The disorder introduced into our human nature by Adam’s fall from grace reveals itself especially through seven dominant vices known in the Catholic tradition as the capital sins. These are: pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. We call …
Church Teaching: Hostile Inflexibility?
I must admit that I am confused by Pope Francis’ closing speech to the Synod on Saturday. For me, some of the language of the speech serves only to further muddy waters that were already impenetrably murky. Many people who …
Bread, Not Stones
At the end of Lent last spring, on Lazarus Saturday, I experienced resurrection from death in sin in conversion. Through illumination in the mysteries of baptism, chrismation (also called confirmation in the West1 My conversion is a bit unusual in …
Prophesied Times? Bishops Divided; Burke Confirms Demotion, Says Pope has “Done a Lot of Harm”
The Catholic world is awash in speculation today as the synod winds down. Cardinal Burke’s interview with BuzzFeed (BuzzFeed? Really?) has sent shockwaves throughout the Church: If Pope Francis had selected certain cardinals to steer the meeting to advance his …
Podcast Episode 8 is Out
Editor’s Note: we got word after the podcast recording that Cardinal Burke has confirmed his demotion by Pope Francis. He is cited multiple times in the podcast, and we believe his statements take on even greater significance in light of this development. …
1P5 Podcast – Episode 8: Synod on The Family, Part I
ON TODAY’S EPISODE: The synod is closing on Sunday. Will the pope have a Humanae Vitae moment, or will he let the heretics have the microphone? Plus: Elliot Bougis interviews Fred Harris, a convert from Eastern Orthodoxy, about his conversion …
“Roma locuta est?” – A Call to Faith in the Face of Papal Discernment
“CANON V. If any one saith, that on account of heresy, or irksome cohabitation, or the affected absence of one of the parties, the bond of matrimony may be dissolved; let him be anathema.” “CANON XII. If any one saith, …
A Bishop Who is Unapologetically Catholic
A tale of two bishops and two different generations. One in love with interfaith dinners and endless dialoging. The other simply preaching the truth, regardless of his audience. Bold, authentic, refreshing and Catholic. After 37 years of Bishop Howard Hubbard …
Synod and Sanity: A Reliably Catholic Priest Weighs In
No, I’m not referring to myself in the title, though I would bristle at the accusation of heresy, or even theological imprecision. The forthcoming (November/December 2014) edition of The Catholic Response magazine features this cool-headed commentary by its founder and editor, …
Two Excellent Prayers for the Holy Father
As the Church crisis continues, and Catholics around the world pray for God’s guidance, it seems particularly appropriate to pray for Pope Francis. These two prayers are excellent in that regard. I hope you’ll all join me in praying them: Almighty …