Catholics have long held the use of their church as places of refuge and sanctuary. While it might not seem to have as great a place in Western society in our post-Christian era as it did in previous generations, the Catholic Church still takes the role of sanctuary seriously. But, it seems the Cuban government, like many Catholic bloggers who complained about the New Sanctuary Movement or the way Belgian Bishops opened up their churches to Arab immigrants, does not like... Read more
I’ve talked quite a bit about the trends of rising inequality in America, and I thought I would continue that discussion, going a lot deeper. For a start, let’s drag out the old reliable chart developed by Paul Krugman from an influential paper by Picketty and Saez (2003), measuring the share of the richest 10 percent in national income: (more…) Read more
Yay! On December 5th, 1933, Utah, the final state needed for a three quarters majority, ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition and restoring the American right to a celebratory drink. Read more
A key Vatican official has called the lack of public funding for Catholic schools in the US “a disaster.” Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education, which includes seminaries, told a Vatican news conference that the US government should do more to allow parents to choose the educational option they desire for their children. The cardinal, while presenting a new document, “Educating Together in Catholic Schools,” criticized the US system saying, “The state does not... Read more
In the wake of The Golden Compass and much longer dated Brokeback Mountain, some have questioned the utility of the USCCB Film and Broadcast Office offering reviews. The criticism comes in one of two forms: The private sector is fully capable of providing reviews. Decent Films would be an example of this. The USCCB should primarily concern itself with doctrinal matters, and it fails in this mission when it allows factors outside purely Catholic concerns to predominate its movie reviews.... Read more
New marble-top commode: $23,000 Staying at Presidential Suites when traveling: $5,000/night Brand New Rolls Royce: $333,000 “Ministry” Jet: $20,000,000 Not having to pay taxes: Priceless Go here for more on Senator Grassley’s inquiry on the finances of televangelists. I honestly wonder how people that go to these churches don’t question the excessive lifestyle of these preachers. It’s just sad. Read more
Last night was my first NFP class as I embark on my mission to become a Billings Ovulation Method instructor. I learned how much I do not know. I also wondered how you teach NFP to a person using hormonal contraception. I asked the instructors and they said that they still have the woman chart for 2 weeks anyway just so they get the idea. NOW, IF a woman is using hormonal contraception, her chart SHOULD not change because ovulation... Read more
The Barna Group has released their newest research, indicating some interesting (and possibly disturbing) trends in American Society.* First, they mention how their study shows that we have a very narcissistic interest in ourselves while, at the same time, we distrust others. Secondly, they noted an individualistic mentality continues to exist and lay behind the way most Americans act and react. However, almost paradoxically to this, we have a desire to progress with the rest of society so that we can be seen as following with and a part of “mainstream society.”... Read more
Apparently, he has joined McCain in condemning waterboarding, and wants to shut down the notorious prison Guantanamo Bay. On this, he starts apart from the cowardly position of so many others (most notoriously, Romney and Giuliani). It remains to be seen how this will play with the foam-at-the-mouth element of the Republican base. Read more
Allow me to answer the question bothering everyone, “Would opposing Mitt Romney for President because he is Mormon be evil?” No. Opposing him because you don’t think he would look good in a Speedo isn’t evil either. As to the question of whether it is prudent, that is another issue altogether. (more…) Read more
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