| |
U.S. Bishops Respond to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
|
|
| |
 Cardinal Daniel DiNardo has issued the following statement concerning the recently released and highly disturbing report of the Pennsylvania grand jury concerning cases of abuse of minors in six of Pennsylvania's eight dioceses.
In 2002, the U.S. bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It commits the bishops to respond promptly and compassionately to victims, report the abuse of minors, remove offenders and take ongoing action to prevent abuse. Each of the four Missouri dioceses have established offices for the protection of children and have staff members available to assist those in need of services.
To make a report of current or past sexual abuse in your Missouri diocese, please contact:
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Sandra Price
Executive Director
Office of Child and Youth Protection
314-792-7704
sandraprice@archstl.org
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Jenifer Valenti
Independent Ombudsman
816-812-2500
jenifervalenti@att.net
Diocese of Jefferson City
Nancy Hoey
Victim Assistance Coordinator
Office of Child and Youth Protection
573-694-3199
reportabuse@diojeffcity.org
Diocese of Springfield/Cape Girardeau
Bill Holtmeyer, Jr., Director
Judy St. John, Victim Assistance Coordinator
Office of Child and Youth Protection
417-860-3858 (Holtmeyer)
573-587-3139 (St. John)
billholtmeyer@dioscg.org |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Cardinal DiNardo Outlines Plans for Bishop Accountability
|
|
| |
This week, Cardinal DiNardo also outlined his plans for holding bishops accountable in collaboration with the Vatican, laity, and experts, with the ultimate goal being stronger protections against predators within the church. The plan would encompass three underlying goals: an investigation concerning Archbishop McCarrick, new channels for reporting complaints against bishops, and advocacy for more effective resolution of future complaints.
DiNardo made these goals public as part of his ongoing efforts to establish a concrete plan of action in preparation for the bishops fall meeting in November. He closed his statement by asking for prayers, stating: "Let me also ask you to pray for us, that we will take this time to reflect, repent, and recommit ourselves to holiness of life and to conform our lives even more to Christ, the Good Shepherd." |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Nebraska Holds First Execution in Decades
|
|
| |
 On Tuesday, Carey Dean Moore was executed for the murder of two taxi drivers in Nebraska. The execution proved to be a series of firsts for the state: the state's first execution in 21 years, its first lethal injection, and its first to use a synthetic painkiller that helped drive the opioid epidemic. The execution was even more unusual in that the state legislature voted to abolish the death penalty in 2015 before voters reversed the decision the following year. Adding to the controversy was a lawsuit filed last week by a European company alleging that Nebraska had obtained some of the drugs by improper or illegal means. That lawsuit was later rejected.
It took 23 minutes to pronounce Moore dead and the curtain was closed on three occasions preventing witnesses from viewing what was happening. So far in 2018, seven states have carried out executions. Moore is the 16th person to be executed this year. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Missouri Democratic Party Removes Pro-life Provision of Platform
|
|
| |
This week, the Missouri Democratic Party removed a recently-approved provision of their platform that specifically recognizes pro-life candidates. The section removed stated: "We respect the conscience of each Missourian and recognize that members of our party have deeply held and sometimes differing positions on issues of personal conscience, such as abortion. We recognize the diversity of views as a source of strength, and welcome into our ranks all Missourians who may hold differing positions on this issue."
In place of this provision, the party inserted new language which states: "A woman's right to choose and the right of every person to their own bodily autonomy and to be free from government intrusion in medical decisions, including a decision to carry a pregnancy to term, and oppose any efforts to limit access to reproductive health care."
The Missouri Catholic Conference has and still continues to work with pro-life Democrats in the Missouri General Assembly, and there are Democrats serving in the Missouri legislature who vote pro-life. It is unfortunate that the official Missouri Democrat Party platform does not acknowledge this. Read more about this provision here. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Annual Assembly Workshop of the Week
|
|
| |
 This week kicks off the series highlighting a different workshop from the strong lineup at the 2018 Annual Assembly.
First up is a session that encapsulates the theme of this year's event, Pope Francis' Theology of Accompaniment: The Church Serving the Peripheries. This workshop will be led by Most Reverend Mark Rivituso, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The workshop will celebrate Pope Francis' vision of the Church who humbly serves those on the peripheries by accompaniment. The Church, modeling herself after the very example of Christ, goes out and accompanies all in their poverty and need with Christ's compassion, advocates their God-given dignity and serves them with Christ's love. Living the call to be the Catholic Church, as well as being faithful in the Lord's call for our advocacy and legislative efforts, is truly fulfilled as we put into practice Pope Francis' Theology of Accompaniment.
Join other Catholics from around the state during this workshop to participate in the celebration of five years of Pope Francis! Descriptions for other workshop offerings can be found on the MCC website. If you haven't yet registered for the event, be sure to do so at no cost by calling (800) 456-1679 or by registering online. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Magnificent Milan Cathedral
|
|
| |
 This week we travel to Milan, Italy, to feature the Catholic Cathedral in the heart of this great city. This white marble gothic beauty took six centuries to complete. It is adorned with over 3,000 statues and is the second largest cathedral in Italy after St. Peter's in Rome. The Milan Cathedral is famous for a number of reasons, not the least of which is its size; it can hold 35,000 people. It boasts a sundial placed in 1768 that is so precise, the city clocks are set by it, and it also houses one of the nails used in the crucifixion of Christ. The nail is displayed publicly each year for three days.
For a 360 view of the interior, click here. To view the city of Milan from the rooftop terrace, click here. |
|
|
Top
|
|
|
