Links: Cincinnati Men's Conference; fragmenting Trumpism; airport design award
Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Archbishop Schnurr, call your office; comparing Trumpism to the Reformation, and the Affordable Care Act to Build Back Better; VP Kamala Harris’ home run.
Francis, the comic strip
Francis, the comic strip: 2022 comes blowing in.
Why Are There Stairs? Philosophical Lessons on Freedom
Why Are There Stairs? William J. Bennett, former Secretary of Education, under President Reagan, came to the conclusion during his tenure in office that most of education consists in restating the obvious. I shall begin this essay with the question, “Why Are There Stairs”? This should not be a difficult question to answer, though I […]
102 African Orthodox clergy enter Moscow Patriarchate (Orthodox Times)
Over 100 clergy of the Patriarchate of Alexandria (CNEWA profile), who minister in eight African nations, have left their Patriarchate for the Moscow Patriarchate. Both patriarchates are among the 15 autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches. The Moscow Patriarchate has created the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, along with the Diocese of North Africa and the Diocese of […]
Ecumenical Patriarch hospitalized with Covid, is in good condition (National Herald)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches, is recovering in an Istanbul hospital from Covid. According to a Greek-American newspaper, “everything goes well, the Patriarch is in good spirits, he works intensively in the hospital on various documents and letters.” Born in 1940, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was installed in […]
Montenegro’s deputy PM meets with Pope, invites him to visit nation (Government of Montenegro)
The Southeast European nation of 600,000 (map) is 80% Christian (71% Eastern Orthodox) and 17% Muslim.
Israeli president meets with Christian leaders, declares commitment to freedom of worship (Jerusalem Post)
Earlier this month, the Israeli government angrily rejected a statement by the nation’s Christian leaders protesting against violence by Jewish extremist groups. “In a state committed to the historic rights of the various religious communities, as well as to religious freedom, we cannot but call out the activities in Jerusalem of fringe radical groups who […]
Chinese bishops, priests brief Hong Kong clerics on Xi’s view of religion (Reuters)
Chinese bishops met with leading Hong Kong clerics on October 31, in what Reuters described as “Beijing’s most assertive move yet in its attempts to influence Hong Kong’s diocese.” “The pressure is building on us in Hong Kong,” said a participant in the meeting. “We are going to have to be clever to resist.”
22 Catholic missionaries slain in 2021 (Fides)
The 22 slain missionaries include 13 priests, a religious brother, 2 religious sisters, and six lay missionaries, according to Fides, the news agency of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization Peoples. Their stories are told in this Word document, also published by Fides.
Suicide Implants and Pods: Quandaries of ‘Choice’ at the End of Life
Ratel Sarco, a device created for euthanasia invented by Philip Nitschke. COMMENTARY: The entire logic of “choice” in connection with euthanasia requires more flexibility than an Olympic gymnast.