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aSpire: News from the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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August 31, 2018
Brett and Bridget Hutchinson of St. Thomas More in St. Paul, Minn., pray with other young adults gathered on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Paul Aug. 20 during a vigil against sexual abuse by clergy. (CNS / Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit)

Seeking answers

News you might have missed in 200 words


Sexual abuse of minors by priests has reemerged as a topic that is being discussed at every level of the Church. This summer we learned of credible charges that a retired U.S. cardinal abused young boys and seminarians. Then the Pennsylvania Attorney General released a grand jury report that says more than 1,000 children were abused by priests in the state over the past 70 years.

Just this week the former papal nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, accused Pope Francis of concealing knowledge of the retired cardinal's actions and called for the pope to resign. Pope Francis replied that people can judge the claims for themselves.

The president of the USCCB, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said in an Aug. 27 statement that the questions raised by Archbishop Vigano's letter "deserve answers that are conclusive and based on evidence."

Cardinal DiNardo said the Church's path toward addressing sexual abuse began in 2002 but there is lots more that needs to be done. "We will do better. The more she is buffeted by storms, the more I am reminded that the Church's firm foundation is Jesus Christ. The failures of men cannot diminish the light of the Gospel."

Gotta love millennials 


You can't help but be inspired by the young adults profiled recently in Arkansas Catholic. This is the third year that the newspaper has sought out recommendations of 18-to-30-year-old parishioners who are doing great things in their parish, school or ministry. Like Kevin Azanza and Jessica Nyden, who are dating and volunteering for their parish's young adult ministry in Rogers. Or Adriana Aguilar, who moved to Arkansas only 10 months ago but is already having an impact in her parish in Nashville. Or Garrett Bannister, a recent college grad who is leading youth faith formation in Fort Smith. Pick up a copy of the Aug. 25 issue of Arkansas Catholic to read all the profiles or visit the Arkansas Catholic website.
 

QUOTE UNQUOTE

"I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by many minors due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by a significant number of clerics and consecrated persons."

— Pope Francis, Aug. 20

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Just one minute

“Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) I recently read that St. Thomas Aquinas said that the hatred of wickedness actually belongs to the virtue of love. It seems we can get comfortable with sin, ours and others. To detest or hate our sin makes sense. Think of the last time you ate that food you hate. We can be way too comfortable with our sins.

Reflection: Spend some time today with God and together take a loving look at your personal sin. Where do you need to grow in detecting them as an act of love? 
— Deacon Danny Hartnedy

September Datebook

1-2: Hispanic Youth Ministry Region X meeting, Little Rock

3: Labor Day, diocesan offices and schools closed

5: St. Teresa of Kolkata Feast Day Mass, Little Rock

7: Slay the 5K and Fun Run, Rogers

7-9: Permanent Diaconate Formation Weekend (Bilingual), Little Rock

8: Day of Remembrance for the Unborn

14-16: Retrouvaille weekend, Little Rock

See more events

New seminarians


Four young men have been accepted to study as seminarians for the Diocese of Little Rock. They come from Little Rock, North Little Rock and Jonesboro. 

With nine new priests ordained in the past year, the diocese's seminarian count has dropped to 22 this fall.

DAVE SAYS

Bearing a burden 

Do you believe the adult child of a senior citizen, who is physically and mentally healthy but has neglected to plan for retirement, should be burdened with providing financial assistance to that parent?

Read the full story ...

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