In my previous article, I shared the full text of a recent anonymous letter from a supposed cardinal of the Catholic Church. One reader called the letter “a dishonest diatribe,” yet failed to provide any evidence or specifics. Others, who exist on the more conservative Catholic end of the spectrum, also criticized the letter as unbecoming of a cardinal. Here, I tend to agree. However, I also find sympathy with the author of Demos II. This author, whomever he is,... Read more
In January of last year, I posted an anonymous letter from Demos (later revealed as the late Cardinal George Pell of Australia). A follow-up letter was recently shared from another anonymous cardinal calling himself Demos II. I share the letter in its entirety below. The Vatican Tomorrow In March 2022, an anonymous text appeared – signed “Demos” and titled the “The Vatican Today” – that raised a number of serious questions and criticisms regarding the pontificate of Pope Francis. Conditions... Read more
Well, Nikki Haley suspended her campaign after achieving only one win on Super Tuesday in Vermont. This, in turn, makes Donald Trump the Republican nomination for president in 2024 (and a rematch of 2020). Add to this the recent decision by the Supreme Court (9-0) that ruled states cannot remove Trump from presidential election ballots. Moreover, President Biden approval consistently polls very low, with the latest New York Times/Siena poll shows Biden trailing Trump by five points. Mind you, Trump... Read more
Recently, I wrote about the Super Bowl ad “He Gets Us.” In the comments section, a reader made the following observation about suffering that I want to explore. This reader often claims that the unnecessary suffering of children proves an “All-powerful, All-knowing, All-loving God” cannot exist. Giving weight to real world data means that I cannot achieve the level of self-deception that is necessary to believe in an All-powerful, All-knowing, All-loving God. It is very likely that there is a... Read more
Trump, being so obviously irreligious, may initially seem like an odd choice to turn the U.S. into a Christian version of a country like Iran, where laws are based on far-right interpretations of religious texts. But that’s why he’s so valuable to the Christian right. They know most Americans oppose Christian nationalism, especially the parts where we lose free speech and sexual rights. The only way to seize power and get the theocratic agenda enacted is through trickery. Some percentage... Read more
In a recent article, I highlighted one of my favorite bands (Waterdeep). For this article, allow me to highlight one of my favorite recording artists (Catholic or otherwise), John Michael Talbot (JMT). One of my favorite songs by JMT is Healer of My Soul; a song very appropriate for the season of Lent. As Catholics enter the penitential season of Lent, a season where we reexamine our lives in the light of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for us, this song provides... Read more
Did you see it? If you watched Super Bowl LVIII, you know what I am referring to—the foot washing commercial put out by “He Gets Us.” Click here to see the video again. In the video, various people wash the feet of others. A youth washes the feet of an older man (probably his father) An African American policeman washes the foot of a young African American man A blonde girl washes the feet of another girl with colored hair... Read more
First off, any attempt at a discussion of slavery today presents some challenges. I (and the Catholic Church) condemn slavery. However, the fact remains that God allowed slavery among the Jewish people (and provided laws on holding slaves). St. Paul wrote a letter to a Christian slave owner named Philemon, yet did not demand he give up owning slaves. The Catholic Church had a former slave as a pope (Callixtus I). Indeed, the subject of slavery does present a significant... Read more
Anyone familiar with contemporary Christian music understands that most lacks any real theological substance. Most seem like a typical love song with the words “God” and “Jesus” in place of the usual love interest of the singer/songwriter. One exception to this rule is 18 Bullet Holes by the husband-and-wife band Waterdeep. Aside from the beauty of the music, the lyrics reflect a true understanding of suffering and how Jesus enters our suffering and understands it. We see this reality also... Read more
A motorist removed a barricade and road closure sign from a road shut by a landslide before driving “directly” into a large hole in the roadway, Tillamook County [in Oregon] sheriff’s officials said in a news release. “This has been an ongoing problem, with people removing the barriers and driving on the closed portion of the road,” Deputy Ben Berger said in the release. “Obviously it is extremely dangerous.” [emphasis added] The above, while seemingly incomprehensible, truly happened as reported... Read more
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