The Synod on the Family moved closer to a conclusion with the release of small group reports. It appears that the English-speaking reports call for no change so far as the issue of communion for divorced and remarried couples is concerned. Rather than try to summarize these reports, I’m going to link to them at the National Catholic Register, so you can read them yourselves. Remember, this link is only for the English-speaking reports. I’ve read the some of the reports... Read more
My friend Kathy Schiffer has the story. Remember the high-ranking Vatican priest who chose the opening of the Synod on Marriage to announce that he’s gay and then ride off into the sunset with his boyfriend and a book deal? His bishop has laicized him. I wonder how this guy managed to rise so high in the Church in the first place. Here’s a bit of what Kathy Schiffer has to say about it: The Polish priest who declared his homosexuality on the eve... Read more
Conscience is a weak reed on which to lay the foundation of your eternal destiny. I know from personal experience that I can convince myself of anything. I also know that I am not the only person with this problem. In fact, I would guess that this ability to justify oneself to oneself is part of the universal human condition. The truth is, people cannot do that which they cannot justify to themselves. I have no doubt that Hitler had... Read more
Nearly 500 British priests sent a letter to the Synod Fathers, urging them to stand firm on the question of communion for divorced and remarried Catholics. The priests called for the Synod Fathers to issues a “clear and firm proclamation” upholding Church teaching on marriage. From Catholic Herald: They write: “We affirm the importance of upholding the Church’s traditional discipline regarding the reception of the sacraments, and that doctrine and practice remain firmly and inseparably in harmony.” One signatory, who... Read more
Which is worse, killing someone, or disposing of their body improperly once you’ve killed them? In our nutty society, killing babies with abortion is considered a “human right” of the person who wants them killed. But, once the baby is dead, we do not — and I mean do not — want to see or hear of what is done with the baby’s corpse. Why? Why do Americans get so worked up when a doc mistreats the body of a... Read more
Evangelization is not only awkward to say, most of us find it awkward to do. It’s all very well to talk about converting this culture. But how do we do that? Is there a roadmap somewhere to help us on our way to this worthy goal? Most Catholics are considerate of others. We don’t go door to door on Saturday mornings, rousting people out of bed to ask them where they think they will go when they die. Neither do... Read more
I was there when most of the tracks that led us to where we are now were laid down. By “there” I mean I was often in the room when the discussion were had and the decisions were made. On those occasions when I wasn’t part of the initial discussion, I was usually one of the first to know what was coming down. If hindsight really is 22, then I have a clear view of how we got here, or... Read more
Planned Parenthood president, Cecile Richards, published a letter yesterday stating that Big Pink won’t take direct monies for selling the body parts of babies it has killed during abortions. Do you believe them? I talk about this, from the viewpoint of someone who once allied with Planned Parenthood as a pro choice advocate in a post I wrote for the National Catholic Register. Here’s part of what I said: Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards, posted a letter yesterday. She announced... Read more
A group of Synod Fathers, including Cardinal Dolan, have written a letter to Pope Francis expressing concern about the way the Synod is progressing. I wrote about that for National Catholic Register today. Here is part of what I said: “You cannot serve God and Mammon.” —Jesus Christ The German Catholic Church has a long and ignoble history of playing fool for its government. During the murderous reign of the Third Reich, there were isolated bishops who stood against Hitler.... Read more
Bishop Olmsted has written a powerful call for Catholic men to step up and be men. I am particularly impressed because he did this without attacking women. A couple of his brother bishops might take a page from him in this. I wrote about this pastoral letter from a woman’s viewpoint for CatholicVote. Women need manly men in their lives, as do children and the whole of our society. Men and women together are the foundation of all human civilization. Here’s... Read more
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