No Lobbyists for Leo My latest blog post for National Catholic Register is here What progressives can’t seem to get into their head is that the Catholic Church is not simply another political agency like the United Nations, the European Union or some Congress or Parliament. The Pope, Bishops and priests of the Catholic [...]
Can You Become as a Little Child? I'll be honest. I'm tired of the grumbling, grousing, griping and gossip. Why are there so many Catholics who are down on Pope Francis, biting their nails over the Synod on the Family and searching the skies for signs of the world's end? To be sure we [...]
My latest article for CRUX examines Marquette theologian Daniel Maguire's suggestion that Catholicism might split into three branches: Traditionalist, Magisterial and Progressive I agree with Maguire that these three tribes can be discerned within American Catholicism. Where I disagree is that there can be any formalized arrangement that establishes three separate groups. The three groups exist within [...]
My article for Imaginative Conservative this week reflects on the need for laughter in the face of the gathering dark. Let’s get theological. If we’re created in the image of God and we are able to laugh, then does God laugh? Is comedy divine? I’m convinced of it. Because he sees how all things work together [...]
“My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault” is what we will soon say in the Confiteor. I know, I know. We will be blamed for dishing out the guilt and making people feel bad, but I think it is going to be refreshing–and here’s why: Our whole culture is awash with the pop psychology counseling [...]
A couple of priest friends of mine--I'll call them Father Gary and Father Larry-- who are cradle Catholics-- were chuckling about the Pope's visit last week. "Everybody's crazy about this pope." Fr Larry said. "Liberals think he's wonderful. Conservatives think he's terrible." "That's right." Fr Jerry pitched in, "Then the Pope talks about the devil, says same sex [...]
My article for Aleteia this week focusses on the positive message of Pope Francis. To spend all one’s time, therefore lamenting and lambasting evil is not actually the best way to overcome evil. The best way to overcome evil is to build up all that is beautiful, good and true. This is the positive way forward, [...]
I love the enthusiasm some of my friends have for the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. They take time and go to great expense and effort to make sure the worship of God is reverent, traditional, beautiful and transcendent. I'm giving them a thumbs up, straight A's, a shout out and genuine appreciation. Unfortunately, some of [...]
The Cappadocian Fathers My blog post for National Catholic Register this week points out the heresy of Arianism and how it is not just a fourth century issue. Arianism, simply defined, is the belief that Jesus Christ was not equal with God the Father, but was a created being. In the fourth century [...]
Kim Davis In watching the grilling that Cecile Richards--the CEO of Planned Parenthood received yesterday, what I found interesting was the way she deflected all questions that had anything to do with what might be right or wrong. She made it clear that Planned Parenthood was "judgement free" and that they respected the choices [...]