Our Takes Daily

Too much Christmas revelry

The Guardian

A growing number of Catholic churches in the United Kingdom are cancelling midnight mass and holding Christmas Eve services earlier in the evening due to fears of disruption from drunken revelers. Clergy are also concerned about worshippers trying to make their way home in the face of the threat of street violence and drunken driving. More info>

Gay unions in Uruguay

BBC News

Uruguay's congress has approved a bill which would allow civil unions for both gay and unmarried straight couples. It is the first country in Roman Catholic-dominated Latin America to approve such a measure nationwide. Several cities across Latin America, including Buenos Aires and Mexico City, have recently adopted similar measures. More info>

'Homies' get holier

The Los Angeles Times

David Gonzales, creator of the popular "Homies" figurines, has been featured in national magazines and has made millions through his toys. However, thanks to his brother, Father Masseo Gonzales, he knows that he has a higher responsibility to use his talents for good. That's why he has helped his brother's online ministry and created "Santos," a line of figurines of saints and religious figures, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe and Pope John Paul II. (Our Sunday Visitor profiled Father Masseo and his El Padrecito's Online Church in its May 22, 2005 issue.) More info>