Morning Catholic must-reads: 02/07/10

The New York Times claims that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had authority over abuse cases from 1922 but only exercised its powers in 2001. Fr Z responds.

David Cameron has reportedly dropped plans to change the law barring Catholics from the monarchy.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien outlines what the Pope will do in Scotland in September.

Ian Paisley has said the state visit to Britain is a “mistake“.

The Vatican published decrees on 43 Causes of canonisation yesterday (video).

Rocco Palmo reports on the first public remarks of the new prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

An Australian priest has described himself as a “scumbag paedophile” in court.

John Allen ponders the relationship between Benedict XVI and Cardinal Bertone.

Splintered Sunrise considers the meaning of the meeting between Pope Benedict, Cardinal Schönborn and Cardinal Sodano.

And the Vatican newspaper claims that football was invented in Paraguay.