Morning Catholic must-reads: 07/02/12

Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, urged the world’s bishops to take “a more proactive approach” to tackling clerical abuse at an unprecedented Vatican conference yesterday (full text).

Irish abuse victim Marie Collins told the conference this morning that “apologising for the actions of the abusive priests is not enough“.

Contrary to reports, 83-year-old Cardinal-designate Karl Josef Becker SJ will receive his red hat at the consistory in Rome on February 18.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali argues that Christians in the Muslim world are facing “a rising genocide”.

Robert George and Carter Snead argue that American abortion provider Planned Parenthood has taken breast cancer victims hostage.

And leading Catholic blogger Rocco Palmo pays tribute to his late “spiritual father” and “ever-caring friend”.