In the Christ Child we see "the true face of the human being", Benedict XVI said at his general audience this morning (video). The German bishops have cancelled an independent inquiry into clerical abuse, saying that their trust in the researchers has been "destroyed". Half a million people took part in a procession honouring the Black Nazarene in the Philippines earlier today (video). Archbishop Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, will speak at a symposium on the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter in Houston next month. Michael McGough says there is no reason why the next United States ambassador to the Holy See should be Catholic. Giovanna Abbiati tells Zenit why she is bringing TED talks to the Vatican. And Christopher West explains why he went to see the film Les Misérables three times in its first week of release. Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day. The next Morning Catholic must-reads will be on Friday, January 11.