Category Archives: Commentary

Over The Sober Line

Posted on 27 August 2012 by

Liam sent me this news item from the Left Coast. A bit of commentary in the article from a canon lawyer, and from a theologian. Likely no delay in a planned installation. And unless it pops up there’s a serious … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops, Commentary | Leave a comment

The Cult of Popularity, Or Is It?

Posted on 26 August 2012 by

More often I see complaints in the Catholic blogosphere along the lines of this. N values popularity of a constituency more than speaking out for the truth. One recent example: The flock has been scattered on our watch. Vast numbers … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, The Blogosphere | 2 Comments

Tale of Two Planets

Posted on 2 August 2012 by

David Gibson has a good feature on LCWR head Pat Farrell over at RNS today. What a life experience: an Iowa farm childhood, loss of a father at an early age, Texas, Chile, El Salvador. I’ve had a dramatic life, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Ministry, women religious | 3 Comments

LCWR Response Coming Soon

Posted on 29 July 2012 by

Laurie Goodstein at the NYT has a feature up this weekend on the upcoming LCWR meeting and the response to come from a summer of discernment. I guess my own summer has been roaring by; I didn’t realize the moment … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary, Ministry, Politics | 1 Comment

Culpability?

Posted on 26 July 2012 by

People do incomprehensible, senseless, and evil things. Because we do not have windows over our hearts or in our heads, often times the unbelievable seems to pop up out of nowhere. Fr Dwight Longenecker, like many of us, can’t comprehend a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, spirituality, The Blogosphere | Leave a comment

Taking Bridal Imagery Too Far

Posted on 19 July 2012 by

Be forewarned about some inappropriate marriage imagery in the following text and links … CitE* Watch, courtesy of Whispers: roccopalmo In Vespers preach, +Chaput to his Denver successor: “You’re marrying a beautiful bride…. And I’m overjoyed to pass the baton … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary, Ministry | 2 Comments

Evangelism, Not Ideology

Posted on 18 July 2012 by

At RNS, Tom Ehrlich takes his turn at Ross Douthat’s misreading of the American religious climate. I think he’s a good bit closer to the mark in suggesting that Christianity is in decline because it is too conservative (in actual … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, evangelization, Ministry | Leave a comment

RNS on Ross

Posted on 16 July 2012 by

Ross Douthat’s takedown of liberal Christianity is itself given a brisk one-two in the gut by Mark Silk and Daniel Burke at RNS. Mr Douthat is smarter than this: As a result, today the Episcopal Church looks roughly how Roman … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Ministry, Politics | 2 Comments

Loyalty Oaths and Projection

Posted on 12 July 2012 by

I surely not a psychologist, but maybe having read enough books to be dangerous, I still have a sense of projection when I see it. So what’s with these loyalty oaths popping up all over the place? If you listen … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary, Ministry | 8 Comments

Bishop Excommunicated

Posted on 11 July 2012 by

So here’s a question: Isn’t this essentially the same situation as the SSPX bishops, only Bishop Yue doesn’t celebrate the Mass by the 1962 Rite?

Posted in Church News, Commentary | 6 Comments

Archbishop Müller on Liberals, Stupidity

Posted on 9 July 2012 by

From the Religion News Service, this transcribed interview of new CDF head Archbishop Müller with the Mittelbayerische Zeitung. (Cathcon, however, doesn’t provide links to the original. I would love to check the translation in a language I actually know.) They quiz … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary, The Blogosphere | 1 Comment

Sr Stella, Worthy Woman

Posted on 7 July 2012 by

I saw this CNS piece on Benedictine sister Stella Matutina, victim of a nighttime raid by the Philippine military a few years ago: Along with three companions, including one novice from her congregation, she had gone to (Taytayan) at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary, Ministry, Other Places | 4 Comments

Pope Benedict, Stalker?

Posted on 30 June 2012 by

I like the UCANews site for its coverage of Catholic matters across the continent of Asia. Their commentary is often thoughtful and occasionally tart, like this essay by Fr William Grimm, who suggests that schismatic Catholics aren’t the only ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, ecumenism, Liturgy, Ministry, Politics | Leave a comment

Serenity Restoration

Posted on 25 June 2012 by

I notice over at the NCReg that Pope Benedict met with departments heads and cardinal over the recent leaks. Spokesperson Federico Lombardi mentioned that the Holy Father wishes “to “speed up” the conclusion of the “Vatileaks” scandal and to “restore … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Commentary, Ministry | 1 Comment

Dealing With Dan

Posted on 19 June 2012 by

My friend and frequent commenter Charles recommended I consider Ross Douthat’s Dan Brown essay from a few years’ back. Even though I’ve panned his recent book, I consider Mr Douthat a serious commentator, a conservative voice worth attention. And anytime … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 8 Comments