Sam Rocha, a friend of mine from Franciscan University, wrote down some of his thoughts in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit. I thought I’d post them here to generate a discussion: So, el Papa is coming to town. I decided to write this note as a preface of sorts. Not to attempt to predict his message, but, instead, as a preemptive reminder to pay attention. This, of course, might seem a bit odd. The media world is already paying... Read more
One of the National Review bloggers, Mark Krikorian, discusses an extremely interesting poll that shows 82 percent of American Christians feeling a “moral and biblical” obligation to support Israel. 89 percent of evangelicals. Not too much a surprise, exposed as they are to the Darbyesque dispensationalist drivel. But here’s the kicker: 76 percent of Catholics feel the same way. Oh dear. (more…) Read more
Blackadder adds a link to more frivolity. A Clinton spokesman added, “What happens in Estonia, stays in Estonia.” Read more
Happy birthday to our own Matthew Fish! If you’re doing presents, buy him an Alasdair MacIntyre or John Milbank book! Read more
Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Because Maistre’s name might not be readily known in the twenty-first century, one might assume his ideas were his alone, and had little actual influence outside of a small circle of admirers. Such, however, was not the case. While he was alive, he established a large circle of friends and readers which could be found throughout Europe. In his work in Russia, not only did he charm the Tsar,... Read more
Sen. Robert Casey and Timothy Roemer have endorsed Barack Obama, hoping to bolster his chances in the Pennsylvania primary. Despite their work for the pro-life cause among Democrats, they have decided to support Obama. As Sen. Casey puts it: “”He has the unique skills to try to lower the temperature and foster a sense of common ground, and try to figure out ways that people can agree.” Casey added that getting around the issue of abortion was “particularly hard.” As... Read more
here’s been a lot of talk in the Democratic primary campaign recently on the issue of trade. Both of the remaining Democratic Presidential candidates have denounced NAFTA, often in extreme terms, and both have been caught having subordinates telling foreign governments they don’t really mean it. But as Philippe Legrain pointed out in Sunday’s Washington Post, imports from Mexico in 2007 equaled only 1.7% of the total U.S. economy, while exports equaled 1.1% (and needless to say, at least some... Read more
One of the things that depresses me most about the Catholic blogosphere is the (thankfully small) number of blogging priests who triumph their Americanism, even at times above their faith, so it seems. It gives me no joy to point this out, and it’s not about scoring points. It’s about a sense of sadness and frustration. Anyway, see this post from Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, apparently one of the more popular of the blogging priests (he seems to attract the all-our-problems-will-be-solved-with-the-tridentine-Mass... Read more
Back in 2000, when there was no indication that Doctor Who would ever return to television, a small company, Big Finish, was producing new full-cast Doctor Who audio adventures featuring actors from the classic television series. One of the stories was The Fires of Vulcan, featuring Sylvester McCoy (the seventh Doctor) in a historical drama concerning the destruction of Pompeii. Central to the story was the question of destiny – what could the Doctor do in a situation which was... Read more
Apparently, President Bush is going to make the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in the United States one for the books. According to the AP (via CNN), Bush is preparing a very special and atypical greeting: That changes this week, and President Bush is pulling out all the stops: driving out to a suburban military base to meet Pope Benedict XVI’s plane, bringing a giant audience to the South Lawn and hosting a fancy East Room dinner. These are all... Read more
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