Morning Catholic must-reads: 03/08/12

The Vatican has called for the worldwide Church to observe “a day of study dedicated to Vatican II documents” as it unveiled the full calendar of Year of Faith celebrations.

Benedict XVI has finished the final part of his work Jesus of Nazareth, the Vatican announced yesterday.

The Pope may now begin writing his fourth encyclical, which could be published during the Year of Faith, the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has said (video).

Four former US ambassadors to the Holy See have launched a “Catholics for Romney” group ahead of the American presidential election in November.

Catholic producer Audrey Sommers has won an Emmy award for Meghan’s Miracle, her film about a family caring for their seriously ill daughter (full film here).

Mgr Paul Tighe tells Brandon Vogt why the Vatican bought the “.catholic” top-level internet domain.

Michael Dunnigan argues that the US bishops’ statement on religious freedom, Our First, Most Cherished Liberty, marks an end to 50 years of “ill-conceived and verbose” episcopal pronouncements.

Fr Edward Oakes SJ accuses New Atheists of promoting “faith-based science”.

Olympian swimming champion Missy Franklin has said that she is considering becoming a Catholic.

And Fr Raymond de Souza claims that World Youth Day is “bigger, better and far cheaper than the Olympics“.

For updates throughout the day follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen