I’ve been reading internet discussions of what people who are in mortal sin should do if COVID-19 restrictions are keeping them from confession. These discussions are full of scary and even life-endangering advice. Most of it appears to be coming from people who are trying to use this situation to bully and terrorize the unfortunates who will listen to them. I guess they do it to amuse themselves. Or maybe they enjoy the sense of power it gives them to... Read more
America is running smoothly, right through a pandemic. We owe a debt to the working people of this nation who have kept the electricity, gas and water coming into our homes, the grocery shelves stocked, the gas pumps pumping, and the streets safe from crime. Many of us owe our lives to nurses, phlebotomists, x-ray techs, doctors, nursing assistants, physician assistants, techs and aides who are risking their lives to save those who are infected with COVID-19. If medical people... Read more
I’ve been reading about the nutso preachers who are insisting on holding church services right in the middle of a pandemic. I’ve also seen the claims by a few television preachers that they’ve issued some sort of hocus pocus plague prevention rebuke to the virus. I believe completely that God answers prayers. But I also believe without doubt that God is not at the service of charlatans and hucksters who are using people’s faith in Christ to feed their egos... Read more
This is a detailed, understandable and very informative video made by a bariatric surgeon for his patients. It explain COVID-19 in terms that even I can understand. It has a bit of mild profanity and crude jokes that I wish it didn’t have and would not normally post. But this is an extraordinary moment in history and I’m breaking a few of my own rules because lives are at stake and that always takes first place in my list of... Read more
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April is that those suffering from addiction may be properly helped and accompanied. From Vatican News: The full text of his intention is below: Surely, you’ve heard about the drama of addiction. And… have you also thought about the addiction to gambling, to pornography, to the internet… and the dangers of virtual space?. Supported by the “Gospel of Mercy” we can alleviate, care for and heal the suffering associated with new kinds of addiction. We... Read more
Australia’s high court overturned Cardinal Pell’s conviction on five counts of child sex abuse today. The High Court ruled that the jury should have “entertained a doubt with respect to each of the offenses” and ordered that the convictions be quashed that that acquittals be entered in their place. From CNN: Brisbane, Australia (CNN)Cardinal George Pell will be immediately freed from prison after Australia’s High Court unanimously overturned his conviction on five counts of historical child sex abuse. The momentous... Read more
A reader asked me to look further at hydroxychloroquine, the drug that President Trump is promoting as a cure or treatment (I’m not sure which) for COVID-19. I’m very reluctant to get into this because I’m totally unqualified to do so. I don’t know anything about prescription drugs and their actions and interactions. I don’t even understand the many drugs I have to take myself. My primary reaction to this controversy has been disgust that politicians, talk show hosts and... Read more
I don’t have any spiritual insights to share with you about Palm Sunday and Holy Week, except to say that whether or not it is a holy Holy Week for you is entirely up to you and your personal willingness to trust God. The mass is freely available from every parish on the internet. The Holy Spirit is everywhere. God will bless you this week if you are open to being blessed. My pastor and the other priests and deacons... Read more
What we have here is a comedian interviewing a tech billionaire and they are making more sense about the pandemic that is beating us up than all the politicos and professional commentators combined. Go figure. This is an edifying and thoughtful discussion about our situation today. It is honest, thoughtful and civil. Read more
Nobody paid attention five years ago when Bill Gates made this speech. In fact, President Trump actually took steps backward by doing away with the Pandemic Response Team that President Obama had put together. However, Mr Gates was prescient. We’re going to get through this pandemic. And then we have to face a considerable economic mop-up. We’ll get through that too, although — if Trump is president — I expect the debate to be acrimonious and crazy-making. But it would... Read more
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