Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes
Photo: Catholic News Agency 
Arsonist arrested after burning down US church
After a fire destroyed Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes in the early hours of December 11 the suspected arsonist was arrested. He was receiving burn treatment at a local hospital prior to his court hearing.
“We are thankful for the efforts of the police, firefighters and public safety workers who immediately responded to calls and battled the blaze during frigid conditions to try and save Most Blessed Sacrament Church,” said a statement from the Newark Archdiocese.
James Mayers, a 26-year-old local resident, was arrested at the scene of the fire that had been set with a cigarette lighter and gasoline. He was charged with first-degree aggravated arson and third-degree burglary, it is reported.
Questions raised over Indian priest accused of fraud
A Catholic priest accused of fraud in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.
Ucanews.org has reported that Fr Anand Muttungal, a priest of the Archdiocese of Bhopal, was arrested at his residence by officials of the Economic Offense Wing, a special branch of the Madhya Pradesh police department that investigates financial cases. After his arrest, he appeared before a court and was remanded into custody until December 26.
Richard James, a spokesman for Fr Muttungal, described the priest’s arrest as illegal and arbitrary and said the priest was a victim of a large conspiracy.
“He will come out clean from the charges against him, and the real culprits will be exposed,” he said.
US prelates condemn ‘violent’ anti-semitic shooting
The US bishops’ conference has condemned the anti-semitic shooting at a kosher market in Jersey City earlier this week, reiterating the Church’s absolute condemnation of anti-semitism.
“The recent attack on a kosher market in Jersey City, alongside many other recent hateful and at times violent actions, have highlighted the importance of, once again, publicly condemning any and all forms of anti-semitism whether in thought, word or action,” said Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton, chair of the US bishops’ ecumenical and interreligious affairs committee.
Iraqi cardinal mutes Christmas celebrations due to violence
Christmas celebrations among Iraqi Christians will be subdued this year in a show of solidarity with anti-government protesters. “Morally and spiritually we cannot celebrate in such an atmosphere of tension,” Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, told the Associated Press. About 400 people have been killed by the country’s security forces since protests broke out on October 1.
“It’s not normal to celebrate our joy and happiness while others are dying. That doesn’t work,” said Sako. “We cannot make a big feast when our country is in a critical situation.”
Costa Rican bishop voices concerns of new abortion decree
Costa Rica’s president has issued a technical decree that defines the conditions under which a doctor may perform an abortion when doctors consider it necessary to preserve the life of the mother.
President Carlos Alvarado last Thursday signed the decree that, while not changing any laws, lays out how a woman may legally choose abortion in some circumstances.
Bishop José Manuel Garita Herrera of Ciudad Quesada spoke out against the decree and urged respect for both lives – that of the mother and of the child in her womb.
“To doctors, my call is also that, faithful to the principle and vocation to which they have consecrated themselves, allow them to place their gifts at the service of the mother and her son,” Bishop Herrera said.
