Reflections on life, meaning and purpose

Another pope can take up priestly celibacy issue, says Francis (Aleteia)

“I don’t feel ready to reconsider it yet, but obviously it’s a matter of discipline, which has nothing to do with dogma,” the Pope said in one of a recent flurry of interviews. “Today it’s the case and tomorrow it may no longer be.” “We’ll see that the time will come when a pope, perhaps, […]

Police warn of potential Islamist attack on Vienna’s churches (AP)

“There is a nonspecific threat of an assault against churches,” according to Vienna’s police. “Points of interest have been put under increased guard by regular and special operation police forces, and “police officers are equipped with bulletproof helmets and vests and assault rifles.” The Archdiocese of Vienna announced that its churches would remain open. “While […]

Pope: Design of sacred architecture must flow from Church’s liturgy (Vatican News)

In an Italian-language message on the occasion of the 26th public session of the Pontifical Academies, Pope Francis called for “adequate spaces in which the Christian community can worthily celebrate the holy liturgy according to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.” The Pontiff conferred a gold medal on Studio OPPS for its renovation of […]

The Offering of Children to False Gods

One of our common values was once our desire to protect the innocence of children. We wanted to protect them against exposure to evil, shield them from harmful and self-destructive behaviors, and guard them against those who would abuse them. It’s the most minimal function of a society that calls itself civilized. Of course, we […]

The Starved Man Who Changed the World

Shoulder to shoulder in a chapel last weekend, nine young women stood in modest gray habits at the foot of a Mexican altar to proclaim the vows that would lead to their death. As two hundred or so teens sat behind them with teary eyes, the sisters slowly penned their names in consent to the […]