Morning Catholic must-reads: 21/07/11

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has said that groups in the Vatican and in Ireland are undermining efforts to tackle abuse after the Irish prime minister launched an unprecedented attack on the Vatican in parliament.

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee has urged Turkey to “return to their rightful owners” all churches and historic Christian sites.

The Holy See has said the United Nations must work “to achieve a strong, effective and comprehensive” new arms trade treaty.

Mac McLernon reports on a campaign to defend the seal of Confession in Ireland.

Terry Mattingly urges Archbishop-elect Charles Chaput of Philadelphia to give an interview to the New York Times.

Nineteen Sixty-four blog asks whether it’s easier to close a parish or open one.

And Dylan Parry advises German Catholics to “pray, pray and pray some more” ahead of Pope Benedict’s state visit in September.

The next Morning Catholic must-reads will be on Monday, July 25