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 read the speech seemed to read it as a criticism of the excesses of both…
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 West ), and the holy Eucharist, I became a member of the Body of Christ, which is the Catholic Church, by the grace…
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 personal views on matters like divorce and the treatment of LGBT people, Burke said, he…
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. ON TODAY’S EPISODE: The synod is closing on Sunday. Will the pope have a Humanae Vitae…
[powerpress] 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 and the experiences he had with the Orthodox position on divorce and remarriage –…
“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, that matrimonial causes do not belong to ecclesiastical judges; let him be anathema.” – Council…
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 leading the Diocese of Albany, it appears that some within the interfaith community may miss…
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, Father Peter Stravinskas, on the 2014 Extraordinary Synod on the Family. Because it generates more…
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 and Everlasting God, have mercy on Thy servant N., our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him,…
During a recent dinner conversation, a Jewish friend asked me, with sincere politeness, if I agreed with the Church’s attempts to “impose its morality” on a pluralistic society when it comes to abortion and other hot-button issues. She, like other American secularists, — I say “other” because, although my friend is Jewish, the Reform denomination…
With the release on Monday of the relatio post disceptationem, the mid-term report presented at the start of the second week of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, the Catholic blogosphere went crazy. And rightfully so. While the report is in no way official or binding, it very much captures a tone and verbiage that…
