For the church in 2011, there were moments of great joy and happiness that instilled in us a great sense of hope for the future. But, there were also moments of great struggle that forced us to seriously take a look at ourselves and think about where we could make improvements so that we can continue spreading the message of Christ’s salvation throughout the world.

This year’s Top Catholic Stories debuts with numbers ten through six.

10. Questions of Pope’s Health

In the last few months, the secular media went into a frenzy of sorts when Pope Benedict XVI began using a mobile platform during the processions at celebrations in St. Peter’s Basilica. Those within the media almost immediately started questioning whether Benedict XVI’s health was deteriorating.

The platform was first used by Benedict in October of this year. In advance of the Mass, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi issued a short statement informing the public that the platform was being utilized to reduce fatigue. For now there is nothing more to the story. However, that hasn’t stopped some from speculating about possible successors to Benedict. People need to relax, this is not that big of a deal. Popes are people and people get old–there is not much more to this story than that.

9. Vatican Use of Technology

This year, we saw the Vatican embrace new technology like it has not done in several years. From the launch of the Vatican’s news portal through the use of an iPad, the first ever tweet by a Pope, and to the revolutionary blogger meet-up, the Church is beginning to embrace the ever changing world of the internet and social media. But, is it too little, too late?

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Catholic Church has fallen behind churches of other faiths, who have been embracing new technology for decades. There is a lot of ground to make up. Hopefully the new evangelization will furthermore inspire and empower Catholics around the world—clergy and laity—to spread the Gospel message of Christ into cyberspace. However, if officials at the diocesan and parish levels refuse to venture into this world, we will lose an entire generation of people who rely on the internet and social media for news and information.

8. The Indictment of Bishop Finn

Bishop Finn | Credit: AP

On October 14th, Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was indicted by a county grand jury on the charge of failing to report the sexual abuse of a minor. The charge stems from the May arrest of a priest from the diocese, Father Shawn Ratigan, for possession of child pornography. According to several reports, diocesan officials knew Fr. Ratigan had such pictures in his possession and, rather than removing him from ministry immediately, moved him to a retreat center where he continued to have access to children. Following an independent review of its actions in regards to the Ratigan case, the diocese was found to be negligent in following its own guidelines in such cases. The review also disputed the claims made in media reports that Bishop Finn possessed any knowledge of the presence of child pornography by Father Ratigan.

Bishop Finn was able to avoid the indictment by entering into an agreement with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. According to the terms of the agreement, Finn must meet with the prosecutor every month for the next five years and provide details to what steps the diocese is taking to prevent sexual abuse of minors.

In a statement released after the agreement, Bishop Finn wrote: “I am grateful for this opportunity to resolve this matter and to further strengthen our diocesan commitment to the protection of children.” He added, “The children of our community must be our first priority. Each deserves no more and no less. I stand ready to do all within my power not only to satisfy this agreement but also to ensure the welfare and safety of all children under our care.”

7. Archbishop Chaput named head of Philadelphia Archdiocese

Credit: Charles Fox, Philly News

On July 19th, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Justin Cardinal Rigali and named Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput as the ninth archbishop of Philadelphia. The move, which had been widely speculated in the weeks prior, is being called the biggest news maker for episcopal appointments the United States has seen in years and rightfully so. In the months leading up to the appointment, the Philadelphia church had been rocked by new allegations of sexual abuse by priests and a grand jury investigation into the mishandling of abuse cases.

Dealing with difficult situations is not foreign to Archbishop Chaput. Throughout his tenure as shepherd of the Denver Archdiocese, Chaput developed the reputation of being swift, tough and no-nonsense. Based on the current situation in Philadelphia, a shepherd with this kind of reputation is what is needed. As our good friend over at Whispers in the Loggia put it, Chaput’s appointment as Philadelphia archbishop represents “nothing short of a hurricane.”

After his first few months on the job, Archbishop Chaput has already begun making quiet but substantial changes within the structure of the Archdiocese. As one person put, the place has been in bad shape for years and whatever Chaput does to change the current culture is welcome. My prayers continue for the people of Philadelphia and Archbishop Chaput.

6. World Youth Day Madrid

Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe

On August 16th, World Youth Day 2011 officially kicked off its ceremonies in Madrid, Spain with an opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela. World Youth Day was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Since then, the event has evolved into a week-long journey of spiritual growth and a massive celebration of global Catholicism.

This year, Pope Benedict came together with several hundred thousand youth from around the world to celebrate faith. At last count, over 2 million people participated in World Youth Day activities this year, making it the third most attended in history. Among those in attendance were 14,000 priests and 800 bishops who concelebrated the closing Mass with Pope Benedict XVI

During the event, pilgrims from around the world were given a special gift from the Holy Father–the YouCat. This particular book is a small catechism that provides young adults and youth with answers to the basic questions of our Catholic faith.

The most important realization that emerged from WYD Madrid was the vision of so many young people embracing and celebrating their faith in the public square. The youth of today are not afraid of standing up for their beliefs, displaying their faith to anyone they encounter. The youth are no longer the future of the Church…the youth ARE the Church. After seeing the images from Madrid this year, we can all be filled with tremendous hope and joy because Christ is working wonders throughout the world.

Today at 2 p.m. EST (8 p.m. in Spain), the events of World Youth Day 2011 will officially kick off with an opening Mass in Madrid´s Cibeles Square. The Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Madrid, Archbishop Antonio Rouco Varela.

In August 2010, Pope Benedict–who is expected to be in Madrid on Thursday–sent the following message to all the faithful planning to be in attendance for (or planning to follow) this year’s WYD events:

Dear Friends,

I often think back on the World Youth Day held in Sydney in 2008. There we had an experience of a great festival of faith in which the Spirit of God was actively at work, building deep communion among the participants who had come from all over the world. That gathering, like those on previous occasions, bore rich fruit in the lives of many young people and in the life of the whole Church. Now we are looking forward to the next World Youth Day, to be held in Madrid in August 2011. Back in 1989, several months before the historic fall of the Berlin Wall, this pilgrimage of young people halted in Spain, in Santiago de Compostela. Now, at a time when Europe greatly needs to rediscover its Christian roots, our meeting will take place in Madrid with the theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). I encourage you to take part in this event, which is so important for the Church in Europe and for the universal Church. I would like all young people – those who share our faith in Jesus Christ, but also those who are wavering or uncertain, or who do not believe in him – to share this experience, which can prove decisive for their lives. It is an experience of the Lord Jesus, risen and alive, and of his love for each of us.

1. At the source of your deepest aspirations

Below is the full translation of Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Urbi et Orbi message, courtesy of Vatican Radio.

“In resurrectione tua, Christe, coeli et terra laetentur!
In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and earth rejoice!” (Liturgy of the Hours).

Pope Benedict XVI delivers 'Urbi et Orbi' Message | Credit: AP

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and across the world, Easter morning brings us news that is ancient yet ever new: Christ is risen! The echo of this event, which issued forth from Jerusalem twenty centuries ago, continues to resound in the Church, deep in whose heart lives the vibrant faith of Mary, Mother of Jesus, the faith of Mary Magdalene and the other women who first discovered the empty tomb, and the faith of Peter and the other Apostles.

Right down to our own time – even in these days of advanced communications technology – the faith of Christians is based on that same news, on the testimony of those sisters and brothers who saw firstly the stone that had been rolled away from the empty tomb and then the mysterious messengers who testified that Jesus, the Crucified, was risen. And then Jesus himself, the Lord and Master, living and tangible, appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and finally to all eleven, gathered in the Upper Room (cf. Mk 16:9-14).

The resurrection of Christ is not the fruit of speculation or mystical experience: it is an event which, while it surpasses history, nevertheless happens at a precise moment in history and leaves an indelible mark upon it. The light which dazzled the guards keeping watch over Jesus’ tomb has traversed time and space. It is a different kind of light, a divine light, that has rent asunder the darkness of death and has brought to the world the splendour of God, the splendour of Truth and Goodness.

Six years ago today, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name Benedict XVI. Below, a reminder of what that day was like for Catholics around the world. Enjoy!

Even though our German Shepherd’s trip to the United Kingdom ended some two weeks ago, the impact of a such a trip is already making waves. Let’s reminisce a bit.

A special thanks to Marcello Marinoni for these pictures. You can follow Marcello on Twitter: @Bastapastamama.