The last few years have seen a shelf load of worthy books de-bunking what is called the New Atheism. I’m sure it is a mighty good thing to explain and expound the five proofs of God’s existence, but it seems to miss the point. I’d rather present the reality of God’s work in the world and [...]
Confused? Don't be The sudden death of Tony Palmer--the friend of Pope Francis--has raised the question whether he could be saved even though he never converted to the Catholic faith. Some Catholics would shake their head sadly and quote the famous phrase, Extra Ecclesiam nulls salus- Outside the Church, No Salvation. Does this mean that everyone [...]
My combox this week has been filled this week with self righteous, negative and sour comments from a certain type of Catholic. How some people love to throw anathemas at the heretics, condemn people and take a lofty tone correcting everyone in sight. If you don't believe me just jump over to the combox and browse [...]
When I resigned from my position as an Anglican priest one of the ladies in the parish was very upset. She couldn't figure out the point of my decision. "Surely!" she cried, "All that really matters is how much we love Jesus?" This is the response from many non-Catholics when faced with the doctrinal claims of [...]
Pope Francis has been criticized in some quarters because he has said, “Proselytism is solemn nonsense.” He has also told Evangelical Christians and an atheist interviewer that he “doesn’t want to convert them.” In a meeting last week in Caserto he explained to his priests that their job was not “proselytizing” and he quoted Pope Benedict [...]
Pope Francis has waved a welcome to Anglicans who are still shivering on the banks of the Tiber . They don't even have to swim the Tiber anymore. They can walk across the bridge called "Ordinariate" In the wake of the Church of England's decision to ordain women bishops the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham [...]
This report says that while the Vatican has yet to confirm the date, Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia has indicated that Pope Francis will visit the city for next September's World Meeting of Families. If the pope is planning to visit the City of Brotherly Love next fall what's the big deal? Kathy Schiffer reports here that the pope [...]
Healing the Family Tree is a groundbreaking book by the British psychiatrist Kenneth McCall. I met Dr McCall when I lived in England, and used his book in my own developing healing ministry as an Anglican priest. Dr McCall was brought up in China as the son of Christian missionaries. While there he experienced exorcisms and [...]
John Allen continues his excellent reporting from the Vatican with a bumper crop round up of what has turned out to be a wildly busy week with Pope Francis. There has been the meeting of the eight cardinals helping to reform the church, a Vatican bank scandal, the controversial interview with Scalfari and the intriguing report [...]
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 [...]