Catholics attend eucharistic
adoration service outside St.
Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi,
Vietnam, June 2. Photo: OSV
News/Reuters Pope Francis and Female Deacons
When Bishop Alan McGuckian said he wished Pope Francis had said a clear ‘No’ to women deacons, I too like the bishop, was under the impression that the Pope had left the door open. But we were both wrong. Theologian and Synod expert Fr Eamonn Conway has said that Pope Francis was consistent in opposing ordination of women to the diaconate and clearly says ‘No’ in an EWTN interview. Often we think a message is heard but it has to go out over and over again to get traction and even bishops and journalists can miss it!
Caught in a trap
For anyone who has kids they know (and the people who write books for the sub-10 age group) that bodily functions are endlessly entertaining for small children. Trying to broaden my kids musical tastes beyond Disney themes I tried to introduce them to some light Elvis numbers (there’s a new documentary out called EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, made up of rare audio and long-lost footage.) To pique the kids interest I (now regretfully) mentioned that Elvis had died on the loo. They couldn’t believe it and are obsessed with such an ignominious end. Now every time I play music the inevitable question is “Is that the man who died on the loo?” Epic fail for me.