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After a lengthy legal battle, a secular group will be permitted to install a mock Nativity display at the Texas Capitol. The scene mimics the traditional Nativity scene. But instead of the Holy Family, it features the Statue of Liberty as the Blessed Mother, and the founding fathers surrounding the Bill of Rights in a manger.
The pope has named a new prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy. The 69-year-old bishop is the first Korean to lead a Vatican congregation. He succeeds an Italian Cardinal, who led the dicastery beginning in 2013. The dicastery oversees the world’s diocesan priests and deacons.
The Vatican issued a decree today, setting limits on the terms of leaders of international associations of the faithful, and new communities. The new decree limits the terms of office in the central governing body to a maximum of five years, with one person being able to hold positions at the international governing level for no more than 10 years consecutively.
Pope Francis Thursday urged a group of Italian seminarians to avoid rigidity, which he said lacks humanity, and encouraged them to ask God for the gift of docility. The pope spoke about the qualities of a good seminarian and priest, in a meeting with the students, rector, and formators of the Pius XI regional pontifical seminary, located in central Italy.
Today is the feast of Saint Barnabas. The apostle and missionary was among Christ's earliest followers, and was responsible for welcoming St. Paul into the Church.