Morning Catholic must-reads

The weekend’s big story was the Vatican’s response to the unprecedented police raid on the Belgian Church. Pope Benedict XVI described the police’s methods as “deplorable” and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said they were “unbelievable”. A lawyer for the Mechelen-Brussels archdiocese said the Church was considering legal action. But Belgian anti-paedophilia campaigner Fr Rik Devillè insisted the raids were “a good thing”. Rod Dreher says the Pope was wrong to speak out. And Fr Tim Finigan considers the state of the Belgian Church.

Archbishop Angelo Amato beatified the Maronite monk Estephan Nehmeh in Lebanon yesterday.

Pope Benedict urged the faithful to “contemplate the divine-human heart of the Lord Jesus” at his Angelus address yesterday (full text).

Cardinal Walter Kasper has confirmed his imminent retirement as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Ann Widdecombe will be the next British ambassador to the Holy See, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

The Pope has turned down an offer to appear on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day programme, the Telegraph suggests.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the UN in Geneva, has addressed the Human Rights Council on maternal mortality (full text).

Rocco Palmo says the Vatican’s year is ending on a diplomatic high note.

Valle Adurni wonders what will happen to church buildings if Anglicans accept the Pope’s offer.

John Coleman SJ hails an “almost perfect” film.

And James Preece predicts that the Pope will beatify Cardinal Newman in a red telephone box.

Morning Catholic must-reads

Bishop Kurt Koch of Basel is expected to be named president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, replacing Cardinal Walter Kasper.

Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples says he has forgiven his accusers after he was implicated in a corruption scandal.

A confidential file accusing Bishop Walter Mixa of alcoholism and sexual harassment has surfaced in Germany.

Caritas says that millions will face hunger in Niger as a result of food shortages.

Giovanni Maria Vian, editor of the L’Osservatore Romano, sums up the Year for Priests.

Edward Pentin says the Arabian peninsula is seeing a remarkable increase in its Christian population.

Valle Adurni hunts for the final, definitive version of the new translation of the Mass in English.

Peter Schineller SJ wonders why Benedict XVI is preparing to venerate the relics of St Celestine V.

The papal visit to Britain now has an official Twitter account and Facebook page.

And Mick Brown urges England fans to pray that the team’s Catholic manager, Fabio Capello, will find divine inspiration.

Morning Catholic must-reads

Turkey can be a bridge between the Christian and Muslim worlds, Pope Benedict XVI has told the country’s new ambassador to the Holy See (video here).

The Pope has personally thanked the security guards who ensure his safety (video).

Vietnamese police have used explosives to destroy a crucifix in a Catholic cemetery.

Talks between the Holy See and Israel are making progress.

An online petition against the beatification of Pius XII has been launched.

Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool has urged people to take extra care of their neighbours as Britain struggles with severe weather conditions.

A former archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church pays tribute to the late Mgr Graham Leonard, who inspired him to become a Catholic.

Valle Adurni welcomes the decision to award the Catholic Truth Society the contract for publishing the new Missal in England and Wales.

Mark Dowd worries that the “usual suspects” will dominate coverage of the Pope’s visit to Britain in September.

An American priest has jumped from a balcony after being accused of abuse.

Fr Robert Barron discusses the controversial relationship between faith and science (video).

A Catholic legal scholar argues that pornography should be treated as a public health hazard.

Headline Bistro reflects on the rise in the number of murders of missionaries in 2009.

Fr James Martin SJ explains how to find God in difficult times.

And L’Osservatore Romano praises the theology of Bono, the lead singer of U2.