WaPo reports here on a new survey that informs us that the largest religious grouping among registered Democrats is “None” Yes, that’s “None” not “Nun”. In other words, the Democrats are the party of the godless. People who do not identify with any organized religion (aka the “nones”) comprise the largest chunk of self-identified Democrats and those who lean toward the Democratic party.  And, that number has increased by almost 10 percentage points since Pew last conducted a similar study... Read more

My latest blog post for National Catholic Register is here. It analyzes why we’re sometimes a bit leery of spirituality. Why is it that among ‘conservative Catholics’ there seems to be so little interest in spirituality? We’re big on apologetics. We’re big on dogma. We’re big on the moral teaching of the Church. We’re big on the rules, the rubrics, the regulations and the routine. But I think we’re a little bit scared of spirituality. If my hunch is right,... Read more

In the wake of the liberal defeat in the Synod of the Family a narrative is emerging that goes like this: Pope Francis, the great reformer, has been stymied in his attempts to allow divorced and remarried Catholics to come to communion. The harsh, old judgmental conservatives, who were all appointed by John Paul and his sidekick Benedict, put the brakes on reform and slammed shut the windows that were going to bring fresh air. Same sex marriage is now... Read more

Two people have been arrested at the Vatican for leaking information about alleged corruption in the Vatican. This report recounts the sensational news that is about to be published in two new books, one by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi. Nuzzi’s 2012 best-seller, “His Holiness,” based on leaked papal correspondence detailing corruption, infighting and intrigue in the Vatican has been cited by some as inspiring Benedict XVI’s stunning resignation from the papacy in 2013. According to the publishers, Nuzzi’s new book,... Read more

Anyone who saw the “exorcism” TV show last night will probably agree with Deacon Kandra’s report here in which he quotes the review from Variety. Frankly, the producers seemed to squander an opportunity with their taped packages, which relied heavily on over-the-top dramatic recreations, which looked pretty pallid compared to clips from the movie. Given that most people are familiar with the 1973 film, but not so much with the 1949 case in St. Louis that provided its underpinnings, a more scholarly approach to that... Read more

My latest blog post over at National  Catholic Register analyzes a phenomenon I call “sugar bullies” Sugar bullies are everywhere in our society. They push for progressive causes in schools, in politics, in business and in the Church. The sugar bullies appeal is one of total sentimentality. The sugar bully manipulates you by trying to touch your heart of compassion, your sense of fair play, your desire to be liked and your desire to be perceived as nice, kind, gentle... Read more

  Exorcism? It’s real. It’s ugly. You don’t want to go there. I witnessed a person being delivered from the bondage of Satan once. She had been involved with a witch’s coven. It was the only brush I’ve had with real exorcism, and believe me. If you had seen what I have seen you would believe in the reality of Satan and you would not want anything to do with him. So don’t watch that show “Exorcism Live!” tonight and... Read more

At Our Lady of the Rosary Church this All Saints Weekend we have the opportunity to view and venerate the first class relics of twelve saints: St Stephen Pope St Gregory the Great St Bernard of Clairvaux St Maria Goretti St Margaret Mary Alacoque St Therese of Lisieux St Theresa of Avila St Catherine Laboure St Elizabeth Ann Seton Pope St Pius X St Pio of Pietrelcina St John Neumann   We will also have on the altar an authentic... Read more

Am I disturbed about all the talk about mercy? You bet I am. This is not because I am opposed to the church being the agent of God’s mercy, but because I am in favor of it. I’m in favor of it big time. I’m glad the pope has announced the year of mercy. I’m a fan of the Divine Mercy devotion. The new church we are building will house the Southeast Shrine of the Divine Mercy. The problem I... Read more

I’m having problems with the present talk about mercy in the church. Of course I don’t have problems with the Divine Mercy, but the way some churchmen and the press are using the concept of mercy to twist the Catholic Church’s teaching and practice. Consider this headline: Cardinal Wuerl: The Catholic Church is moving from legalism to mercy. There are so many problems with this article that is difficult to know where to start. First of all, as far as I... Read more