Pope Francis asks: was Paul VI a martyr? (Vatican News)
Pope Francis writes that “I have often wondered whether this pope should not be considered a martyr,” in his preface to a new book on Pope Paul VI. The Pope explained that during in the turmoil and “spiritual tension” that occurred after Vatican II, Paul VI told Vatican officials: “This is our crown of thorns.” […]
Cardinal reports ‘negative reactions from the ecumenical world’ to Fiducia Supplicans (Vatican News)
Cardinal Kurt Koch, the prefect of the Dicastery for Christian Unity, reports: “I’m getting some negative reactions from the ecumenical world about Fiducia Supplicans, in an interview posted on the German-language web site of Vatican News. Cardinal Koch said that Orthodox churches in particular were concerns about the new Vatican document, which raised “newly acute” […]
At WEF forum, Cardinal Turkson calls for new economic model (Vatican News)
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Cardinal Peter Turkson is urging world leaders to adopt the vision of Pope Francis for a new economic order. The cardinal—who is chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences—told Vatican News that it is “imperative for businesses to contribute to society beyond their own profit maximization.” […]
Every Person on Earth (Including You) Is Either in a State of Grace, or a State of Mortal Sin…
In recent moral teaching, it has become clear that the gravity of a person living in sin — of being in a state of sin — has been eclipsed by poor theology, wishful thinking and naïve pastoral practice. Whether we’re discussing Holy Communion for the divorced and remarried, or the blessing of same-sex couples, or […]
Why I’m dubious about “dialogue” — a much-used term that has lost its biblical meaning…..
Dubious about Dialogue – A Reflection on a much used term that has lost its Biblical meaning. There is much emphasis today on the concept of “dialogue.” Most English speakers simply equate the word with “discussion” and English-speaking Catholics hear a lot about how the Church should be in “dialogue” with the world. Of itself […]
Second Argentine Bishop in Row Resigns Before Installation…
Pope Francis accepted the resignation Jan. 17 of 62-year-old Bishop Gustavo Larrazábal, 35 days after he appointed him as Bishop of Mar del Plata, in eastern Argentina, and just three days before Larrazábal’s installation. The pope had nominated Larrazábal on the day that he accepted the resignation of 65-year-old Bishop José María Baliña, 22 days […]
Some light reading for today… or not so light…
If you are interested in some commentary… Damian Thompson of perhaps the best audio podcast title ever, Holy Smoke, HERE. He’s brutal. Gerhard Card. Müller gave an interview to Crisis Magazine about papal authority, HERE Refreshing clarity. Also from Crisis…. … Read More →
There’s Some Good in This Church and It’s Worth Fighting For
It’s been a month since the release of Fiducia Supplicans, and faithful Catholics can be forgiven if that scandalous document put a damper on their Christmas spirit. After all, it’s yet another scandal coming out of a Vatican full of them lately, and it’s easy for Catholics to become demoralized in the face of this […]
Bishop Schneider publishes new prayer begging God for ‘an era of holy popes’
Published on the feast of St. Peter’s Chair in Rome, Bishop Schneider’s prayer asks that, ‘Through an era of holy popes, may the Holy See… always shine as the cathedra of truth for the whole world.’
US support for Israel is destroying America’s power and prestige around the world
‘The sad thing about all this is, from an American point of view, that the United States is completely complicit in all of these war crimes,’ former Ambassador Chas Freeman said.