Happy Halloween, even though some consider its celebration another sneaky, nefarious way Satan attacks jam, Jesus, and Jerusalem. In 2013, exorcisms, the ritual to remove demons possessing the bodies of the living, are still done. The International Association of Catholic Exorcists (IACE) “is an association for the credentialing of Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox clergy and lay people as Exorcist, Religious Demonologist, and Paranormal Research Teams.”  Its mission is “to serve the communities of the world, by being a vital resource... Read more

Holy Sophia the Holy Spirit has brought forth another revelation. Today, more Christians are unconditionally embracing God’s LGBTQ children and rethinking the homophobia long misinterpreted in scripture. They are helping to smash the stereotype that Christians don’t support LGBTQ civil and human rights while showing how scripture isn’t anti-gay. It is a revelation inspired, if not offered by Divine Wisdom, who is the Holy Spirit. Increasingly, Christians who support LGBTQ rights are being less quiet. In greater numbers, they are... Read more

“Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient,” Bill Gates said. “There’s a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning.” The remark may explain, in part, the decline of traditional worship, especially among Christians. At the same time, it encourages a larger discussion about one’s sense of self and place in an ever-changing world. Science and technology appear to surpass the need for or relevance of religion. They have little use for... Read more

Holy Sophia-the Holy Spirit witnessed Creation when the Creator brought the cosmos, heavens, the angels, and all the wonders of earth into being.  Some call her, due to this witness, God’s co-Creator.  Sophia is often identified with nature – the sky, mountains, the majesty of forests, and the mystery of oceans.  She is everywhere inviting us to revelation throughout our lives. She even calls to us on Memorial Day.  Fallen heroes from the tragedies of war and courageous veterans who... Read more

Cardinal Roger Mahony might be mistaken regarding a powerful scriptural lesson about bearing one’s cross.  Recently, he blogged about “Carrying a Scandal Biblically,” in context to the child sex abuse scandal the Catholic diocese of Los Angeles is embroiled in. Blameless, innocent people who have been victimized or those who politically, emotionally, or physically hurt others, yet have genuine regret, sorrow, and contrition, shoulder a cross or heavy burden, often for life.  A man who knowingly made decisions, as court... Read more

Critics of religion, especially those who see it as holding back social progress, believe the Western world is moving toward a post-Christian period. It’s not. The faithful, however, are disillusioned with the foibles of church hierarchy, long implied to consist of God’s specially chosen representatives, likely to be purer and more immune than the sinful in secular society. Christianity has survived for two thousand years with a message of loving more, judging less, and building stronger communities. It lives despite... Read more

No one has mentioned his name.  Yet Sviatoslav Shevchuk is papal material.  He is the Ukrainian Greek Catholic (UGC) Primate and Archbishop-Major of Kyiv-Halych and All Rus-Ukraine.  Although the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) has been steadfast in its loyalty since swearing allegiance to Rome centuries ago during the Polish occupation of Western Ukraine, Easter Rite Catholics are an oddity causing curiosity among Roman Catholics and friction between the Papacy and the Russian Orthodox Church. UGCs, who number about 6... Read more

Self-employment or working for someone isn’t about professional achievement and fulfillment. If you’re a rose-colored eyeglass wearing idealist then, OK, it’s primarily about them. Realistically, it’s about survival. Although most hope for job satisfaction, the reality of life is about food, shelter, and clothes. Love, family, friendship and companionship bring joy, happiness and emotional comfort, at least theoretically. How an individual chooses to survive and provide for his or her family, raises ethical and moral issues. This speaks to spiritual... Read more

Wednesday, August 1, was declared “Chick fil-A Appreciation Day” by former Arkansas governor and one-time Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.  Gov. Huckabee is asking proponents of traditional marriage to eat at the restaurant chain today.  Dan Cathy, the company’s president and chief operating officer, recently unleashed a fire storm for publicly opposing same-sex unions and acknowledging the financing of campaigns to defeat marriage equality initiatives. Mr. Cathy said during an interview he is “very much supportive of the family —... Read more