Patron Saints for Struggling Souls

Patron Saints for Struggling Souls

Shifting Tectonic Plates in Eastern Christianity

Shifting Tectonic Plates in Eastern Christianity | George Weigel | First Things

A remarkable philosopher passes at 99: British philosopher Mary Midgley was a lifelong foe of scientism

A remarkable philosopher passes at 99

Double Lives: Commonweal Magazine's take on clerical hypocrisy

Double Lives | Commonweal Magazine

Jesus’ Response to the Scandals?

Jesus’ Response to the Scandals?

Five more times to make the sign of the cross

5 Ways the Catholic Church has changed the world

Millennial input, 5 examples Catholic greatness

Letters From the Synod-2018: #19

Letters From the Synod-2018: #19 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

If bishops’ summit was ‘rigged’ on synodality, one question: So what?

I guess it all depends on what one means by 'synodality'. It seems to be hard to capture a definitive definition as it is to nail Jello to the wall!! Evidently, it's one of those words that means different things to different people.



If bishops’ summit was ‘rigged’ on synodality, one question: So what?

Pope Francis' Bold Tweet and Other Synod News Notes

Pope Francis' Bold Tweet and Other Synod News Notes - New Ways Ministry

Magna Carta for transhumanists

BioEdge: Magna Carta for transhumanists

Pope wraps up synod on youth claiming persecution over abuse

Pope wraps up synod on youth claiming persecution over abuse - ABC News

In response to the antisemitic attack in Pittsburgh this morning... something beautiful from the Jewish culture

What is ‘synodality’? Experts explain

What is ‘synodality’? Experts explain

Charles Lewis: St. Francis sets an example for reformers

Charles Lewis: St. Francis sets an example for reformers

Higher Representation of African, Asian Prelates on Synod of Bishops’ Ordinary Council

Higher Representation of African, Asian Prelates on Synod of Bishops’ Ordinary Council

Do You Want A Happy Marriage? Master These Virtues!

Do You Want A Happy Marriage? Master These Virtues! — Aleteia

Over 200 Australian Youths Send Open Letter to the Synod Fathers

Over 200 Australian Youths Send Open Letter to the Synod Fathers | uCatholic

Letters From the Synod-2018: #18

Letters From the Synod-2018: #18 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Pope puts "no complaining" sign on office door

Pope puts "no complaining" sign on office door--Aleteia

Editorial: A chance to change - Sentiment is growing to more fully integrate women into the everyday life of the male-dominated Church

Editorial: A chance to change

Synod missed chance to apologize for sex abuse, Archbishop Chaput says

Synod missed chance to apologize for sex abuse, Archbishop Chaput says

The Gender Identity Phantom

The Gender Identity Phantom – gdworkinggroup.org

Quebec wants to expand religious symbol ban, blocking Muslim garments in civil service

Quebec wants to expand religious symbol ban, blocking Muslim garments in civil service | CBC News

Amid sex abuse crisis, Pope Francis calls on U.S. bishops to gather for retreat at Mundelein Seminary in January

Amid sex abuse crisis, Pope Francis calls on U.S. bishops to gather for retreat at Mundelein Seminary in January - NY Daily News

Pope Francis fires bishop of Memphis

Pope Francis fires bishop of Memphis - CNN

'Amoris' the dog that's not barking at the 2018 Synod

'Amoris' the dog that's not barking at the 2018 Synod

Canadian prelate says synod is about bringing young people to Christ

Canadian prelate says synod is about bringing young people to Christ

Long a lightning rod, Sodano figures in McCarrick/Viganò saga too

Long a lightning rod, Sodano figures in McCarrick/Viganò saga too

A Public Church, not a Partisan Church

A Public Church, not a Partisan Church | George Weigel | First Things

Issue of married Catholic priests gains traction under pope

Issue of married Catholic priests gains traction under pope - StarTribune.com

Catholic leaders enter final week of debate on how to receive LGBT churchgoers

Really? I thought this was the final week of debate on how to address the needs of youth in the Roman Catholic Church. Does Fox News think that all youth belong in the LGBT envelope?



Catholic leaders enter final week of debate on how to receive LGBT churchgoers | Fox News

How the clergy sex abuse crisis is affecting young Catholics

How the clergy sex abuse crisis is affecting young Catholics - The Washington Post

Pope Francis Begins Archbishop McCarrick Investigation

Pope Francis Begins Archbishop McCarrick Investigation – EpicPew

Italian priest faces blowback for pro-immigrant stance

Italian priest faces blowback for pro-immigrant stance

Jamal Khashoggi and the Competing Visions of Islam

Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi and the Competing Visions of Islam - The New York Times

Letters From the Synod-2018: #16

Letters From the Synod-2018: #16 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Horoscopes: Gateway to the occult?

Horoscopes: Gateway to the occult? --Aleteia

No, 'Mere Christianity' Isn't Enough To Keep Me Catholic Post-Scandal

No, 'Mere Christianity' Isn't Enough To Keep Me Catholic Post-Scandal

Letters From the Synod-2018: #15

Letters From the Synod-2018: #15 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

God and Dog: A song that captures my love for both!

Reflections on Archbishop Viganò’s Courageous Third Letter

Reflections on Archbishop Viganò’s Courageous Third Letter

16 Quotes from St. John Paul II about the essentials in life

16 Quotes from St. John Paul II about the essentials in life

Pope Francis's Catholic Church Crisis

Pope Francis's Catholic Church Crisis -- National Review Symposium | National Review

Letters From the Synod-2018: #14

Letters From the Synod-2018: #14 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

The difference between legal and moral explained in one simple graphic

Hymn of the week: "Abide With Me"

The links in this story provide a couple of video versions of this wonderful hymn, but I believe the best rendition was done by Emeli Sandé during the opening ceremony of the London Summer Olympics.

Hymn of the week: "Abide With Me"

The history of incense and why it’s used at Mass

The history of incense and why it’s used at Mass

Who will protect Canadian doctors if they are forced to refer for euthanasia?

Who will protect Canadian doctors if they are forced to refer for euthanasia?

Bishops press for abuse scandals, women and more to be in final text

Bishops press for abuse scandals, women and more to be in final text

Archbishop critical of Pope Francis denies wanting to topple him

Archbishop critical of Pope Francis denies wanting to topple him | Reuters

1.2 Billion Catholics; 116,000 seminarians; 5,000 hospitals: Some of the Church’s numbers

1.2 Billion Catholics; 116,000 seminarians; 5,000 hospitals: Some of the Church’s numbers

‘Steep and Icy Slope’: Toronto Hospital Eyes Euthanizing Kids Without Parental Consent

‘Steep and Icy Slope’: Toronto Hospital Eyes Euthanizing Kids Without Parental Consent

Is Pope Francis Following St. Romero’s Strategy of Silence?

Is Pope Francis Following St. Romero’s Strategy of Silence?

McCarrick Scandal Spotlights Bishops’ Appointment Process

McCarrick Scandal Spotlights Bishops’ Appointment Process

The 2.9E49 Ton Gorilla in the Living Room: A book review of Steven R. Hemler’s 'The Reality of God: The Layman’s Guide to Scientific Evidence for the Creator'

The 2.9E49 Ton Gorilla in the Living Room

Synod Commission to Write Message to Youth; Discussion Group Names Not Released

Synod Commission to Write Message to Youth; Discussion Group Names Not Released

Archbishop Vigano's Third Testimony

Archbishop Vigano's Third Testimony | Pope Francis | Catholic Church

Jesus and Pope Francis: Contagious peace and joy

Jesus and Pope Francis: Contagious peace and joy | National Catholic Reporter

'Pope Francis has questions to answer': America's Catholics in crisis over abuse scandals

'Pope Francis has questions to answer': America's Catholics in crisis over abuse scandals | US news | The Guardian

Letters From the Synod-2018: #13

Letters From the Synod-2018: #13 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

The Orthodox Schism and the Spiritual Limits of Politics

Opinion | The Orthodox Schism and the Spiritual Limits of Politics - The New York Times

Astronomers find most massive structure in the early universe

Astronomers find most massive structure in the early universe | CBC News

'I believe the Lord wants a change in the Church’: A private dialogue with the Jesuits in the Baltics

LA CIVILTÀ CATTOLICA – 'I believe the Lord wants a change in the Church’: A private dialogue with the Jesuits in the Baltics

New TV comedy-drama highlights unifying power of religion

New TV comedy-drama highlights unifying power of religion

Letters From the Synod-2018: #12

Letters From the Synod-2018: #12 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Is It Morally Licit to Smoke Pot?

Is It Morally Licit to Smoke Pot?

John Paul II, Youth Minister by George Weigel

John Paul II, Youth Minister | George Weigel | First Things

Synod Father: Teach Life Issues With Greater Clarity Than Ever

Synod Father: Teach Life Issues With Greater Clarity Than Ever

Catholic Clergy Should Elect Its Own Bishops

Opinion | Catholic Clergy Should Elect Its Own Bishops - The New York Times

Letters From the Synod-2018: #11

Letters From the Synod-2018: #11 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

"No One Dies Alone" program comforts the lonely in their last moments

"No One Dies Alone" program comforts the lonely in their last moments

Seven Notable Points From Cardinal Ouellet’s ‘Viganò Letter’

Seven Notable Points From Cardinal Ouellet’s ‘Viganò Letter’

Interceding for Others by Praying the Rosary

Interceding for Others by Praying the Rosary

New Bible aims to bridge the Catholic ‘scripture gap’

New Bible aims to bridge the Catholic ‘scripture gap’ - Angelus News - Multimedia Catholic News

Letters From the Synod-2018: #10

Letters From the Synod-2018: #10 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Three (and a Half)-Step Plan for Reforming the Church

Three (and a Half)-Step Plan for Reforming the Church

The Pope Ignores the Damage as Another Prelate Falls

Opinion | The Pope Ignores the Damage as Another Prelate Falls - The New York Times

It’s Getting Harder to Talk About God: The decline in our spiritual vocabulary has many real-world consequences.

Opinion | It’s Getting Harder to Talk About God - The New York Times

Letters From the Synod-2018: #9

Letters From the Synod-2018: #9 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Pope Francis Is Hedging on Catholic Sex-Abuse Crisis

Pope Francis Is Hedging on Catholic Sex-Abuse Crisis - The Atlantic

Pope Paul VI, Oscar Romero named saints by Pope Francis

Pope Paul VI, Oscar Romero named saints by Pope Francis | CTV News

Paul VI and the Canonization of Vatican II

Paul VI and the Canonization of Vatican II | Jake Neu | First Things

Abortion outrage: Mums should be allowed to terminate newborns, say Australian academics

Abortion outrage: Mums should be allowed to terminate newborns, say Australian academics | Daily Telegraph

Pope expels two Chilean bishops from priesthood over sexual abuse

Pope expels two Chilean bishops from priesthood over sexual abuse

SickKids grapples with medically assisted dying

SickKids grapples with medically assisted dying | CTV News

Why the Catholic Church's Current Crisis Is the Worst Since the Reformation

Massimo Faggioli, the author of this article starts out strong in his analysis of the parallels between the Reformation crisis of the 16th century and the sexual abuse scandals of today, but unfortunately, he goes off the rails once he gets into delineating the two competing Catholic visions held within the Church today. In the quote below, he confuses the neo-conservative movement in the United States with those of us who work for the promulgation and promotion of orthodoxy in moral matters:

Where conservative-traditionalist Catholics tend to oppose to (sic) any legislation decriminalizing abortion, progressives usually favor decriminalization coupled with measures that offer women alternatives designed to limit the number of abortions as much as possible. Conservatives tend to oppose universal access to health care and favor the unrestricted right to bear arms for civilians, while progressives favor the former and push for gun control. The two camps also have opposing views on the death penalty and on Francis’ recent change to the Catechism declaring capital punishment “inadmissible.” In general, conservatives favor shrinking government, while progressives see government services and public authorities as essential to promote the common good in civil society. These political rifts between the two Catholic camps have never been deeper in modern times, especially in the Western world.

Having proffered a parody of orthodox voices concerned with the direction that Pope Francis is leading the faithful, he then jumps to a false conclusion that these 'two camps' are irreconcilable. As a result, he can see nothing more than decades and decades of warfare between them.

He is also wrong in his prediction for how the Papacy will 'evolve' during this time of conflict. He states that Vatican II:

had very little success in reforming the institutional structure of the church and papacy. Although the proposals coming from the bishops at Vatican II for radical changes in the Roman Curia (the central government of the church) were carefully listened to by Paul VI (himself a creature of the Roman Curia), he ultimately decided to withdraw the agenda from Vatican II. The sex abuse crisis today stems in large part from 50 years of a papal office rejecting any proposal for decentralizing or modernizing a Roman Curia whose structure has changed little since its foundation in 1588, in the period immediately following the Council of Trent.

So in his opinion, it has been the failure of the Pontiff to decentralize the workings of the Church that has led to our current troubled state. Yet he offers no evidence to substantiate his correlation of these two events. Put simply, he conflates correlation with causation and then uses his logical error to promote his own favorite hobby horse cause of stripping the Papacy and the Curia of their traditional role of establishing proper doctrine and teaching and leaving it to local churches to confront the issues that the Church faces in the 21st century with their own initiatives and propositions. Such a direction would simply strip the faithful of the graces that flow from the Petrine office and lead to a patchwork quilt of different teachings in different corners of the world. In such a scenario, the center could not hold and the Church would be dealt a potentially fatal body blow emperiling her mission as the Barque of salvation intended to bring the faithful to our promised salvation and redemption.



But don't take my word for it. Click on the link and read the article for yourself and come to your own conclusion as to the merits or lack thereof of Faggioli's argument.



Why the Catholic Church's Current Crisis Is the Worst Since the Reformation

Academics continue to spar over conscience objection

Academics continue to spar over conscience objection

Ecumenical Electrical Issue: How to change a lightbulb

Same-sex mice have babies - Another step closer to Armageddon

"[The research] may even lead to the development of ways for same-sex couples to reproduce healthy children of their own," she says. But she points out there are "significant ethical and safety concerns that would need to be overcome". (emphasis added)

Ya think? How about just recognizing that this is ethically wrong and not worry about 'overcoming' the ethical prohibitions?


Same-sex mice have babies - BBC News

Daily Catholic Prayers including a couple to St. Anthony to ask his help in finding articles we've misplaced or lost

Daily Catholic Prayer

7 Holy men and women who will be canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday

7 Holy men and women who will be canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday --Aleteia

Letters From the Synod-2018: #8

Letters From the Synod-2018: #8 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Irish priests left ‘feeling flat’ after visit of Pope Francis, meeting hears

Priest left ‘feeling flat’ after visit of Pope Francis, meeting hears

Pope Francis likens abortion to hiring a 'contract killer'

Pope Francis likens abortion to hiring a 'contract killer' | The Independent

Letters From the Synod-2018: #7

Letters From the Synod-2018: #7 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

After early votes, it's clear Pope Francis has 'his' Synod of Bishops

After early votes, it's clear Pope Francis has 'his' Synod of Bishops

How to Approach Our Priests About the Scandals

How to Approach Our Priests About the Scandals

Synod working groups highlight sexual abuse, digital culture

Synod working groups highlight sexual abuse, digital culture | America Magazine

Papal allies and friends tapped to shape Synod's conclusions

Papal allies and friends tapped to shape Synod's conclusions

The Catholic Crisis, In Perspective by George Weigel

The Catholic Crisis, In Perspective | George Weigel | First Things

The Pain of Suffering & the Power of Forgiveness

The Pain of Suffering & the Power of Forgiveness

Letters From the Synod-2018: #6

Letters From the Synod-2018: #6 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Bishops emphasize abuse crisis, but point to wider range of issues

Bishops emphasize abuse crisis, but point to wider range of issues

Letters From the Synod-2018: #5

Letters From the Synod-2018: #5 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

‘The devil IS alive and undermining Catholic Church’ warns Pope.

THE devil is alive and well and working overtime to undermine the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has declared as he appeals to Catholics to pray to stop the devil.

‘The devil IS alive and undermining Catholic Church’ warns Pope | World | News | Express.co.uk

Is it possible to believe in both God and science?

Is it possible to believe in both God and science?

Letters From the Synod-2018: #4

Letters From the Synod-2018: #4 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Many Catholics Struggle to Keep the Faith

Many Catholics Struggle to Keep the Faith - WSJ

Cardinal Ouellet Writes Open Letter to Archbishop Viganò

Cardinal Ouellet Writes Open Letter to Archbishop Viganò

Pope orders 'thorough study' of Vatican documents in McCarrick abuse case

Pope orders 'thorough study' of Vatican documents in McCarrick abuse case | CBC News

The Blessing of the Animals: Paw-inspiring photos from around the world

The Blessing of the Animals: Paw-inspiring photos from around the world

Holy See Press Office Communiqué on the McCarrick scandal

Holy See Press Office Communiqué

+Barron defends US request for Vatican-backed McCarrick probe

Barron defends US request for Vatican-backed McCarrick probe

This week a 'best of times, worst of times' montage on abuse crisis

This week a 'best of times, worst of times' montage on abuse crisis

Letters From the Synod-2018: #3

Letters From the Synod-2018: #3 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Assisted suicide plans for children unveiled at Toronto's Sick Kids hospital including scenarios where the parents would not be informed until after the child dies.

Assisted suicide plans for children unveiled at Toronto's Sick Kids hospital

Letters From the Synod-2018: #2

Letters From the Synod-2018: #2 | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

The October 2018 synod on the youth, in numbers

The October 2018 synod on the youth, in numbers

Letters from the Vatican Youth Synod: Letter Number One

Letter Number One | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

Canada’s Cardinal Ouellet holds key to answers in McCarrick saga

Canada’s Cardinal Ouellet holds key to answers in McCarrick saga

As bishops' summit opens, Catholic women say: 'Let's be a nuisance!'

As bishops' summit opens, Catholic women say: 'Let's be a nuisance!'

Pope Francis on the vulnerability of priests

Pope Francis on the vulnerability of priests

Memo to Pope Francis: Truth and transparency, not ‘silence and prayer,’ are what church needs

Memo to Pope Francis: Truth and transparency, not ‘silence and prayer,’ are what church needs | Editorials | Dallas News

After decades of left v. right, is it now bishops v. everybody else?

After decades of left v. right, is it now bishops v. everybody else?

Catholics complained to the Vatican about Cardinal McCarrick. What happened to those complaints?

Catholics complained to the Vatican about Cardinal McCarrick. What happened to those complaints? - The Washington Post