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Vatican magazine denounces sexual abuse of nuns by priests

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican's women's magazine is denouncing the sexual abuse of nuns by priests and the resulting scandal of religious sisters having abortions or giving birth to children who are not recognized by their fathers. The February issue of "Women Church World," a monthly magazine, on Friday cited Pope Francis' own analysis of abuse, saying that unchecked clerical power was at the root of the problem of priests preying on young children as well as adult nuns. It said nuns have been silenced for years by fear of retaliation against themselves or their orders if they ...

Ready, set grow Part 1

Towards the end of the New Testament of the Bible there is a fascinating book full of practical wisdom: the book of James. I highly recommend reading through James at least once a year. In most Bibles it is only several pages as it contains five short chapters. But, it is not a book to read through quickly. I recommend a chapter a day and reading the same chapter several days in a row. This is an intentional way to put yourself in position to receive wisdom from God. James is very “uncomfortable” reading as it is action-oriented and direct, forcing an authentic reader to evaluate ...

Our Lady of Grace to host Family Faith Night Amazing Race

Family Faith Night Amazing Race will be held February 6 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot. Volunteers will be dressed in costume depicting many of the titles of the Virgin Mary, including Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and others. Others will dress up as the Holy family or depict Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of Mary. Our Lady of Grace is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The family event is free and open to the public. There will be two sessions, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The activities will begin in ...

Pope brings World Youth Day to prisoners, hears confessions

LAS GARZAS, Panama (AP) — Pope Francis on Friday brought World Youth Day to Panama's juvenile delinquents, celebrating an emotional penitential liturgy inside the country's main youth prison since the inmates couldn't participate in the Catholic Church's big festival of faith outside. Fulfilling his belief that no one should be separated from God's mercy, Francis also heard the confessions of five inmates at the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center. At least one of them wept uncontrollably afterward. "There are no words to describe the freedom I feel in this moment," one of the ...

Pope wants bishops to punish sex abusers, not cover up cases

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is insisting that bishops attending his high-stakes sex abuse prevention summit will learn the laws to use against predators, how to care for victims and will make sure that no cleric abuse cases are covered up again. The Vatican on Wednesday provided details about the Feb. 21-24 meeting, saying its main aim is to guarantee that bishops around the world "clearly understand what they need to do to prevent and combat the worldwide problem of the sexual abuse of minors." Francis will attend the full summit, which includes plenary meetings, working ...

Russians plunge into icy waters to mark feast of Epiphany

MOSCOW (AP) — Across Russia, the devout and the daring are observing the Orthodox Christian feast day of Epiphany by immersing themselves in frigid water through holes cut through the ice of lakes and rivers. Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Jesus Christ as the incarnation of God through his baptism in the River Jordan. Russian believers imitate the baptism by entering the water and ducking themselves three times either on the evening before Epiphany or on that Jan. 19 feast day. Many make the sign of the cross, some others hold their noses. The ritual is watched by priests ...