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[Catholic Caucus] The "Mercy" Hammer Comes Down on Traditional Latin Masses in Detroit -- 10 Parish Masses to be Closed [Update: Ad Orientem posture in Novus Ordo also banned][Updated: as the full implementation document at the end makes clear, the ban of ad orientem and other traditional liturgical aspects in the Novus Ordo is not a rumor anymore, but it's fully public.] Ugliness and cruelty dressed up as goodness and obedience. Disgusting.A few notes:1. "Fidelity to the Holy Father's call" - He means Francis; Leo XIV has made no such call yet.2. The "all other sites" for which permission will...

Wall Street Journal highlights Gen Z’s interest in the Latin Mass, reverenceGen Z respondents praised the Latin Mass, the Sacraments, and beauty and reverence in the Catholic Church as to why they and their peers are drawn to Catholicism.Pilgrimage on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Summorum Pontificum, Pontifical Mass in Vetus Ordo Mass in Latin, Holy Mass at the Saint Peter's ChairThe Wall Street Journal became the latest mainstream media outlet to pick up on the increased interest among Millennials and Gen Z in the Catholic Church, with many particularly drawn by beautiful Latin Mass liturgies, the...

[Catholic Caucus] The Bishops of France and Cardinal Roche Still at War Against the Traditional Pilgrimages of France -- What Will Leo XIV do?Sometimes, decisions can wait. At other times, they have to be made fast.In April and early May, making use of the interregnum for their nefarious ends, the anti-traditional bishops of France negotiated with Cardinal Roche, Prefect of Divine Worship, in order to make as hard as possible the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass and sacraments in the Paris-Chartres Pilgrimage -- and all other pilgrimages in France.Leo XIV was not involved in these decisions. What will he...

[Catholic Caucus] Latin Mass ending in all regular parishes in DetroitThe Archdiocese of Detroit is blessed to have settings exclusively dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass -- the most famous being the Saint Joseph Shrine. Thankfully, this one is safe.However, the several other Traditional Masses celebrated in regular parishes, pursuant to the generous implementation of Summorum Pontificum, and kept by the generosity of Abp. Vigneron, are about to be abolished by the newly appointed Archbishop, Edward Weisenburger.The news comes from the Facebook page of one of those parishes, Our Lady of the Scapular, in Wyandotte:Pursuant to the order of "Traditionis...

[Catholic Caucus] Pope Francis replaces faithful bishop as Argentine prelate expresses concern for his salvationOn this episode of Faith and Reason, John-Henry Westen, Father Charles Murr, and Frank Wright discuss Pope Francis, Archbishop Naumann, and proposed anti-Christian legislation in Australia.On this episode of Faith and Reason, John-Henry Westen, Father Charles Murr, and Frank Wright discuss Pope Francis replacing Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City with a much more progressive bishop, Bishop Athanasius Schneider saying that the next pope must “abrogate and condemn” Francis’ errors, Archbishop Héctor Aguer writing that the health of the Holy Father’s soul is at risk, proposed Australian...

[Catholic Caucus] Pope appoints bishop who urged USCCB to delay debate on Communion for pro-abortion politiciansBishop Michael McGovern was among 68 bishops who urged the USCCB not to debate barring pro-abortion Catholics in public life from Holy Communion.Pope Francis on Monday appointed Bishop Michael McGovern of Belleville, Illinois, to lead the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.McGovern, who has served most of his priesthood in Chicago, will be installed as Archbishop of Omaha in the Cathedral of St. Cecilia on May 7. He will be replacing Archbishop George Lucas, whose resignation was accepted by Francis when he turned 75 in June 2024,...

Female Anglican bishop ‘concelebrates’ Mass with Catholic priestsThe incident in El Salvador has been condemned by the Apostolic Nuncio as a violation of liturgical and canon law.Anglican clergywoman (2nd from left) joining Catholic priests on the altar in El SalvadorThe Apostolic Nuncio to El Salvador has issued a correction after a female Anglican prelate joined Catholic clergy on the altar to concelebrate a recent Mass.On March 24, a Mass was held to mark the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Held in the chapel of the Hospitalito La Divina Providencia, where Romero was assassinated, the Mass was...

[Catholic Caucus] Do the Bishops Really Emphasize "Using Proper Terms?" That Depends!When I'm in a masochistic mood, I read the Arlington Catholic Herald. Usually, I just scan the headlines and put it in the paper recycling. Occasionally, though, I actually do read at least a few articles. Sometimes it even gives me a good laugh, an eye roll, and a rueful head shake.Such was the case when I read an article yesterday explaining how the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is getting a new name, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Wow! Now that is an earth-shaking...

It's Not Just Thirty Pieces of Silver These Days, It's Billions for the Pharisee Bishops!Are the U.S. Catholic Bishops Pharisees or Shepherds?There's a story, perhaps apocryphal, about a conversation between Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, Secretary of State to Pius VII, and Napoleon Bonaparte which has the ring of truth. Apparently Napoleon told the cardinal he had the power to destroy the Church. The ironic answer from the prelate was, "If the bishops haven't been able to do it in the past 1800 years, how can you expect to succeed?"From my lifetime perspective in the 20th and now 21st century, many of...

Tuesday rally in DC to call for RICO investigation into USCCB, advocate for sex abuse victimsOn Tuesday, March 11, at 12:00pm, a rally outside the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., will call for a RICO investigation into the USCCB and expose Cardinal Robert McElroy for covering up clergy sexual abuse.(LifeSiteNews) — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWitness Rally to Call for a RICO Investigation into USCCB and Advocate for Sex Abuse VictimsMarch 11, 2025: NoonLocation: Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., in front on public sidewalksOrganizer: Friends of Rachel, Wes, and “Lost Immigrant Children” (an informal group)Contact: Prof. Janet...

[Catholic Caucus] Catholics ask Trump administration to investigate USCCB on immigration, sex abuseThe request calls into question the Catholic Church's 'commitment to protecting minors and the vulnerable from sex abuse' and states that 'the USCCB should not be involved in settling refugees and immigrants.'Catholics have been devastated by the Catholic Church’s record for priestly sexual abuse, for covering up that abuse, and for mistreating victims. We question its commitment to protecting minors and the vulnerable from sex abuse and believe the USCCB should not be involved in settling refugees and immigrants. We fear some money was spent for undesignated and...

[Catholic Caucus] Bishop Strickland: ‘Modernist reinterpretations’ bear false witness against true Church teachingOn this week's episode of A Shepherd's Voice, Bishop Joseph Strickland leads us through all the various ways one can violate the Eighth Commandment, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness,' accusing some in the Church of failing to uphold it.Let us begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Thank you for joining me again for A Shepherd’s Voice as we begin the eighth episode. We have been looking at the Ten Commandments, and we are up to the Eighth...

State Dept. terminates USCCB migration fundsThe State Department canceled a contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday, likely bringing to a halt a nationwide effort organized by the USCCB to provide resettlement services for refugees to the United States. The cancellation leaves uncertain the status of a USCCB lawsuit aiming to recoup millions in back payments for resettlement services, with the federal government telling a judge that the USCCB should seek payment through “available administrative channels” outside the lawsuit.In a Feb. 26 letter, U.S. State Department comptroller Joseph Kouba told the USCCB that its financial agreement for...

USCCB guidelines for immigration reform confuse Church doctrine with policy preferencesLast month, the USCCB issued guidelines for immigration reform, encouraging lawmakers to safeguard communities in a 'targeted, proportional, and humane manner.'Last month, the USCCB issued guidelines for immigration reform, encouraging lawmakers to safeguard communities in a “targeted, proportional, and humane” manner. In analyzing the U.S. bishops’ guidelines, it’s essential to distinguish between binding Church doctrine and prudential judgments. The Catholic Church upholds the dignity of every human person and acknowledges the right of nations to secure their borders and enforce immigration policies. These teachings are complementary, not contradictory. Misrepresenting them...

[Catholic Caucus] The Church’s Dysfunctional Culture of “Respect and Obedience”Subservience is ever ancient, ever new. In that respect, the hierarchy of the Church is not much different than the hierarchies of business and government. But servile obedience can foster a culture of self-destructive tyranny even within the institutional Church.By God’s design, the Church is a hierarchy, not a democracy. The successor of Saint Peter is at the top of the pyramid – or, from another point of view, at the bottom of an inverted pyramid. The office of the papacy identifies the pope as the “servant of the servants.” The...

Archbishop Viganò: US bishops attack Trump after losing government cashIf the USCCB truly is not concerned about getting government funds and cares only about charitable works, it will have no objection if the President orders a forsensic audit to find out how the funding it has received has been spent.The following was originally written and published February 19 by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò on X after news broke that the USCCB was suing the Trump administration. (LifeSiteNews) — For years, the USCCB, had always been most careful to keep the utmost silence in regard to Democrat administrations, even when matters...

[Catholic Caucus] Bishops Burning BridgesAs much as the American public is shocked by the ongoing DOGE revelations of our abuse by the Federal government, betrayal by spiritual leaders is infinitely worse.When I was in Catholic graduate studies, our instructors would alert us to incoming papal encyclicals. Excitement would build, delectatory anticipation of what Pope John Paul might say. When it was finally promulgated, it would be all the buzz during class breaks, as we sieved out insights about suffering, women, the elderly, and always, always Jesus Christ. Now I look back on that innocent spiritual intoxication the way I remember...

US bishops’ dependence on government funding is putting their integrity at stakeWith government money flowing into the USCCB coffers to the tune of billions of dollars over the last number of years, the question naturally arises: who is really pulling the strings in the Catholic Church in America?Corpus Christ for Unity and Peace’s (CUP) investigation will unveil a systemic issue stemming from inadequate financial oversight, raising the question of who truly governs the Catholic Church in America: the bishops or the government.At the pinnacle is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which has amassed billions of dollars from the...

[Catholic Caucus] The true enemies of the Church are bad CatholicsOn the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the anniversary of her first apparition to Saint Bernadette, I offer this reprise from our kind benefactor NC:It is a well-known account. Sister Marie Bernarde (Bernadette) Soubirous is in the convent of the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, it is 1870, war is raging throughout northern France as the Prussian-led German armies march towards Paris. The first printed version of the account,* published while she was still living, is the following. A visitor came to Bernadette at that time and made her...

The truth about Catholic Relief Services: It is not merely a non-profit that helps the poorFrom 2013 through the 2022 fiscal year, USAID awarded CRS a whopping $4.6 billion in total funding, more than any other organization on the planet.President Donald Trump’s attacks on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has Catholic Relief Services (CRS) worried it may have to let half of its staff go, according to an internal email written by its CEO.“We anticipate that we will be a much smaller overall organization by the end of this fiscal year,” Sean Callahan reportedly said this week.News of...