Cardinal Virtues

Last updated on: March 11, 2013 at 6:51 pm By Julia Smucker

With the cardinals assembled in Rome and the papal conclave set to begin tomorrow, my corner of the Catholic world, populated as it is by fellow ecclesial nerds, is all abuzz. The shock waves caused by Benedict’s startling resignation seem to have built up to a sense of nervous excitement as we watch the cardinals themselves attempt to get their bearings for the direction of the Church. With an abundance of speculations but no clear-cut favorite, there is a feel of anticipation in the... Read more

Pope, Outgoing and Incoming

Last updated on: March 4, 2013 at 5:11 pm By Morning's Minion

Somewhat belatedly, I thought I would offer some reflections on the current situation. I was surprised and somewhat saddened by Pope Benedict’s resignation. Sure, I was a little skeptical when Ratzinger was first elected, fearing a divisive papacy. But I soon realized that Benedict was not the second coming of Pius X, but rather a pope who understood that truth was built on a firm foundation of love rather than suspicion. This key can be found in the titles he chose for... Read more

Prisoners of Moral Mediocrity

Last updated on: May 3, 2017 at 1:26 pm By David Cruz-Uribe

This was the commentary added to the readings by Daily Gospel Online, a service I use to get the daily readings emailed to me, for Ash Wednesday. Now that the first burst of Lenten “enthusiasm” (for want of a better word) has worn off, I think it is a timely reminder for me and for all of us: Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6: 1-2). Indeed in the Christian vision... Read more

Why the Church can’t be Synagogal

Last updated on: February 28, 2013 at 12:14 pm By Joshua B

In the comments to Julia’s recent post , Ross very kindly complemented one of my prior posts, which looked towards a more exilic ecclesiology. Ross laments that the Church is not more like Judaism of exilic times. “Yoder’s reading of Jeremiah, the Jewish communal life in the exile took on a few key characteristics, characteristics which he believes the post-Christendom Church should emulate… Local cells of the Jewish community, called synagogues, were formed wherever ten households were present. No hierarchical recognition... Read more

Benedict’s last audience: God guides his Church

Last updated on: February 27, 2013 at 9:39 am By Joshua B

Farewell, Holy Father Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood! Distinguished Authorities! Dear brothers and sisters! Thank you for coming in such large numbers to this last General Audience of my pontificate. [I am so moved by your presence – when I see you, I see the living church.] Like the Apostle Paul in the biblical text that we have heard, I feel in my heart the paramount duty to thank God, who guides the Church and makes... Read more

A Chair, a Shepherd, a Servant

Last updated on: February 22, 2013 at 11:55 pm By Julia Smucker

Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and the one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will... Read more

Apology to Magdalene Women

Last updated on: February 20, 2013 at 11:53 am By Morning's Minion

In an extremely emotional speech, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny apologized to the generations of women who were kept as slaves in laundries run by religious orders. These women knew only cruelty, suffering, and torment, supposedly in the service of God. This was the rotten fruit of a Jansenist culture. The speech is worth watching in full. Kenny breaks down at the end. The full text is here. Here are some highlights: (more…) Read more

Is it Theology, Misogyny or Power?

Last updated on: May 3, 2017 at 1:26 pm By David Cruz-Uribe

Two weeks ago the subject of women’s ordination to the priesthood was briefly in the news again. Father Wojciech Giertych, a Dominican and theologian of the papal household to Pope Benedict XVI, gave an interview in which he discussed the theological objections to ordaining women to the priesthood. The interview was summarized in print and in a short video by Catholic News Service. His argument for the most part does not break new ground, reiterating instead the basic arguments advanced... Read more

Benedict XVI, Vox Nova Reflects – Demystifying the Papacy

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 6:45 pm By Joshua B

Like many here, I have grown to love and admire Pope Benedict. As a student of his works I have come to realize that his thoughts and intentions often go far deeper than the surface layers seem to indicate. He is one of the great teachers of our age who has a knack for cutting through the superficial threads of disagreement and pinpointing the knot around which trouble forms. My interests in Benedict’s thought focus on the ecclesiological. Indeed he... Read more

“It Is Beautiful To Be Old!”

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 11:45 am By Mark Gordon

Rocco Palmo’s Whispers in the Loggia blog has the following as it’s “quote for the day.” It’s from an address Pope Benedict XVI gave to the residents of “Viva Gli Anziani” (Long Live the Elderly), an old-age home in Rome, last November. As one who cares for an elderly parent – my mother, who, incidentally, is the finest Christian I know – I found this to be one of the most profound reflections on the richness of old age that... Read more