On July 25, I reported that Pope Francis would be coming to the United States in September 2015 to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. I was relaying the announcement by Archbishop Charles Chaput, archbishop of Philadelphia, that the pope would attend the meeting on September 25-27. Now, the Vatican says “Not so fast!” According to Vatican Radio, The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, issued a statement on Friday, saying the Pope has not... Read more
Undergraduate students at Ohio State University should know that atheists are smarter than Christians. At least, that’s the viewpoint reflected on a for-credit homework quiz in a Psychology 1100 course. The assignment included the following question: Theo has an IQ of 100 and Aine has an IQ of 125. Which of the following statements would you expect to be true? Aine is an atheist, while Theo is a Christian. Aine earns less money than Theo. Theo is more liberal than Aine.... Read more
Repeat after me: Catholics do not worship Mary. Catholics do not worship Mary. Catholics do not worship Mary. I mention this because that scurrilous claim has turned up several times recently in my comment boxes. The accusation has shown up in response to various posts, tossed in by some well-meaning, God-fearing Christian who wants to protect society from the Catholic Church. In his or her mind, prayer to the Mother of God is the ultimate evidence of apostasy: The Bible clearly says that... Read more
To offer oneself to God, in witness to the Gospel of Life. This is the mission of the Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb, a contemplative order in France which opens its doors to women who feel a call to religious life, but who may be turned away from other orders because they have Down Syndrome. The community depends on other sisters who do not have Down Syndrome, but who have committed to share their lives with these lovely, holy... Read more
This is charming: Pope Francis showed up unexpectedly at the Vatican Canteen for lunch yesterday. According to Vatican Radio: He turned up there unexpected shortly after noon much to everybody’s astonishment and after taking a tray and cutlery joined the line with all the employees to be served his lunch. Staff at the canteen said he ate pasta without sauce and cod served with grilled tomatoes. He ate his lunch at a long table alongside a group of various employees. ... Read more
Big news today from Philadelphia! We’ve just learned that Pope Francis has accepted the invitation from Archbishop Charles Chaput to come to Philly in 2015, and to attend the World Meeting of Families. Organized by the Pontifical Council for Families, the World Meeting has as its theme “The Gospel of the Family, Resource of Humanity.” This theme will emphasize the good news of the family and its intrinsic value to the good of society. Archbishop Chaput made the announcement before... Read more
On July 25, Christians observe the Feast of St. James the Apostle. C.S. Lewis offered a reflection on the apparent contradiction in the Scriptures, as exemplified in James 1:6, that you will get what you ask for, and yet also prepare yourself submissively in advance for a possible refusal. Be prepared to be frustrated: He exposes the conundrum, but what he doesn’t offer is a solution that you can take to the bank. The New Testament contains embarrassing promises that... Read more
Meriam Ibrahim, the Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death for renouncing Islam, is free! Ibrahim has just arrived at Rome’s Ciampino airport, accompanied by her family and by Italy’s deputy minister for foreign affairs, Lapo Pistelli. On the ground in Rome, her flight was welcomed by Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi who said, “Today is a day of celebration!” The release was reportedly arranged through diplomatic negotiations by Italy and the Vatican. Ibraham’s father is Muslim but her... Read more
An undergraduate student assisting at an archeological dig on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula has made a spectacular discovery: a 400-year-old copper crucifix. The crucifix is considered particularly important since the colony which once stood at that spot was English, and Catholics were severely persecuted in England at the time. It was, then, most likely owned by someone who fled religious persecution in England and found freedom here. Anna Sparrow, who attends Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was painstakingly sifting through... Read more
The Obama Administration, slapped down by the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of Wheaton College, has taken a step back from its intractable stance on contraception coverage as part of the Affordable Care Act. The Justice Department, perhaps seeing the handwriting on the wall after the Court rulings in the cases of Wheaton College and Hobby Lobby, announced Tuesday, July 22, that they will issue new regulations within the next month. The new regulations will apply to all nonprofit... Read more
Seasons of Grace
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