Why is this one so hard to understand? Doctrine determines Discipline. As Cardinal Pell points out here, During Tuesday’s press briefing a journalist asked the panel if they would confirm whether the question of communion is one of discipline and not doctrine, and can it therefore be explored and developed during this Synod? On Wednesday, asked by Aleteia the same question, Cardinal Pell replied by saying the doctrine “is spelled out in the criteria for the reception of Communion. The... Read more

As the synod meets in Rome there is much talk about the Catholic Church changing. The reason the Catholic Church is still here after 2,000 years is that she has not changed according to every fashion that comes along. The Catholic Church’s role is not to adapt to the fashions and ideologies of the world, but to challenge the fashions and ideologies of the world. That’s why, although she has remained for 2,000 years she has also been persecuted for those 2,000... Read more

  Over at CRUX I weigh in on the question raised by Archbishop Dubrocher that the Church ought to consider ordaining women to the diaconate. Therefore, the evidence from the New Testament and the early Church could provide arguments for women being ordained as deaconesses. As the order of permanent deacon was re-established in modern times, the order of deaconess could also be rejuvenated. Although canon law does not presently permit it, the law could be changed. Theoretically, the Catholic... Read more

Fr Steve Grunow gives an excellent outline here of the history of today’s feast. It’s all rooted in the great Battle of Lepanto in 1571 when the course of world history was changed. He hints at one of the facts that I related to the children at our school Mass today–the fact that if the Sultan and the forces of Islam had overrun Europe they would also have gained access to Gibraltar and the gateway to the Atlantic and therefore... Read more

My latest blog post for National Catholic Register is here What progressives can’t seem to get into their head is that the Catholic Church is not simply another political agency like the United Nations, the European Union or some Congress or Parliament. The Pope, Bishops and priests of the Catholic Church are not for sale. The doctrines and dogmas, of the Catholic Church are not changed because they cannot be changed. The devotions and disciplines of the church (which can... Read more

I’ll be honest. I’m tired of the grumbling, grousing, griping and gossip. Why are there so many Catholics who are down on Pope Francis, biting their nails over the Synod on the Family and searching the skies for signs of the world’s end? To be sure we live in uncertain times. Read history. When were the times certain? To be sure the church seems to be under threat–undermined by corruption and heresy within and attacked by persecution and infidels without.... Read more

My latest article for CRUX examines Marquette theologian Daniel Maguire’s suggestion that Catholicism might split into three branches: Traditionalist, Magisterial and Progressive I agree with Maguire that these three tribes can be discerned within American Catholicism. Where I disagree is that there can be any formalized arrangement that establishes three separate groups. The three groups exist within the Catholic Church in an uneasy alliance, and that’s how it has to stay. I’m surprised that a theologian of Maguire’s standing seems unfamiliar... Read more

My article for Imaginative Conservative this week reflects on the need for laughter in the face of the gathering dark. Let’s get theological. If we’re created in the image of God and we are able to laugh, then does God laugh? Is comedy divine? I’m convinced of it. Because he sees how all things work together for good, he sees that the whole cosmic drama has a happy ending, and a just ending is the definition of a comedy. God... Read more

“My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault” is what we will soon say in the Confiteor. I know, I know. We will be blamed for dishing out the guilt and making people feel bad, but I think it is going to be refreshing–and here’s why: Our whole culture is awash with the pop psychology counseling mentality which encourages us to blame somebody else for our problems. “I have anger problems because my mother didn’t breast feed me” or “I... Read more

A couple of priest friends of mine–I’ll call them Father Gary and Father Larry– who are cradle Catholics– were chuckling about the Pope’s visit last week. “Everybody’s crazy about this pope.” Fr Larry said. “Liberals think he’s wonderful. Conservatives think he’s terrible.” “That’s right.” Fr Jerry pitched in, “Then the Pope talks about the devil, says same sex marriage is evil, meets Kim Davis and says women can’t be ordained. Then the liberals are howling and the conservatives are delighted.” “And you... Read more