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Monthly Archives: June 2021
Fratelli Tutti 203: Building Together
This paragraph and the two that follow fall under the heading of “Building Together.” What might that mean in context of dialogue and friendship? 203. Authentic social dialogue involves the ability to respect the other’s point of view and to … Continue reading
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Populorum Progressio 38: Professional Organizations
38. In the task of development (humankind) finds the family to be the first and most basic social structure; but (people are) often helped by professional organizations. While such organizations are founded to aid and assist their members, they bear … Continue reading
Posted in Populorum Progressio, social justice
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The Return Of 2021
You might think this poster, left, was part of some diocese’s effort to gather in the pandemic strays as the Sunday obligation returns in most places. But no, this was an effort begun well before recent lockdowns, and it looks … Continue reading
Communion Crash
Over at PrayTell, a poke at a secular columnist’s opinion on the need for education. The lack of theological or prudential clarity doesn’t strike me as the need for a “crash course” in the Eucharist or the virtues. I think … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 202: Dialogue, It’s Lack, and the Heroes Who Might Rescue It
202. Lack of dialogue means that in these individual sectors people are concerned not for the common good, but for the benefits of power or, at best, for ways to impose their own ideas. Round tables thus become mere negotiating … Continue reading
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Populorum Progressio 37: Population Growth
Let’s talk about overpopulation. Perhaps some would prefer a return to the time of Jesus, just a few hundred million human beings. Standing room only with social distancing puts us past 30 trillion. Everybody would pretty much drop a problem … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 201: Clinging To One’s Ideas
201. Indeed, the media’s noisy potpourri of facts and opinions is often an obstacle to dialogue, since it lets everyone cling stubbornly to his or her own ideas, interests and choices, with the excuse that everyone else is wrong. Mainly … Continue reading
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Populorum Progressio 36: Role Of The Family
36. (Human beings are) not really (themselves), however, except within the framework of society and there the family plays the basic and most important role. Still true, despite excesses: The family’s influence may have been excessive at some periods of … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 200: Dialogue Isn’t Electronic
Today, a helpful reminder: 200. Dialogue is often confused with something quite different: the feverish exchange of opinions on social networks, frequently based on media information that is not always reliable. These exchanges are merely parallel monologues. They may attract … Continue reading
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Coherence And Dispensation
My wife and I were discussing the feeling of absence from Sunday Mass. I wouldn’t share my wife’s specific feelings of loss. Because of her medical condition, she hasn’t always been able to get out for Mass. (Though I will … Continue reading
Posted in bishops, Liturgy
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Populorum Progressio 35: Basic Education
Education, gathering information, learning to think and analyze, and appreciating knowledge–this is one important factor. 35. We can even say that economic growth is dependent on social progress, the goal to which it aspires; and that basic education is the … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 199: Social Dialogue For A New Culture
Chapter 6, topic 1: Social Dialogue for a New Culture. 199. Some people attempt to flee from reality, taking refuge in their own little world; others react to it with destructive violence. To some extent, this happens across ideological boundaries, … Continue reading
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Populorum Progressio 34: The Ultimate Purpose
Material wealth really must be accompanied by progress of people in their cultures. 34. Organized programs designed to increase productivity should have but one aim: to serve human nature. They should reduce inequities, eliminate discrimination, free (people) from the bonds … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 198: Dialogue And Friendship In Society
Today, we commence Chapter Six, “DIALOGUE AND FRIENDSHIP IN SOCIETY.” It’s a short chapter, only 27 sections. In it, Pope Francis writes of cooperation, consensus, and people working together. We begin with a good word, not a scary one: dialogue. … Continue reading
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Getting the Hand of Paint 3D
I confess I haven’t liked paint 3D for years. Now, maybe that’s different. I think of this as something a super-Earth might look like. Not super-hot, but more temperate. No life, but a lot of rock and a little water.
Posted in Astronomy
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Catholic Sensibility 