The Church of England to Ordain Female Bishops

Last updated on: July 8, 2008 at 2:27 am By soutenus

The Church of England General Synod has voted to ordain women bishops. Yes, they have decisively severed their Catholic roots. What was surprising to me was that they have voted to ordain women bishops without significant safeguards for traditionalists. The Church of England has reasserted its identity as a Protestant Church. Whether it will be a liberal or conservative Protestant denomination remains to be seen. H/T to A Concord Pastor Comments for the heads up on this breaking news. You... Read more

The Joy of Public Transit

Last updated on: July 7, 2008 at 5:02 pm By Edward Blackadder

Ezra Klein, on the advantages of cap and trade: A cap and trade carbon plan will raise the cost of carbon intensive products like gasoline. That’s how it works to discourage carbon consumption. By capping emissions, and then lowering the cap, it makes carbon-intensive products relatively more expensive, which in turn increases the economic incentives to purchase, and develop, non-carbon intensive products. This, in the short-term, makes gasoline more expensive. That’s the point of it. There are a variety of... Read more

Keeping Faith

Last updated on: July 7, 2008 at 3:07 pm By jonathanjonesuiwdpt

Great news: after six years in captivity, hostages including Ingrid Betancourt were freed in an amazing rescue coordinated by Columbian President Uribe (who publicly and privately prayed the Rosary) with help from U.S. and European forces. She credited a “tremendous spirituality to stop yourself falling into the abyss,” and Betancourt secretly made religious icons to help sustain their faith. (H/T the Creative Minority Report – check out the reflection on being a wii Catholic.) Read more

Elementary Civics

Last updated on: July 7, 2008 at 11:07 am By M.Z.

I saw a story recently on how fewer than a third of all people could identify the governor of California. This was naturally compared to people who knew some celebrity. And while I can appreciate the snobbish appeal of many of these surveys the comparisons seem inapt. For those of us who follow politics like religion, naming governors isn’t that hard, depending on your standard. As I was debating this in my head, I realized that there were relatively few... Read more

What is Jindal Thinking?

Last updated on: July 7, 2008 at 10:56 am By Morning's Minion

Apparently Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal– the Republican Catholic convert who seems to induce an ecstatic frenzy among some pseudo-conservative American Catholics– has signed an education bill that would, among other things, mandate the teaching of so-called intelligent design. More specifically, authorities “shall allow … open and objective discussion of scientific theories being studied including, but not limited to, evolution, the origins of life, global warming and human cloning.” (more…) Read more

Vox Nova At The Tele: Doctor Who, Journey’s End

Last updated on: July 7, 2008 at 10:01 am By Henry Karlson

Four years of Doctor Who. That is what Russell T Davies had planned. While things have moved on so that Doctor Who will continue beyond its fourth season ending, it is quite clear that the last episode was meant to wrap up most of the plot elements which developed for the past few years. And even if one can go on and point out all the plot holes, there is no denying the fact that Russell T. Davies has provided... Read more

The Principle of Reparations

Last updated on: July 5, 2008 at 9:00 pm By Edward Blackadder

Previous in Series: Racism without Racists? During his now famous sermon at Trinity United, Father Michael Pfleger said the following: We must be honest enough to address the one who says, “Don’t hold me responsible for what my ancestors did.” But you have enjoyed the benefits of what your ancestors did. And unless you are ready to give up the benefits, throw away your 401 fund, throw away your trust fund, throw away all the money that’s been put away... Read more

The Politics of Infallibility at Vatican I (Part 6)

Last updated on: July 5, 2008 at 11:04 am By Policraticus

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 The Final Acts The deputation studied the ninety-six amendments proposed at the General Congregations, as well as four-eight that were submitted in writing, and thoroughly reworked the schema. On July 11, Bishop Gasser of Brixen spoke on behalf of the deputation, providing a “quasi-official relatio” that “laid down the basic principles of interpretation which were presumably in the minds of the bishops” on the deputation.[1] He explained that infallibility does... Read more

Independence Day

Last updated on: July 4, 2008 at 10:56 am By Policraticus

Happy Independence Day to all our readers. Here are a few oldies to mark the day: Reflections on the Flag Praise for George Washington from Leo XIII Patriotism as a Virtue When I see the flag, I am reminded of the glory and the sins in the history of America. Patriotism is not only pride in one’s country (not necessarily in one’s State), but it is also criticism of the history of that culture. And there is plenty to be... Read more

What animal was used to represent the Holy Spirit?