News from around the Church and the world…

Pope Leo has called for a meeting of the presidents of the world’s bishops’ conferences to Rome in October. The topic? The controversial document Amoris laetitia, Pope Francis’s document on the family that opened the door for divorced-and-remarried Catholics to receive Communion. My (unrealistic) hope is that they decide to scrap it completely. Beyond the infamous footnote 351, the whole thing is a mess, and reflects a remaking of Jesus into a modern image.

Clergy Spine Alert! Father Jakob Rolland faces prison in Iceland. Why? Because he defended Catholic teaching on homosexuality, which is verboten in Europe these days. But he’s not backing down, saying he will “fight for the Lord.” More like this, please!

In the highest-ranking resignation in years, Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center and close MAGA ally Joe Kent resigned from his post. He made clear his two-fold reason: “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” While I know he’ll be maligned by supporters of the war (rather than addressing his concerns), he’s a hero in my book. I hope more resignations follow (are you listening, Tulsi Gabbard?).

I’m loving my Ignatius Study Bible, Personal Size. No one would mistake it for a small bible, but it’s a convenient size when doing serious study of the Scriptures at a desk. The commentary is wonderful and helps bring out deeper meanings of the Word of God. You can get one here. I personally recommend the hardback instead of the leather cover.

Death doesn’t take Chuck Norris; Chuck Norris permits Death to come. Legend Chuck Norris is dead at the age of 86. Although we can all have fun with jokes about how tough Chuck Norris was, it’s a good reminder that all of us—without exception—will one day face death. Memento mori!