PRIESTS IN THE NEWS:

Archbishop Pietro Sambi, US papal nuncio, dead at 73.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops announced that Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to the US died on Wednesday, July 27, at John Hopkins University Medical Center in Baltimore. An “Advisory” posted by the apostolic nunciature in Washington, DC earlier in the week stated the archbishop had been “placed on assisted ventilation to attempt recovery of his lung function.” As of this writing funeral arrangements were pending.
 
For the USCCB Media Release, go to:
http://usccb.org/comm/archives/2011/11-150.shtml.
 
For USCCB president Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s and other prelate’s statements, go to:
http://usccb.org/sambi-remembered-statements.shtml.
 
For the Catholic News Service report, go to:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102989.htm.  

Oklahoma City archdiocese marks 30th anniversary of death of Father Stanley Rother

Father Stanley Rother, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City was shot to death in his rectory where he served as pastor in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala on July 28, 1981. His cause for sainthood is now before the Vatican as he was declared Servant of God before the Universal Church. A pilgrimage to Guatemala, which will include Archbishop Paul Coakely, Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran, and Little Rock Bishop Anthony Taylor, began on July 23, and will include daily Mass with two memorial Masses set for July 28, the day Father Rother was killed.  The heart of Father Rother is buried beneath the altar in Santiago Atitlan. For the entire story of the commemoration of Father Rother’s 30th anniversary of death, go to:
http://www.catharchdioceseokc.org/sooner/SC%207-17-2011.pdf. Scroll to pages 4-6.   

Irish priests reflect on effects of Cloyne Report

For a reflection on how Irish priests are reacting to the effects of publication of the Cloyne Report on clergy sexual abuse, go to: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/0723/1224301177540.html.