Wisdom Wednesday | July 9th

Here’s a start for your Wisdom Wednesday: “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” That’s from Vladimir Ilyich Lenin but it could apply to floods and famine and changing times. CORPUS, the organization for married priests, closes its door. Anglicans appear open to Catholic-like relics and shrines. The pope goes on vacation, pre-Francis style. In a Colorado church they say, “It’s not just a bunch of people doing drugs . . . . it is more about the community than the substances.”

Pope Leo XIV

After more than a decade without its most famous vacationer, the quiet town of Castel Gandolfo once again counts the pope among its summer residents. National Catholic Reporter says Pope Leo XIV became the 16th pope to reside in the papal summer residence when he moved there July 6.

NCR also reports he will take “plenty of summer homework with him“. Religion News Service offers a look at Castel Gandolfo’s “pilgrims, bikers and locals eager to see him. But first, Pope Leo will celebrate a Mass for the Care of Creation on today (July 9) using a new formulary of the Roman Missal dedicated to the “Care for Creation”.

Protecting minors

Pope Leo XIV’s appointment of the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors shows that safeguarding remains a top priority, its former president said.

“Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has affirmed the continued priority of the commission’s work for the universal church, said Cardinal Seán O’Malley, quoted by National Catholic Reporter.

The Francis effect

The Catholic Church’s approval of blessings of couples in same-sex relationships “will remain” under Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Vatican’s doctrine office told an Italian reporter in a brief interview on July 3, according to National Catholic Reporter. U.S. Catholic points out that America’s record military spending defies Pope Francis’ final warnings.

Wars, words and the world

The church cannot bless war. The Christian Century offers commentary: “A Christianity that affirms the state’s wars is not Christianity. It is idolatry.’

Trump and Netanyahu may take a victory lap on Iran, but the Gaza war looms over their meeting. The Associated Press reports that “Trump has made clear that following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, he would like to see the Gaza conflict end soon.

Russia’s ‘Sacrilegious War’ shatters Orthodox unity and prompts response from Pope Leo. The National Catholic Register offers this commentary: Despite what desires remain in Rome for full communion, it is a complete impossibility when the two most important Orthodox patriarchates are not in communion with each other.”

“Have you changed your mind about President Trump?” Jewish columnist Jeffery Salkin responds, “In a word, no. But . . . .“ Religion News Service offers Salkin’s commentary on the bombing of Iran and other matters.

A call to resist the rising tide of authoritarianism and Christian nationalism emanating from Washington, D.C. Religion News Service offers a writer’s opinion, that “Once the church of presidents, the Episcopal Church must now be an engine of resistance.”

A Texas mega-church — maybe a MAGA-Church. Prestonwood Baptist Church worship service the songs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, with sounds of explosions and jets flying overhead, American flags and official branch seals displayed on the screens. Commanders from each branch stood on the stage and saluted the congregation. The report from Baptist News Global.

Amnesty International says Israel and aid system use starvation to commit Gaza genocide. Israel’s foreign minister denounced the Amnesty report, saying the organization has “joined forces with Hamas and fully adopted all of its propaganda lies.” From Religion News Service.

European Christian media calls for “end of Gaza genocide.” The extermination of the Palestinians and the annexation of the Gaza Strip by Israel are deplorable, they say, in a report from UCA News.

Bishop, priests face pastoral challenges in Myanmar. UCA News reports some priests celebrate Masses under trees as they have abandoned their parish church, fearing junta bombardment

More anti-LGBTQ laws ‘on the way’

The June Supreme Court ruling upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors is a signal that more anti-LGBTQ legislation is on the way, said Orion Rummler, reporter for The 19th, an independent nonprofit news organization.

“We’ve seen an explosion in state-level anti-LGTBQ laws,” Rummler said

Effort to take back citizenship already granted

That is now a top priority of the U.S. Justice Department, according to a memorandum recently made public and reported by Baptist News Global. “President Trump and Attorney General (Pam) Bondi have directed the Civil Division to use its enforcement authorities to advance the administration’s policy objectives,” Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate explained in the June 11 directive.

Catholic Mass offered in Anglican home cathedral

In a pre-event story, Religion News Service studies what seems to be UK vogue for saints’ relics. The July 7 event at Anglicanism’s home cathedral in Canterbury “is evidence of a growing interest in shrines, saints and relics in the Church of England, often abetted by local Catholics.

Inside Colorado’s psychedelic church

“What makes this place magical is not the mushrooms” says a report from Religion News Service and National Public Radio. As psychedelics are decriminalized in Colorado, one unconventional church is building community in the basement of a suburban home.

Battling closure of historic Brooklyn church

‘I’m like, not again!’ said one parishioner of the historic St. Teresa of Avila Church, who moved there after her previous church in the neighborhood was closed. Religion News Service reports on the battle.

Catholic priesthood

Arlington Diocese defies trends and ordains its largest class of Catholic priests in decades. From National Catholic Reporter.

CORPUS, a group for married priests, disbands after 50 years. National Catholic Reporter looks at thw group, originally founded as the “Corps of Reserved Priests United for Service.”

‘Curly haired Italian kid’ is ‘the unlikely first millennial saint’

15-year old Carlo Acutis inspires a new generation of Catholics, says National Catholic Reporter. He died of acute myeloid leukemia on Oct. 12, 2006. He could not have known at the time that he would inspire thousands of believers of all ages to venerate “God’s influencer.

Chronological list of the Doctors of the Church

What does it mean to be a “doctor of the church?” Who has been designated this title and why? If you have wondered about these matters, US Catholic offers some answers.

Is there a list of infallible teachings?

Most Catholics have a pet list of teachings that they wish would be declared infallibly, or ex cathedra. Odds are that these often revolve around hot-button issues like women’s ordination, gay marriage, or the reform of the liturgy. US Catholic answers the question: there is no such list.

What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?

Of the many times the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned in both the Older and the Newer Testaments, only one text, from the Prophet Ezekiel, specifies the precise nature of that sin. “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” The citation is part of an analysis of the “big beautiful bill,” published by Baptist News Global.

Tribute to Bill Moyers

“When I saw the news of Bill Moyers dying, I felt all the oxygen left my office. Never has one person spoken more truth to power than Moyers,” said Rodney W. Kennedy, a pastor and writer in New York state, published by Baptist News Global. “I never have read a word or heard a message that wasn’t true.”

Justice Bulletin Board

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.