Latest claim: Unpronounceable Icelandic volcanos are caused by climate change. Climate change: is there anything it can’t do? In the olden days, everything that happened was blamed on our displeasing the gods in some way. Santorini explodes? It’s because we ticked off the gods. Bad harvest? It’s *your* fault, you god ticker-offer! Wife barren? You’re being punished for angering the gods. The temptation to blame ourselves for everything is always present. And, to be sure, there’s sin enough in the... Read more

A reader writes: Have you seen this wonderful news from the Country That Used to be England? The only Catholic news source I’ve seen run the story so far is the Italian PiuVoce.Net, so I’ve included the article below with my translation thereof. All the best, Stephen LittlePh.D. in Literature ProgramUniversity of Notre Dame Vi gira la testa? Forse siete antiquatie certamente non inglesi…DUE MADRI E ZERO PADRI:I “PROGETTI PARENTALI“La piccola Lily-May Betty Woods, nata lo scorso 31 marzo in... Read more

since I’m fond of Aussies, Catholics, and writers….: I have serendipitously plucked your blog out of cyberspace (or the noosphere, if you prefer), a fascinating place to visit. You sure have been busy. I am impressed. I have a small favor to ask of you. Please click here and take a peek at my Australian Catholic novel No Time to Stargaze. If you see nothing of interest there, please try Teaser to Stargaze for a quicker and easier dip into... Read more

In which we answer the musical question… well, I’m sure you can figure it out. Read more

Today, my minions, I have a proposition for you. If you are a recent college graduate, have the ability to remain sober for brief periods of time, and know how to operate Microsoft Word, then you should apply for a job as Teenager in Charge of Papal Affairs for the British Foreign Office. You can’t do worse than the people who are running the place right now. Even Ruth Gledhill was astounded by the sheer juvenalia. As to the “we’re... Read more

http://www.paladininnovators.com/shea/swfs/sheaplayer-vars.swf?streamName=4_23_2010 Read more

A reader writes: About a week ago, I e-mailed a prayer request for my adopted son, who was going to undergo open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. Just wanted to let you know the surgery went fine (although they did have to open him up a second time because he was having some internal bleeding), and we brought him home last night. He’s still a little sore and is afraid to move his arms and chest too... Read more

Several readers took issue with my skepticism about Cdl. Castrillon Hoyos and thought I was unjust to him. One notes, for instance, that Fr. Z speculates that the cardinal was interested in guarding the seal of the confessional. However, there were multiple sources of information on the matter, including the victim’s own mother, so it’s hard to see how that really flies. Meanwhile, the invaluable Lori Pieper writes: The important thing is not to rely on speculation but on facts.... Read more

that none of my faithful minions have fanned out to get me those 98 followers so I can have a nice round number. Very well, you force me to take this regrettable action: This was, believe me, as unpleasant an experience for me as it was for you and I hope I never have to show this kind of Tough Love again. That is all! Read more

The reader who asked for prayer sez: He’s back! Praise God, and thank you for passing the prayer request on. Please post the happy news. Thanks be to God! Read more