Here on Long Island, the little town of Farmingdale is reeling as they deal with the stark pain that comes of burying five teenagers, all lost in one horrific car accident. Families, students at their high school, even perfect strangers within the community are bound in grief, and our prayers must fly to heaven for their sustenance and consolation. Frequently quoted amid the many reports is Father Michael Duffy, an associate pastor at Saint Kilian’s Church. The parish is located... Read more
The always-interesting and ever-pastoral Bishop Christopher Coyne of Indianapolis drops a particularly juicy and instructive codicil on the whole “Black Mass” Brouhaha of the past week and, as they say in Brooklyn, it’s a doozy: . . .here is the “kicker,” as a friend of mine shared with me this little historical tidbit. The spokesperson for the Satanic Temple said that the presentation of the Black Mass was to be based upon the description found in the book Lá-bas (“The... Read more
This just breaking from the Harvard Crimson: The Harvard Extension School Cultural Studies Club said it will relocate its reenactment of a Satanic black mass ritual, scheduled for Monday night, to an off-campus site, citing in an email that “misinterpretations about the nature of the event were harming perceptions about Harvard and adversely impacting the student community.” The club wrote in its email that the event will be held at The Middle East nightclub in Central Square at 9:00 p.m.... Read more
A statement from Harvard University President Drew Faust in full: The reenactment of a ‘black mass’ planned by a student group affiliated with the Harvard Extension School challenges us to reconcile the dedication to free expression at the heart of a university with our commitment to foster a community based on civility and mutual understanding. Vigorous and open discussion and debate are essential to the pursuit of knowledge, and we must uphold these values even in the face of controversy.... Read more
As a great family event is taking place, I will be offline until Tuesday; as I will be unable to monitor comments, they are closed at this time. Read more
Not long after Deacon Greg posted this bit about her singing “Flashdance: What a Feeling”, a friend on Facebook shot me a private message wondering if I was not getting “a little worried” about all of the attention being given to Ursuline Sister Cristina Scuccia, or — as she is known in Italy — Suor Cristina. “Well, sure. As she becomes more well-known, the world will throw awful temptations her way,” I responded, “so we really should pray for her... Read more
Does Catholic blogging matter? Does it make a difference? That’s more or less the question being debated at the Catholic Herald, UK, in light of the “Protect the Pope Blog” brouhaha, and I was pleased to be able to contribute to the conversation: Particularly in matters of evangelisation, the Church trusts that any field seeded for love of Christ and in service to others will – through the patient, expedient promptings of the Holy Spirit – bear good fruit at... Read more
Yesterday, someone sent an email asking me, “Do you have enough energy to write this as a Screwtape Letter? “This” being the “Harvard Black Mass”, I really didn’t. As it turns out, fifteen hours at the desk is my limit. I didn’t have to have the energy, however, because my correspondent provided an example of what he had in mind, and I thought was full-witty. “Dear Wormwood, I congratulate you on the success of your latest efforts at Harvard University.... Read more
This is the official statement, in full: The Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Boston expresses its deep sadness and strong opposition to the plan to stage a “black mass” on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge. For the good of the Catholic faithful and all people, the Church provides clear teaching concerning Satanic worship. This activity separates people from God and the human community, it is contrary to charity and goodness, and it places participants dangerously close to... Read more
As I noted deep into the text, here, there remains in my mind some question as to whether the “Re-enactment” hosted by the Harvard Extension would involve the use of a Consecrated Host, as first confirmed by The Satanist Temple — who is performing their first-ever Black Mass — and then walked back. My reservation stemmed from what seemed like ambiguous language from Lucien Greaves. After the emphatic walk-back by spokesperson Priya Dua — who stated firmly that no Consecrated... Read more
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