Is Pope Francis really safe from Islamic extremists? One has to wonder. The Islamic State has been known to hold a grudge (Charlie Hebdo, of course, being the most recent case in point). But fearless in the face of the brutal slaughter of the comic artists in Paris and countless others in Middle Eastern countries, Pope Francis has spoken harshly against ISIS and their “unjust aggression” of “deviant forms of religion.” Speaking to the diplomatic corps in his State of the... Read more
During World War II, C.S. Lewis gave a series of radio addresses to the British nation. His words inspired people who were tired of war, and the series was later published as a book titled “Mere Christianity.” Unfortunately, most of the BBC reels were recycled; and Lewis’ prophetic voice was almost lost to history. One reel survived, however–a talk about prayer and evolution. Read more
Loyola University in Chicago has invited a pro-abortion rights speaker to be the keynote speaker at its January 21 celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The event is sponsored by Loyola’s Department of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. The journalist Touré, who goes by his first name alone, is co-host of The Cycle on MSNBC. He has been invited by the Jesuit institution to deliver a speech entitled “How Racism Functions Today.” SUPPORT FOR ABORTION AT A... Read more
At his Wednesday Audience on November 13, 2013, Pope Francis, continuing his catechesis on the Creed, spoke about the sacrament of Baptism. He looked at the three main elements of the proclamation: “I confess” – The first words, said the Holy Father, are a “solemn declaration” which “highlights the importance of Baptism and affirms our identity as children of God.” He noted that in the sacrament, our faith is also linked to the remission of sins. “one Baptism” – The... Read more
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof can’t figure out who’s responsible for the Charlie Hebdo bombing. And for that, I nominate him for a Lifetime Award for Politically Correct Obtuseness. In a January 7 op-ed, Kristof asked, “Is Islam to Blame for the Shooting at Charlie Hebdo in Paris?” He chastises Americans for their rash judgments, despite the fact that these guys apparently entered the building chanting “Allahu Akbar!” and terrorist Cherif Kouachi, who picked up the phone and talked with a... Read more
Last week, Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook, second-ranking leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, was suspended from her duties following a hit-and-run accident on Saturday. The bishop’s car struck a bicyclist, Thomas Palermo, and then drove away. The bicyclist, 41-year-old husband and father Thomas Palermo, later died at the hospital. After about twenty minutes, Bishop Cook returned to the scene on Baltimore’s Roland Avenue. However, the State Attorney General Marilyn Mosby said at a press conference that charges would be filed. CBS... Read more
On Friday, January 9, President Obama introduced a new plan to open community colleges to all by offering free tuition. The President’s proposal–which is unlikely to receive support from the Republican-led Congress–would pay the entire cost of tuition for two years at a community college for any American who wanted it. State and local governments would have to join the effort, with 75% of the cost (roughly $3,800 per year, per student) being borne by the federal government, and the... Read more
I really thought we had a chance. One of my Christmas gifts for my husband this year was a raffle ticket for Pope Francis’ January 8 raffle. First prize in the raffle, which was organized by the Vatican to help raise funds to help the poor, was the pope’s new Fiat Panda 4×4. Other prizes in the raffle included four spiffy bikes, a Sony videocamera, a high-end espresso machine, an iPod and iPhone, and a Panama hat, along with some 30+... Read more
The town of Grand Haven sits on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. For half a century Dewey Hill, which overlooks the town, has been home to a 48-foot cross–a highly visible landmark along the banks of the Grand River. The cross was erected in 1962. However, according to the Grand Haven Tribune, the cross has most recently only been raised on the hill for the summertime Sunday evening Worship on the Waterfront services, which are sponsored by First Reformed... Read more
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, archbishop of Miami, has warned archdiocesan employees that any action in support of Florida’s now-legal same-sex marriage could cost them their jobs. “Because of the Church’s particular function in society,” the archbishop wrote, “certain conduct, inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, could lead to disciplinary action, including termination, even if it occurs outside the normal working day and outside the strict confines of work performed by the employee for the Archdiocese.” The policy extends to... Read more
Seasons of Grace
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In