Chicago Cardinal Suffers Setback in Recovery

CHICAGO — Chicago Cardinal Francis George returned to intensive care at Loyola University Medical Center Aug. 5, after some bleeding was discovered as he recovers from cancer surgery.

On July 27 Cardinal George, 69, had a five-hour operation to remove his bladder, prostate gland and sections of his ureters — the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder — at the hospital in Maywood, Ill. Just before midnight that night, he went back into surgery after his blood pressure became unstable; doctors found a small bleeding artery and closed it off. A few days later he was moved to a general medical/surgical wing.

On Aug. 5 the Archdiocese of Chicago announced in a brief statement that the cardinal had that morning undergone an upper endoscopy and other tests to investigate what was described as “usually minor” bleeding that tends to stop on its own.        

(CNS)

Knights’ Resolutions Address Deterioration in Culture

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Knights of Columbus’ 124th annual convention in Orlando closed with a memorial Mass celebrated by Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., the Knights’ supreme chaplain, and a reaffirmation of its members’ faith in the form of resolutions aimed at stemming what they consider the deterioration of the American values-based culture.

The Knights adopted resolutions on marriage, life issues, the Pledge of Allegiance, school choice and decency in the media and the Internet, and also expressed support for the U.S. armed forces.

In his homily, Bishop Lori invoked the spirit of the Knights’ founder, Father Michael McGivney, a candidate for sainthood. “From his place in eternity, Father McGivney continues to teach us how to live the principles of our order — charity, unity and fraternity,” Bishop Lori said.

“Every time we talk about the principles of the order, we’re talking about Father McGivney,” Bishop Lori said. “We’re talking about a parish priest who exemplified those ideals, and it inspires us and teaches us how to live them from eternity.”

(CNS)

Music Ministers: Don’t Get Mad. Be Glad

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Music ministers should focus on building bridges and creating unity, speakers said at the National Association of Pastoral Musicians’ Western Regional Convention in Sacramento Aug. 1-4.

The principle that all are one in the body of the Lord is more important than cultural, ideological, musical or liturgical differences, they said. “We need to resist going down the black hole of anger regarding how we translate our texts, what we will sing, or which musical styles are most appropriate for our Masses,” said liturgical composer David Haas in an opening keynote Aug. 1. About 600 people, mostly church musicians but some liturgists and clergymen as well, attended the convention.      

(CNS)