All Entries in the "Uncategorized" Category
Why is there a crisis in the confessional?
From Catholic Lane: In my last column, we began covering the sacrament of confession by stating that modern Catholicism suffers from a crisis of the confessional. Here on this site, on social media and in emails, readers have shared their thoughts with me on why this is so. According to the wisdom of the crowds, [...]
The Liturgical Cliff
Re-centering the ethos of the Mass on the solemn worship of God prompts fears of a “liturgical cliff” beyond which precious few pastors are willing to push. From The Catholic Thing: Advocates for a more dignified and reverent celebration of the Mass — this author among them — continue to pine for this or that reform that will refocus the liturgy, [...]
The Pill is Not Good for Women
From National Review: The recent Health and Human Services mandate and the ensuing debate appear to have pitted religious-liberty claims against women’s health. But because religious leaders (rightly) focused on the need for a religious exemption, it may appear to some observers that they are unable to articulate a reasoned and weighty response to the [...]
Battles Ahead in 2012
From Archdiocese of Washington: It is the first day, back to work for many of us after some delightful holy days, where we have been able to reflect on eternal and heavenly realities. And in this New Year we are going to have many blessings but also some important challenges. Among the challenges we will [...]
What hath ‘the spirit of Vatican II’ wrought?
By Matt C. Abbott: The following is a reprint of a chapter (minus endnotes) from Catholic attorney/scholar Peter B. Kelly’s book Cleansing Fire The chapter contains substantial information from another book: Index of Leading Catholic Indicators: The Church since Vatican II, authored by Kenneth C. Jones. Chapter 38 A Statistical Analysis “The message (of the [...]
He ran through the hail of bullets to rescue his best friend!
In preparation for Church Militant Boot Camp 2011, I want to begin with the inspirational story of Sgt. Giunta. The military’s ”Warrior Ethos” is: “I will never leave a fallen comrade.” I’d like us to begin by asking ourselves whether we have the same resolve when considering the “eternal lives” of our loved ones. Sgt. Salvatore Giunta [...]
Why Barack Obama has to be seen as an enemy of the Catholic Church
Opinion from across the pond and our friends from Catholic Herald.co.uk: Is Barack Obama the most anti-Catholic American president in living memory? I don’t mean, of course, that he has openly attacked the Church (though it was noted that, at his inauguration as president, contrary to normal practice there was among the clergy invited to [...]
Extraordinary Ministers No More *Gulp*
This past weekend I made one of those decisions in my two parishes that was very difficult, only in the sense that my own silly pride seems forever inclined to seek the approval of others. It was one of those decisions that I could’ve waited on … to see if many other parishes were doing this [...]
The Chattering Classes Are Us
Once again, George Weigel gets us thinking … Catholics once had an intuitive understanding of sacred space: To enter a church, especially in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, was to enter a different kind of environment, one of the hallmarks of which was a reverent silence. Some of that intuition remains. But much [...]
Purgatory inflames hearts with God’s love, Pope says
This from Catholic News Agency: Vatican City, Jan 12, 2011 / 02:57 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict continued his recent theme of reflecting on women saints during his weekly audience, highlighting St. Catherine of Genoa and her insights on Purgatory. The Pope said that St. Catherine – a 15th century Italian mystic – didn’t focus [...]
