Archive for November, 2007
« Previous EntriesPope Benedict’s Latest Encyclical
Friday, November 30th, 2007Pope Benedict XVI’s new encyclical on the theological virtue of hope, Spe Salvi, was just released by the Vatican today. Click here for the official English translation.
I’m sure all of you, like me, are more interested right now in reading the encyclical itself than my commentary. Next week after we’ve had a chance to read and […]
What God Has Joined
Thursday, November 29th, 2007In this month’s installment of John Kippley’s ongoing series leading up to the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, he addresses the myth that contraception leads to a greater incidence of intact, fulfilling marriages. Rather, contraception undermines not only the procreative but also the unitive dimension of the marriage bond, thereby contributing to the alarming divorce rate not only on a societal level, but even […]
Growing up with Vatican II
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007Pope John Paul II once called the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) the interpretive key to understanding his pontificate. For many of us, particularly my generation, Vatican II also is the key for understanding our own pilgrimage of faith. Pope John XXIII called the 21st ecumenical council only months before I was born, and the Council […]
A Christian Story?
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007Last Sunday, the Boston Globe published an article by religion professor Donna Freitas in praise of the forthcoming movie The Golden Compass and the series of children’s books by Philip Pullman on which it is based. The article is also highly critical of those who oppose the movie.
As with the Da Vinci Code, we are starting to see […]
Pope on Hope
Monday, November 26th, 2007This Friday, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, Pope Benedict XVI will release his second encyclical letter, on hope. It should be available that day in English, and we will provide links and commentary as soon as the document is available.
The name of the encyclical is Spe Salvi, which means “Saved in Hope.” As the […]
Who’s Abusing Whom?
Monday, November 26th, 2007I’ve been reading a new book by Leon Podles entitled Sacrilege: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church (Crossland Press, 2008), an eye-opening, 600-page analysis of the clerical sex abuse crisis in the Church. However one may feel about his treatment of the subject, Podles is to be commended for his candor and research, but even more for […]
Long Live the King!
Friday, November 23rd, 2007This Sunday we conclude the liturgical year with the Solemnity of Christ the King. This week on the “Sunday Homilies” page at the CUF website we have a beautiful homily for the occasion by Most. Rev. John F. Donoghue, retired Archbishop of Atlanta. To view this homily, click here.
Archbishop Donoghue includes a quote from Pope Pius XI, who […]
More on “For Your Marriage” Site
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007Regarding our recent post on the U.S. Bishops’ new “For Your Marriage” website, we received the following comment from marriage and family expert John F. Kippley regarding the site’s recommendation of the work of Dr. Richard Gaillardetz:
“Thanks for directing me to the long analysis of the works of the dissenting theologian, Dr. Richard Gaillardetz. It […]
Every Day is Thanksgiving
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007At least in my experience, God’s will has not always been easy to discern, even with the assistance of prayer and spiritual direction. Sure, I know the boundaries of moral decision-making. Under no circumstances may I lawfully choose to do evil.
Further, I must fulfill the duties and obligations that go with my state in life. […]
It’s Not About the Pork
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007We’re treated to some intense passages from 2 Maccabees at Mass this week. Yesterday we heard: “Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat port. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, […]
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