...or call me Catholic. One of my life slogans is the dictum by F.D.Maurce that "A man is most often right in what he affirms and wrong in what he denies." I realize that my own prejudices and background incline me towards what seems to be a more conservative viewpoint, but I reject the title and [...]
In my own journey from Protestant fundamentalism to the Catholic Church the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was a stumbling block. I understood the doctrine--that the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived in the natural way, but by direct action of God was preserved from the stain of original sin. I also understood the reasoning for it [...]
Back in April I began a series on What’s Killing American Catholicism. The first post was on Cultural Catholicism and I argued that this was countered by Comprehensive Catholicism–a Catholic faith that is truly universal and transcends all cultures and ethnicities. The second installment was on Complacent Catholicism which is countered by Compassionate Catholicism. The third post focused on Cafeteria Catholicismversus [...]
I hear all the fuss, alarm and outrage about same sex marriage, but the more I think about it, the more complicated it becomes, because the issue of same sex marriage did not simply materialize out of thin air. Marriage has been disintegrating in our society for the last forty years, and practically everyone is to [...]
Following the triumphant pro-life, pro-women's health legislation in Texas, a report in London's Daily Telegraph informs us that 37% of abortions in the UK were performed for women who had already had at least one abortion. More than 4,500 women had had at least four abortions, 1,334 were on at least their fifth and 33 women [...]
Back in April I began a series on What's Killing American Catholicism. Events and other commitments kept me from completing the series at that time. The first post was on Cultural Catholicism and I argued that this was countered by Comprehensive Catholicism--a Catholic faith that is truly universal and transcends all cultures and ethnicities. The second installment [...]
We preach Christ crucified The Bishop was present in the parish over the weekend to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation, and after sharing dinner with him and the Holy Deacon I was pondering the immensity of his task. The Catholic Church is so amazingly diverse, and the bishop is the focus of unity for [...]
I saw three rings entwined--one composed of smooth gold as clear as crystal and hard as diamonds. The second a circlet of thorns. The third was a ring of fire. But in saying they were three rings entwined, I saw that they were also three rings interfused. The smooth gold as clear as crystal was infused [...]
Three timely books are available which diagnose the problem of the American Church and the solution to the problem. Russell Shaw's American Church - The Remarkable Rise, Meteoric Fall and Uncertain Future of Catholicism in America brilliantly presents the history of the problem and the present day crisis. In his usual easy going and personable style, Shaw [...]
...and not just salvation by works, but universalism--that all will be saved? The Huffington Post has a screaming headline, Pope Francis says Atheists Who do Good are Redeemed, Not Just Catholics. Vatican Radio reports on the homily here. In a homily at daily Mass in the chapel of the Saint Martha hostel, Pope Francis spoke on [...]