Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Dies at 95

Pope Benedict XVI, a leading theologian, and the first pope to resign in almost 600 years, died on December 31 at the age of 95. The Vatican press office director, Matteo Bruni, stated, “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.”

Benedict XVI was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising on June 29, 1951, at the age of 24, was appointed archbishop on May 28, 1977, at the age of 49, and was made a cardinal a month later. He served the Church as a theologian, an advisor at Vatican II, and the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, before being elected to the papacy in 2005. He chose the name Benedict XVI in honor of Benedict XV and St. Benedict. 

Benedict penned more than 60 books, including “Introduction to Christianity”, “The Spirit of the Liturgy”, and the “Jesus of Nazareth” trilogy. He also published three encyclicals: Deus caritas est, Spe salvi, and Caritas in Veritate. 

On February 11, 2013, Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing his resignation, breaking with almost 600 years of tradition. His resignation took effect on February 28, 2013, after which Benedict–having adopted the title “pope emeritus”–resided in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within Vatican City. 

The funeral Mass for Benedict XVI was held on January 5 in St. Peter’s Square, in front of an estimated 50,000 people. Pope Francis presided over the funeral, which was kept simple, per Benedict XVI’s wishes. 

Following the funeral, all Catholics will observe nine official days of mourning, called the Novemdiales. During this time, public memorial Masses will be held for Pope Benedict XVI around the world. Please check with your local diocese for more information on when and where the Masses will be held. The USCCB has also provided resources on the life of Pope Benedict XVI, which can be found here. 

Missouri Performs First Execution of 2023 

On Tuesday, January 3, Missouri performed its first execution of 2023 when the state took the life of Amber (formerly Scott) McLaughlin. The execution was carried out despite petitions containing thousands of signatures from multiple countries imploring the Missouri governor to grant McLaughlin clemency. 

Unfortunately, McLaughlin’s case is only the start of the executions scheduled to be carried out in the state this year. Missouri’s next scheduled execution is set for February 7 when, barring a grant of clemency by the governor, the state will execute Leonard Taylor. Though Taylor is currently the only Missouri death row inmate with an execution date scheduled, there is a substantial likelihood that more execution dates will be scheduled this year. 

The Catholic Church opposes the death penalty because it disregards the inherent sanctity and dignity of human life. You can call Governor Mike Parson’s office at (573) 751-3222 or you can email him to request clemency for Missouri’s death row inmates.

2023 Legislative Session Begins

Missouri lawmakers returned to Jefferson City on Wednesday to begin the first regular session of the 102nd General Assembly. To date, over 1200 bills have already been filed in both the House and the Senate, setting the stage for a busy session.

One of the priorities for the legislators will be initiative petition reform. Numerous bills have been filed that would extend MO HealthNet postpartum care, establish guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex, and modify provisions relating to expungement.

The MCC will again provide you with weekly email Updates and occasional Action Alerts when action is needed on legislation. We would like to remind you to visit our Legislative Toolbox, which contains information on the legislative process, including links to state and federal offices, a glossary of legislative terms, and guides on how to contact your legislator. 

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Denounces FDA Action on Chemical Abortion Pill

On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the loosening of safety requirements to allow retail pharmacies, through a simple certification process, to distribute the chemical abortion drug, mifepristone (previously commonly known as RU-486), by prescription. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement in response: 

“The Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching on upholding the dignity of all life, and that must include care for both women and their children. We decry the continuing push for the destruction of innocent human lives and the loosening of vital safety standards for vulnerable women. This week’s action by the FDA not only advances the obvious tragedy of taking the lives of the preborn, but is also harmful to women in need. 

“The rate of serious complications after chemical abortion is considerably higher than after surgical abortion. Overturning the safety protocols around abortion-causing drugs to effectively make them available on demand at pharmacies, requiring no in-person medical supervision, facilitates the isolation of critically vulnerable pregnant women, and invites more risk, pain, and trauma. It may also result in new violations of conscience for pharmacy workers who cannot dispense such drugs. The FDA should protect the life and health of both mothers and children, not loosen safety standards under industry or political pressures. We call on the Administration to correct its policy priorities and stand with mothers in need. They deserve better.”

Bishop Chairman Responds to Proposed "Conscience Rule"

On December 29, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued proposed revisions to a regulation that interprets various laws that protect the exercise of religious beliefs and moral convictions in healthcare, commonly called the “Conscience Rule.” In response, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, issued the following statement:

“While the proposed revision to the Conscience Rule will need time to digest, I am troubled by its implications that desire for abortion and other procedures can override rights of conscience. Pope Francis has called conscientious objection ‘the ultimate responsibility of healthcare professionals,’ one that ‘should never be negotiated.’ Strong majorities of Americans agree – in a USCCB study this year, 60% of registered voters said that a doctor should not be pressured or penalized by the government to perform abortions or gender transition procedures that go against his or her conscience.

“It is crucial that the federal government broadly interpret and robustly enforce our nation’s laws protecting this fundamental right of conscience and of health workers to do no harm. We will continue to review the proposed rule and file thorough comments at the appropriate time.”

More information on the Conscience Rule, the USCCB’s previous comments on this rule, and other regulations impacting religious freedom are available here.

Prayers for Hamlin

Kansas City Chiefs fans perhaps tuned in to Monday Night Football praying for a Cincinnati Bengals victory over the Buffalo Bills to put the Chiefs in the AFC's first-seed position. However, the prayers for a win on the field quickly turned to prayers for the well-being of Bills Safety Damar Hamlin who suffered cardiac arrest after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins during a routine play.

Hamlin, who is a 2016 graduate of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, is regarded as a “highly respected young man” who “has been an integral part of our Catholic Lasallian Community and regularly returns to Central to speak with participants of our football campus.” A photograph provided by the school to OSV News showed Hamlin in his high school football uniform holding a poster that read, “Recruited by Jesus.”

Over the past two years, Hamlin has Tweeted multiple expressions of faith and appreciation, along with support for friends and fellow athletes. “I see myself through God’s eyes, not anyone else’s,” he wrote on December 8, 2020. A post from the previous month read “from losses to lessons to blessings. Thank you, God!” 

Although Hamlin is showing improvement, he remains in critical condition. To read more, click here.