Rorate Caeli: The Pope will lead the “common worship service” along with two Lutheran leaders: Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan and LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge. It will be held in Lund cathedral, a … Continue reading
Category: Current Issues in the Church
Halleluia! Let’s Celebrate the ‘Reformation!’ Mark Your Calendar
Vatican Radio: Pope Francis will travel to Sweden in October for a joint ecumenical commemoration of the start of the Reformation, together with leaders of the Lutheran World Federation and representatives of other Christian Churches. More here.
Review of Cardinal Sarah’s Book, ‘God Or Nothing’
LifeSiteNews, Father Gerald E. Murray (The Catholic Thing): The book God or Nothing, a wide-ranging interview with Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by the French journalist Nicolas Diat is one … Continue reading
Oldest Monastery in Iraq Destroyed by ISIS
AP News: The oldest Christian monastery in Iraq has been reduced to a field of rubble, yet another victim of the Islamic State group’s relentless destruction of ancient cultural sites. Read more here.
‘Rejoice in the Gifts That Have Come to the Church Through the Reformation’
Yes, this is part of an approved, common, semi-liturgical prayer service in which Catholic hierarchs and Lutherans will celebrate next year the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Revolt. Rorate Caeli: Last year saw unprecedented expressions of “openness” on the part of … Continue reading
Pakistan: Christian Slum Village Has Its Water Cut Off by Gov Org
Vatican Insider: Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) has cut off a Christian neighbourhood’s water supply, sparking indignation and protests among the population. The move comes in the context of a controversial case, which reached the Supreme Court of Pakistan after … Continue reading
Fr. John Hardon: On Doctrinal & Moral Disorders, Part II
In this second and final portion of Jesuit Father John Hardon’s confidential June 1990 Commentaries to Archbishop Schotte and Father von Schönborn concerning the “Revised Draft” of the proposed new Catechism of the Catholic Church, we propose to present in … Continue reading
Could Cardinal Kasper Be Right?
From Father Paul Nicholson comes this interesting reflection on “spiritual communion,” “baptism of desire,” and the bizarre ramifications of a non-incarnational, pseudo-sacramental Catholicism that parallels the sacramental economy that was instituted by Jesus Christ. Some points Father Nicholson makes in the YouTube … Continue reading
Two Catholic Brothers Attacked in Bangladesh, Critically Injured
AsiaNews: Today, two Catholic brothers were seriously injured in the capital of Bangladesh. Rajesh D ‘Cruze, a banker, and Ranjan D’ Cruze, an employee in a private company are currently being treated in Dhaka Medical College Hospital but their conditions are … Continue reading
Late Show Host, a Catholic, Makes Fun of Syrian Christians
Mark Movsesian, First Things: Take a look at this clip from a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In the clip, Colbert mocks Republican presidential candidates who argue for admitting Syrian Christians as religious refugees. At least … Continue reading
No Opening of Holy Door in Shanghai, Bishop Ma Still Under House Arrest
AsiaNews: In response to Pope Francis, many dioceses throughout China have opened their cathedrals Holy Door. The ceremonies were held yesterday and during last week. Each diocese also printed the Chinese edition of Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction of the Holy … Continue reading
Fr. John Hardon: On Doctrinal & Moral Disorders
Almost a decade after first meeting Father John A. Hardon, S.J. in 1980 at Christendom College, I had the fruitful occasion of introducing him to then-Archbishop Jan Schotte, C.I.C.M.—the Secretary of the Synod of Bishops—and to Father Christoph von Schönborn, … Continue reading
Mass Allowed in North Korea? Yes, But . . .
Woe to those who attend it. Public Religious practice is still outlawed in the Communist state. No question that those who attend the Mass (only on major holydays) in the Pyongyang cathedral will be duly noted by the government. Catholic … Continue reading
Cardinal Who Knows Says ‘Forces’ Intent on Eradicating Christianity in Mid-East
Catholic Herald: “The forces that are at work now are intent on eradicating the Christian civilisation, nothing less,” said the 76-year-old US cardinal, who was in Sydney in October to reach out to the order’s 600 Australian members. Christians in … Continue reading
Cardinal Sarah’s Words Should be in Gold Letters
A priest who speaks as a priest ought, a bishop as a bishop, a cardinal as a cardinal, an official of the Holy See as an official of the Holy See. Ecce sacerdos magnus: (LifeSite) The cardinal’s most powerful statements, … Continue reading