Today's blog post is an excerpt from my book Beheading Hydra: A Radical Plan for Christians in an Atheistic Age The idea that progress is always good springs from the enlightenment thinkers of the eighteenth century. Voltaire (d.1778) believed science and rationalism would inevitably bring about material progress. Immanuel Kant (d.1804) was less optimistic, but believed humanity [...]
I am often asked my opinion about girl altar servers--yea or nay? Readers of my blog and of my book Letters on Liturgy and anyone who attends Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary, Greenville will know of my preference and opinion--and that is "nay" But why do we have all altar boys? I am very aware that, [...]
Fr Thomas Reese S.J has suggested that the upcoming synod can change church teaching on women's ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. It's worth examining this claim by reviewing the history of this divisive proposal. The campaign for women's ordination began in the Lutheran and Anglican churches in the post war period. C.S.Lewis wrote an excellent [...]
I have hesitated to write or speak about the upcoming Synod on Synodality for several reasons. First, I really do try to be open minded and give projects and people the benefit of the doubt. The Synod on Synodality is proposed. Let's not jump to conclusions. Let's give it a fair hearing. Let's try to be [...]
It is interesting that Pope Francis, in a recent interview has called for priests to be normal guys who play soccer rather than "preaching dogma". The Holy Father's opposition to dogma would seem to fit with his appreciation of ambiguity and a generally fuzzy approach to all things Catholic. By blurring distinctions and erasing boundaries, a [...]
Sola Fide is one of the famous Protestant "solas". It means "Faith Alone" and is the expression of the Protestant belief that we are saved by faith alone. This statement is a clear rejection of salvation by works. It's supported by the verse, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [...]
One of the aims of the Napa Institute Conference is to bring together Catholic philanthropists with leaders of Catholic apostolates and ministries to achieve positive relationships for ministry and outreach. Some critics have blasted the institute and conference for being some kind of Catholic Bohemian Grove--a secret meeting of fat cats (or fat Catholics) in order [...]
This week I attended the Napa Conference in California for the first time. It was great to meet so many readers of this blog and to connect with publishers and editors I have been working with, but who I have not had the chance to meet face to face. For those who are not familiar with [...]
Certain levels of the Catholic Church are all abuzz with the workings of "synodality". This top-down congregation of committees purports to be a "work of the Spirit" by which all God's people get a voice. However, it seems to me that it is simply another clericalist gimmick. I've been a Christian all my life and a [...]
The other day on social media a convert to the Catholic faith indulged in a familiar rant--and I sympathize. This person had visited a charismatic-type Protestant church and said (I paraphrase) "The worship was lively and welcoming. People were happily praising the Lord. There was a joyful spirit and afterward the pastor noticed me, welcomed me [...]