Morning Catholic must-reads: 23/08/10

Benedict XVI asked Mary to intercede for peace in the world during yesterday’s feast of the Queenship of Mary (video).

Bishop Richard Williamson has claimed that Pope Benedict is willing to allow the SSPX to return to full communion with Rome without explicit acceptance of Vatican II.

Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad has said that America has “betrayed its duty to bring peace and security” to Iraq.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston/Houston has urged members of the House of Representatives to support the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.

Kenya’s Catholic bishops have denounced what they describe as “flawed moral issues” in their country’s new constitution.

Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston has welcomed the recovery of a relic of the True Cross stolen from his cathedral.

JRR Tolkien’s great nephew is sculpting a statue of Newman which will be placed in Cofton Park when the Pope beatifies the cardinal next month.

The Scottish Church will today unveil details of the altar, chair and lectern that will be used by Pope Benedict XVI when he celebrates Mass in Glasgow.

EWTN is preparing to offer live coverage of the Pope’s trip to Britain.

Church musician Jeffrey Tucker gives the thumbs-down to the music for the papal Hyde Park vigil on September 18.

Riazat Butt investigates why barbecues, booze and bulky hampers are banned from the big outdoor events of the Pope’s trip to Britain.

Mgr Charles Pope considers the significant last-minute changes to the new English translation of the Mass.

Atheist Padraig Reidy says he is disturbed by the intensity of anti-Catholic rhetoric in Britain.

Lawyer Alfred Lambremont Webre tells Iran’s Press TV that “investigators should start looking at the Catholic Church as a possible ‘satanic organisation’”.

Andrew M Brown wonders if there are too many extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.

Secular News Daily compares the figures for people switching religion in Britain and the United States.

And John Anderson says Hollywood hasn’t given up trying to capitalise on the success of the Passion of the Christ.