CatholicCulture.org - Commentary On the Culture

Salvation vs. Politics

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:32:00 GMT

Several readers responded to my On the Culture essay on Priestly Fidelity in ways that surprised or intrigued me. In a few cases, I was criticized for missing the point of authentic renewal in stating that three widely-varying levels of Catholic commitment would be helpful in the political battle for religious liberty. It is important to realize, in reading this essay, that I was discussing the intersection between priestly fidelity and success in addressing a particular political problem.

Priestly Fidelity: The Time to Take Prisoners Has Passed

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:41:00 GMT

The latest report on Fr. Michael Pfleger in Chicago reminds me that if the American bishops hope to rally the faithful to oppose the HHS mandate, they will have to put priestly fidelity at the top of their agenda. Right where it should have been all along.

A Dream Bishop Rallies His Troops

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:21:00 GMT

“As your bishop, I come to you with an apology, a prayer, and a mission. We face a grave threat from the government of the United States, the threat of the most powerful government in the world attempting to force Catholics to participate in actions which both Faith and nature teach us are profoundly immoral. I am referring here to enforced complicity with contraception, including abortifacient contraception, and sterilization.

Sister Marie-Thérèse's Trials

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:50:00 GMT

Poor Sister Marie-Thérèse de Vioménil! Again and again she wrote to Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade to explain her spiritual troubles, yet again and again she received what must have seemed like disheartening replies.

Russell Shaw’s Book on Clericalism

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:16:40 GMT

Please note that I have just reviewed Russell Shaw's interesting book, To Hunt, to Shoot, to Entertain: Clericalism and the Catholic Laity. You'll find it in the In Depth Analysis section here: Clericalism.

De-Baptism and the Records of the Church

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:35:00 GMT

It’s a short story with big consequences: A French diocese appeals order to remove baptismal record. A similar case occurred in Spain regarding membership records kept by Opus Dei. There are four reasons for the Church to categorically refuse such demands.

Back to the Future in Ireland

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:23:00 GMT

I doubt things have deteriorated quite enough for this to go anywhere, but the logic of a recent hate crime complaint in Ireland is intriguing. Humanist John Colgan argued that a recent homily of Bishop Philip Boyce of Raphoe constituted a hate crime under an act passed in 1989.

Archbishop Dolan's Letdown, and Job One

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:49:00 GMT

What’s wrong with this picture? The leader of the American hierarchy, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, said in an interview that he was “terribly let down, disappointed and disturbed” by President Obama’s decision to force insurance coverage of contraception and sterilization on those who morally object to such practices. Archbishop Dolan based this disappointment on reassurances about conscience rights that the President had given him in a November meeting.

Art Masterpieces Teaching Church History

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:03:00 GMT

Duquesne University Press has done something noteworthy by publishing two new full-color books which present masterpieces of art with accompanying text to illustrate key moments in the history of the Church, and also the lives of the saints. The books, originally published in French and authored by journalist Jacques Duquesne and art editor François Lebrette, are entitled The History of the Church through 100 Masterpieces and The Lives of the Saints through 100 Masterpieces.

On Life Day, Obama Defies Reality...Again

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:12:00 GMT

It should come as no surprise that President Obama has once again used the day of the March for Life to signal his direct and strenuous opposition to the goals of the marchers. In a brief statement, the President recalled the importance of the Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion and emphasized: “I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.”