I largely concur with MZ’s thoughts on the issue. He claimed he would regret the post. Well, I am going to go a lot further than he did, so my regret will probably be proportionately greater! This is a truly poor judgment, reflective of a prevalent anti-Catholicism that has never been too far below the surface of American history. It is an example of vengeance trumping justice, of the punishment not fitting the crime. It is an example of emotion... Read more
This reminded me of C.S.Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. If the Devil were to write his Beatitudes, they would probably go something like this: Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Mass — they are my best workers. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked — I can use them. Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of... Read more
I’m going to do something here that I will probably regret. Herewith is an open comment box for any issues you would like to discuss regarding the sex abuse case settlement in Los Angeles. Personally I think it is a sad day. While this won’t win me any sympathy awards, an average settlement per plaintiff of over $1,000,000 is gross and ridiculous. That the archdiocese feared damages could be greater than that if awarded by a jury speaks to our... Read more
In the wake of the CDF’s latest release, I thought this was one of the better reactions by a prominent protestant leader. Bottom line: There remain serious theological differences between Catholics and protestants, and neither side is doing the other any favors by papering over them. This is not to say that we should not discuss these differences with our protestant brothers and sisters in a loving/charitable manner. We most certainly should. In this respect, I think Dr. Mohler’s response... Read more
From the other day posted here, Heart, Mind, and Strength have posted this tidbit of information that I thought I would pass along with all of you. Disturbing to say the least. The Sierra Club along with several environmental advocacy groups filed a citizen’s petition to the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) concerning a category of cleaning agents that, in low concentrations, produce female fish hormones in male fish. Basically these cleaning agents mimic estrogen/progesterone to produce... Read more
Kasper and the recent CDF document In recent days, Walter Cardinal Kasper, has been accused (falsely) of being “an antagonist of Pope Benedict XVI” and of leaving “something to be desired” largely in reaction to his recent statement following the release of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith’s recent document, Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church. Kasper’s statement, entitled “An Invitation to Dialogue”, is a very simple and concise outlook at... Read more
In the essay, Called to be Mediators Between God and Creation, I wrote that our sins have an effect on the environment, and it is quite possible to read the environmental crisis facing us today as being built up by the sins of the world. As I wrote, “Placed upon the earth to be mediators between God and the rest of creation, our sins sully not only ourselves but our ward as well. Indeed, at several points in Scripture, we... Read more
“The political and economic crises in Zimbabwe are worsening at an alarming rate…Unemployment is over 85 per cent, poverty over 90 per cent, and foreign reserves are almost depleted. Over four million persons are in desperate need of food. HIV/AIDS and malnutrition kill thousands every month .”… read more.In the comfort of our own homes, it is easy to forget the poverty in other places, not to mention other various dire conditions. As we speak, there is a serious emergency... Read more
Today, the 14th of July, is the feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, famed patroness of Native American missions. Her influence within the Native American sphere can be seen by the annual Native American Catholic gathering, the Tekakwitha Conference, and how they chose her as their patron. This conference is an important one, where the difficulties of being Native American and Catholic are addressed: how much of the Native American culture can be or should be embraced? What response should there... Read more
Recently, I criticized Catholics Against Rudy for taking Giuliani to task on abortion while seeming to give him a free pass on torture. I am happy to say that this is no long the case. The website now includes torture as one of the issues on which Rudy is out of line with Church teachings. Good for them! I now consider my objection withdrawn. Read more
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