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Monthly Archives: October 2015
Invention or Innovation?
The Holy Father’s acrostic reflection on “FAMIGLIA,” or Italian for you-know-what word moves to the seventh letter in seven days. I’m a skeptic on the idealization of “programs.” But Pope Francis looks at four areas of ministry which do not … Continue reading
Laudato Si 139: A Relationship Between Nature and Human Society
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. How people and the natural environment interact, intermix, and co-exist is at the root of the problem. Pope Francis suggests that we’re not talking about two separate crises, … Continue reading
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Laboring for Strong and Faithful Families
Does the Holy Father care about so-called faithful Catholics? It would seem so. He devoted one reflection on “FAMIGLIA” to the notion that we should work to assist those who remain faithful in the midst of obstacles:. Laboring intensely to sustain … Continue reading
Laudato Si 138: Environmental, Economic and Social Ecology
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Paragraphs 138-142 cover “Environmental, economic and social ecology.” We lead off with a basic definition: 138. Ecology studies the relationship between living organisms and the environment in which … Continue reading
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Gaining and Rebuilding Trust
We continue with the final footnote from the synod-concluding speech of Pope Francis. Looking at “FAMIGLIA,” or Italian for you-know-what word, we turn to what we seek to gain: Gaining and humbly rebuilding trust in the Church, which has been gravely … Continue reading
The Two-and-a-Half Solution
I read James Martin’s recent post with interest, but with some trepidation for the man. Pewsitter is already alight with glee and into full vilification mode. Because, really: the blogosphere is little better than an elementary school playground at its … Continue reading
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Laudato Si 137: Integral Ecology
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Chapter Four lives ahead, 26 numbered paragraphs. We’ll examine five topics with Pope Francis: Environmental, economic and social ecology [138-142], Cultural ecology [143-146], Ecology of daily life [147-155], The principle of … Continue reading
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Illuminating Consciences
The Holy Father turns his attention to those “assailed” in their sense of right and wrong. From the fourth letter of “FAMIGLIA,” let’s look at illumination: Illuminating consciences often assailed by harmful and subtle dynamics which even attempt to replace God … Continue reading
Laudato Si 136: Locating Ethics
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Pope Francis criticizes those who defend the environment, but not human life: 136. On the other hand, it is troubling that, when some ecological movements defend the integrity … Continue reading
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Manifesting Mercy
The Holy Father had some footnotes for his synod-concluding speech last week. The final note was an acrostic reflection on “FAMIGLIA,” or Italian for you-know-what word. M is for Mercy, right? Manifesting and bringing God’s mercy to families in need; … Continue reading
Laudato Si 135: Bringing Together Various Competencies
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. 135. Certainly, these issues require constant attention and a concern for their ethical implications. A broad, responsible scientific and social debate needs to take place, one capable of … Continue reading
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A Theology of Kolinahr
Perhaps it is emotional constipation, a distrust of one obvious way God made us, that has damaged the Church. We are not aliens, after all, devoted to a fictional philosophy of Gene Roddenberry. God has given us minds, certainly. But … Continue reading
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Approaching Others
We continue with the last footnote from the synod-concluding speech of Pope Francis. A is for “approaching others.” Approaching others, since a Church closed in on herself is a dead Church, while a Church which doesn’t leave her own precincts behind … Continue reading
Laudato Si 134: Land Ownership Issues
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Pope Francis seems less concerned with a prudent and careful use of accelerated genetics, and more with the disparity between rich and poor, especially the movement of rural … Continue reading
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Forming New Generations
The Holy Father had some footnotes for his synod-concluding speech. The last one was an acrostic reflection on “FAMIGLIA,” or Italian for family, as you know. One a day for the coming eight days, leading off with F for “Forming … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 