Extracts - R.T.S. (Courtesy of the Catholic Times)

MEXICO CITY: A priest was stabbed at the altar while celebrating Mass in Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral. The priest, Fr. Miguel Angel Machorro, was stabbed three times, according to media reports. Fr. Machorro was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. His condition was listed as "delicate, but stable", according to media reports. In a tweet, Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera offered prayers for the injured priest, "so that he is healthy and returns to his normal duties". The suspect was arrested at the scene. Mexico City security officials said the suspect identified himself as John Rock Schild, an American citizen, approximately 28 years old and an artist.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis will celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ and the Corpus Christi procession on a Sunday— 18th June — and not on the traditional Thursday feast day, which is 15th June this year. Throughout Italy and in most other countries, the feast was transferred to the following Sunday years ago. The Pope celebrating on the Sunday "can strengthen the participation of the faithful in this solemn, public act of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament" said Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the papal vicar of Rome. Announcing the change, the cardinal said he hoped changing the date of the celebration to a non-work day would allow more people to participate in the traditional procession through Rome from the Basilica of St. John Lateran to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

BANGASSOU: A cardinal in Central African Republic called on international peacekeepers to act more effectively, after he helped end an anti-Muslim flare-up in the southeastern city of Bangassou. "In protecting civilians, this peacekeeping mission has only half fulfilled its role — I think its manner of acting has to be corrected," said Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga, president of the bishops' conference in the Central African Republic. "Although it's good United Nations forces secured the town, refugees from its mosque were left to their own devices for three days. You can't ask the population to take refuge in a particular place, and then just leave it to its sad fate." The cardinal was speaking after returning from four days in Bangassou, where at least 100 people died when heavily armed rebels attacked the town's Muslim quarter. Six UN peacekeepers were among the dead.

PITTSBURGH: An American bishop said he received hate mail for allowing Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day, which this year fell on a Friday during Lent. Pittsburgh's Bishop David Zubik touched on the subject and others during a Friday breakfast with reporters marking World Communications Day. Bishop Zubik says some Catholics wrote to tell him: "You're sending us to hell. Who do you think you are to be able to tell us we can eat meat?" He added that there is a need for less hatred and fear in the world.