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.

Credit: Rome Reports

We welcome the desire of our brother Agostino Cardinal Vallini,
our vicar general for the diocese of Rome,
many of our brothers in the episcopate
and of many faithful
and after obtaining the opinion
of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints,
with our Apostolic authority
we concede that the Venerable Servant of God,
John Paul II, pope,
shall be called henceforth blessed
and that his celebration can be held in the places
under rules established by law,
each year on October 22.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Pope John Paul II

This morning, Pope Benedict XVI approved a miracle that paves the way for Pope John Paul II to be beatified. The miracle, which was unanimously approved by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on January 11, 2011, signifies the final step in the beatification process. According to the Congregation, there was no natural explanation for the healing of Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre (member of the Congregation of Little Sisters of Catholic Maternity Wards) from Parkinson’s disease.

Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005 at the age of 84. During his funeral Mass, many in the crowd were heard shouting, “Santo Subito!”—“Saint Immediately!” Shortly after his election as the successor of JPII, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the mandatory five year waiting period for the process of sainthood to begin had been waved. Since that time, the Vatican has been advancing, rather rapidly, through each of the steps.

The beatification ceremony, which will be presided over by Pope Benedict XVI, is set to take place on May 1, 2011.

If you are expecting to travel to Rome for the ceremony, buy your tickets now! This gathering is expected to be one of the largest the Vatican has ever seen; hotels and airplane tickets are going to be extremely hard to come by. If you are unable to attend, you can count on viewing the ceremony on television and the internet.

On a personal note, I have always been inspired by Pope John Paul II. Throughout his pontificate, the late Papież always encouraged young people to consider giving their lives to the service of the church. He always told us that God was calling us to serve; God was calling us to give of ourselves; God was calling us to love. His most inspiring words were straight out of the gospel: “Be not afraid.”

Source: Thomas Aquinas College

It has certainly been a busy morning on the Catholic side of the blogosphere!! This morning, the musings about Cardinal Marc Ouellet heading to Rome as the Prefect for the Congregation for Bishops and head of the Commission for Latin America were confirmed when he was appointed to those positions by Benedict XVI. For the first time, the most important posts in the Roman Curia (Vatican Secretary of State, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Congregation for Bishops) are headed by two North Americans. [The CDF is headed by Cardinal Levada.]

Cardinal Ouellet has served as the Archbishop of Quebec since November of 2002, when he was appointed to the post by Pope John Paul II. During his days as a student, Ouellet studied philosophy at the Ecole Normale d’Amos, earning a Bachelor of pedagogy from Laval University in 1964. For his theological studies, the Cardinal attended the Grand Seminary of Montreal, receiving a degree in theology from the University of Montreal. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Amos on May 25, 1968.

Since his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, Ouellet has attended various other universities, obtaining degrees in philosophy from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) and a doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Gregorian University.