care workers, hospitals, and insurers can “decline to perform, participate in, or pay for any health care service” which violates their consciences.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248281/ohio-enacts-health-care-conscience-protections
___________________________________________________________
4. Pope, though hospitalized, is still in charge, By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, July 6, 2021
The Vatican has detailed laws, rituals and roles to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns. But none of them apply when he is sick or even unconscious, and there are no specific norms governing what happens when a pope becomes incapacitated.
As a result, even though Pope Francis remains hospitalized while he recovers from intestinal surgery Sunday at a Rome hospital, he is still pope and very much in charge. The Vatican said Tuesday Francis had eaten breakfast, read the newspapers and had a walk, and that his post-operative recovery was proceeding normally.
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/07/pope-though-hospitalized-is-still-in-charge/
___________________________________________________________TCA Media Monitoring provides a snapshot from national newspapers and major Catholic press outlets of coverage regarding significant Catholic Church news and current issues with which the Catholic Church is traditionally or prominently engaged. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Catholic Association.
|
