This phrase – “the synthesis of all heresies” – shows up toward the end of the Encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis, placed in the context of a rhetorical question.[1] After an apology for taking so long to explore the entire scope … Continue reading
Category: Theology
How the Renaissance Papacy contributed to the Reformation
The Catholic historian, A. Dufourcq, called the papacy of 1447 to 1527, la papauté princière, “the papacy of princes.”[1] This trenchant appellation conveys Fr. Maurice Sheehan’s meaning when he says “these popes were more men of culture or rulers than … Continue reading
The Relationship between the Virtues and the Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The gifts of the Holy Ghost resemble the infused virtues in a number of ways. Both are operative habits which have God as their efficient cause and the perfection of man as their final cause. Both reside in the human … Continue reading
Catholics, Non-Catholics, and the Natural Law
Given the general decline in public morals, and given the fact that, as an institution, the major promoter of the natural law is the Catholic Church, some are led to conclude that the natural law is a “Catholic thing,” or … Continue reading
The Three Integral Parts of a Moral Act (and a bit of fun)
The three parts of a moral act: object, intention, and circumstances. I was instructed to explain them in terms of three scenarios. I had a little fun. Here was the assignment: “Albert kills Ernest. Describe three different imaginary situations based … Continue reading
Review of Harvard to Harvard: Part III
This is the final installment of our review of Abbot Gabriel’s book. The “Regularization.” When Abbot Gabriel told me that there would be things Brother Francis would not agree with in his book, I assumed that these would be matters … Continue reading
Review of Harvard to Harvard: Part II
In the last edition, I mentioned that my review of Abbot Gabriel’s book would cover both its positive and its negative aspects. I also mentioned that, should the parts we view as less favorable get more attention, it is not … Continue reading
Review of Harvard to Harvard: Part I
The Abbot of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River has made an important contribution to the historical literature on Father Feeney and his Crusade. Abbot Gabriel Gibbs, O.S.B., one of the early members of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart … Continue reading
What’s in That Latin Footnote?
Videtur etiam Ecclesiam catholicam inter illas Communiones comprehendi, quod falsum esset. Don’t get it?
The General Relationship between the Virtues and the Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The gifts of the Holy Ghost resemble the infused virtues in a number of ways. Both are operative habits which have God as their efficient cause and the perfection of man as their final cause.
Cardinal Ratzinger: Theology is Not Private Idea of Theologian
This article is from the English Weekly Edition of L’Osservatore Romano : N. 27 — 2 July 1990 — Page 5.1 It takes up nearly all of that page, with only a few “News briefs” at the bottom.
What is the Natural Law?
It is not uncommon to run across the term “natural law” in Catholic journals and newspapers. Frequently, the context is a discussion of hot-button moral issues in the culture war, such as abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, birth control, and so-called “end-of-life … Continue reading
Cardinal Biffi and Soloviev’s Antichrist
Much attention has justly been given to Cardinal Biffi’s Lenten Retreat to the Pope and leaders of the Roman Curia (e.g., “Pope’s Retreat Preacher Speaks on Antichrist As a ‘Pacifist, Ecologist and Ecumenist’”). Soon after the retreat — because papal … Continue reading
Hans Urs von Balthasar’s New Theology
This page contains some links to articles about Hans Urs von Balthasar, the theologian perhaps most known for undermining the Church’s doctrine on hell. The links are further down. Novel and dangerous Christology. Von Balthasar’s novelties also extended into the … Continue reading
Pro Multis
Cardinal Arinze, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, has just affirmed that pro multis means “for many” and not “for all.” It’s a sad commentary on the state of ecclesiastical affairs that such a statement of the obvious … Continue reading
