The Talking, Thinking and Wondering Will Continue

12apostles

There is a saying attributed to St. Gregory of Nyssa, that I used to keep up on my header: “Ideas lead to idols; only wonder leads to knowing.” I wonder about that phrase often, and continually draw new understanding as I apply it to different subject matters. It reminds me that I am not only [...]

Dolan New USCCB Prez – UPDATED

For American Catholics who pay attention, today’s big news is the surprise election of Archbishop Timothy Dolan as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Dolan counts himself among the surprised (Photo: CNS/Nancy Wiechec) Personally, I think this is a terrific selection. Dolan is a very pastoral, humble and joyful presence. He is [...]

John Allen; definitive on Benedict, Scandals

The great John Allen, perhaps the best English-language reporter on the Vatican beat, does yeoman’s work in three different articles, to which I am linking today. Allen takes knowledgeable, sometimes devastating but always fair looks at Pope Benedict XVI and the crisis that has engulfed him over the past few weeks and has come to [...]

The Leadership Void; we need St. Benedict – UPDATED

Deacon Greg sent this my way, noting, “this is extraordinary, and the piece mentions you, too!” Such a star, I am! What is “extraordinary” is the lengthy post Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley put up in his blog, addressing the criticism he has received for presiding (in a very minimalist way, it must be said) at [...]

Quotes of the Day

Actually, they’ve both been hanging around my tab bar for a couple of days, and they’re both brought to my attention thanks to Deacon Greg Kandra. And they’re both Must Reads: 1) “The news media, despite their claims of impartiality, and despite the good work they often do accomplish, are just as prone to prejudice, [...]