The latest press release from the Vatican pictures the meeting of Pope Pelosi with the aging German theologian Joseph Ratzinger. Pope Pelosi said of their meeting, “He is a very sweet man, who has done a lot to stop global warming. This is why he always wears white clothes–to show solidarity with the polar bears who, as my friend, Archbishop Al Gore says, are all dying because the snow is melting. He has also been a very good person because... Read more

London’s left wing ‘Catholic’ journal The Tablet has launched an attack on Fr Tim Finigan over his celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. You can read the article (and Fr Finigan’s comments) here. What struck me about reading the article was the petty, sniping tone. All sorts of little grumbles about people who ‘don’t like’ the Latin Mass and who ‘feel excluded’ or ‘don’t understand’ what is going on. Grumbles that there are no extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist,... Read more

What I love about the Catholic Church is that we use physical stuff in worship. It makes sense doesn’t it, that Our Lord did not despise the physical realm when he became man, so why should we dismiss the idea that he comes to us still through the physical realm? Ashes for the penitent, water to cleanse, oil to heal and sanctify, bread for our food and wine for our drink–all of these are the means of grace, all of... Read more

Whoops. American Papist is on to us… Keep Voting! Tell Your Friends… Read more

Here is my latest for InsideCatholic. It discusses the Practical Power of Public Prayer. What are the benefits of prayers in public–even for non believers? What does it matter? Why are we the poorer as a society when prayer is banned? Click here to read. Read more

I am reading a conversion story and apologetical book called An Invitation Heeded published at the end of the 1800s with a view to editing it for re-publication by the Coming Home Network. In the chapter on infallibility the author makes the very good point that rather than the Catholic Church’s stance on infallibility being nonsensical, it is the churches who deny infallibility that are absurd. The essential Protestant position is, “Our church is merely a human institution. It is... Read more

Look what just arrived by special delivery!  “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20 I have been head coal heaped. (Thanks Fr.Z!) Get yours here. Read more

G.K.Chesterton said, “No parent lies awake at night worrying that their child might become a Methodist.” The Catholic Church, on the other hand, has always been reviled, feared, mocked and scorned. It is true that somewhere in the world, at all times for the last 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has been persecuted. Whether it was the great Roman persecutions, the torture of missionaries, the attacks of the Tudors in England or the repressions in Russia and France; both individuals... Read more

Here is a new word for some readers of Fr.Z’s blog: Badinage bad⋅i⋅nage   [bad-n-ahzh, bad-n-ij] noun, verb, -naged, -nag⋅ing.–noun1. light, playful banter or raillery.–verb (used with object)2. to banter with or tease (someone) playfully. For any who were worried about it, be of good cheer.  Fr.Z and I are blogosphere buddies. We’re just joshing. We don’t mean disrespect to each other, or to clerical clothing. Read more

I’ve just read Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s little book Dominus Est. It is reviewed here by Alcuin Reid It is an important book giving fascinating evidence from the documents of the Church, the Apostolic Fathers and the tradition of the Church both East and West for the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue kneeling. It has certainly influenced my thinking, and I will be recommending that the faithful show more reverence when coming to communion. Reminding them of the need... Read more