Catholicism

Pope Benedict XVI, a theologian by training, was the head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for decades before he was elevated to papacy. In interviews conducted while he held that earlier post, he spoke often about growing the ...  

Raising a child Catholic isn't an easy job. Society isn't very supportive of Christian religions let alone Catholicism. Although it's difficult to raise a child Catholic, it's not impossible. Below are suggestions on how to raise a Catholic child.  

WORLD COMMUNICATION DAY The 46th World Communication Day is this Sunday, May 20th, 2012.  Pope Benedict XVI has chosen the theme as Silence and Word:  Path of Evangelization.  The Vatican started World Communications Day in 1967 with Pope Paul VI … Continue reading →  

he is an adulterer because he makes that woman commit adultery, and the woman who lives with him is an adulteress, because she has drawn another's husband to herself. (2384) Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society.  

Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, April 8. All times are Eastern. TOP PICK The Borgias (Showtime, 10 p.m.): Showtime’s latest nudity-delivery-device-disguised-as-historical-drama makes frequent attempts to break out of its self-imposed ghetto—most born on the back of Jeremy Irons’ strong performance as corrupt pope Rodrigo Borgias. The fact that the heart of a better show beats within The Borgias is enough to get The A.V. Club’s...  

Cardinal Timothy Dolan has made it very clear that he doesn’t like President Obama’s contraception mandate. And apparently, he and the Catholic Church are prepared to let poor people starve to death if President Obama doesn’t give in to their … Continue reading →  

After reading her op-ed regarding the Catholic Church and the Church's investigation of errant nuns, it is our opinion that she is woefully ill-educated in matters of the Catholic Church.  

Is it “game-over” for so-called cafeteria or dissenting Catholics? In a Crisis Magazine article, Acton’s Samuel Gregg, Director of Research, says it is.The demographic evidence for impending extinction is striking. The average age of members of female religious orders that are moving “beyond Jesus” into an alternative spiritual universe is over 70. This contrasts with those orders who joyfully embrace Catholic faith in all its fullness. They...  

COMMENTARY | A report on MSNBC reaveals the recent crackdown on American nuns coming from the Vatican was instigated by U.S. priests. Perhaps this is a good thing for those of us who choose to live within reality. The Vatican has ordered the nuns in...Contributor: Donald PenningtonPublished: May 10, 2012  

It seems that Catholicism is on the wane in what were once urban strongholds. Maeve Connolly has a big front page splash on the front of the Irish News today on regular Mass attendances of just 4% in Poleglass. Holy Family in north Belfast is just bringing 17% of the local Catholic population. Dublin Archdiocese [...]  

Roman Catholicism. Do you agree with Dean Inge when he says : “The opinion is widely held that Protestantism has received ts death-blow from Biblical criticism, and that Europe i hundred years hence will be either Catholic or- not Christian at all.” * * * * “Rebels against the dominion of the Caesar or the [...]  

Recently, a group called the Freedom from Religion Foundation ran a full-page ad in The Washington Post cast as an "open letter to liberal and nominal Catholics." Its headline commanded: "It's time to quit the Catholic Church."  

American society also is served by the church's promotion of sexual morality, Pope Benedict said, since a "weakened appreciation of the indissolubility of the marriage covenant, and the widespread rejection of a responsible, mature sexual ethic grounded in ...  

Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria told the 500 men who attended the diocese’s annual men’s march and Mass that “the days in which we live now require heroic Catholicism, not casual Catholicism.” “We can no longer be Catholics by accident, but instead [must] be Catholics by conviction. In our own families, in our parishes, where we live and where we work--like that very first apostolic generation--we must be bold witnesses to the Lordship of Jesus...  

A novel aspect of the Republican campaign for the party’s presidential nomination has been the importance placed by some candidates, their admirers and some voters on the Catholic religion and certain claims to formal academic certification or endorsement.  

With the dust settling on the uproar which followed the Vatican's April intervention into the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), it's possible to put this and other emerging trends into a longer-term perspective.  

When Charles Colson died last weekend, he was best known as the Watergate felon turned prison minister. But Colson, a constant presence in Christian Right circles for over two decades, had perhaps his greatest impact in another sphere of American life: expanding evangelical-Catholic cooperation in the fight against legalized abortion into a broader political alliance. For signs of his success, look at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops...  

Even non-Catholic doctors working at a non-Catholic hospital suddenly find themselves under severe restrictions when their institution merges with a Catholic hospital. A doctor's admitting privileges, scope of practice, participation ...Read Full Post  

Today's Washington Post ran this interesting story headlined "Catholic activists pushing politicians to turn tide against the death penalty." Here are excerpts: Soon, probably next week, Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy will sign into a law a bill that abolishes the...  

Everyone by now has heard the old line that anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice. But what is less often noted is that the phenomenon is now actually more prevalent among Catholics themselves than among non-Catholics. You don’t meet a lot of non-Catholic Americans these days who think making Al Smith or John F. Kennedy our president would risk subjecting the Land of the Free to papal autocracy. But go on Catholic blogsites and you...  

A vicar who made a leap of faith to Catholicism has taken almost half of his congregation with him. Leap of faith: Fr Donald Minchew resigned as a vicar after 16 years (Picture: Cascade) Fr Donald Minchew was followed by 69 of his former parishioners when he resigned from St Michael’s and All Angels church after more than 16 years. They were received into the Catholic church by a former Anglican bishop, Msg John Broadhurst...  

Two and a half months ago, nominations opened in the 2012 About.com Catholicism Readers' Choice Awards. When nominations closed four weeks later, over 1,200 nominations had been made across all ten categories. From those, readers chose five finalists in each category, and a little over five weeks ago, voting began. Now, all of the votes have been counted, and it's time to announce the winners in the 2012 About Catholicism Readers' Choice...  

Muslim leader first becomes Presbyterian abroad. After meeting a Catholic woman, he marries her and converts to her religion. Back in Bangladesh, he is totally rejected by his community. Despite the violence and social banishment, his faith remains strong: "I believe in Christ. I welcomed him" for "he is my saviour". ... His journey towards conversion began abroad, far from Bangladesh. It led him first to baptism in the Presbyterian Church...  

Pope Benedict XVI's announcement, in a book-length interview conducted by Peter Seewald titled modestly, Light of the World, that condom use may be the best choice in some circumstances, is monumental. It is a watershed, because it is the first time that ...  

On the Books & Culture website, Stephen H. Webb reviews Richard Mouw‘s latest book, Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals. Steve and Rich are both friends of mine. Here’s how the review begins: Richard Mouw, president of Fuller ...  

The university’s stately spires, topped with crosses and standing high above the nation’s capital, are a permanent reminder of the fervent Catholic faith and vision of Archbishop John Carroll and his fellow Jesuit missionaries who founded Georgetown ...  

Honoring Mrs. Sebelius is a public betrayal of the Catholic Church and all religious people in America. In many ways, Georgetown’s choice is even more offensive than Notre Dame’s commencement honors to President Obama in 2008. At the time ...  

Perhaps the greatest and most enduring achievement of the Middle Ages was the creation of the university, an institution for which there was no precedent in the history of the West. It sprang into existence seemingly out of nowhere in the late 12th century ...  

The authors of a book called “Beyond the Catholic Culture Wars” offer their assessment of the Church today: In his Holy Thursday homily at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 5, Pope Benedict XVI denounced calls from some Catholics for optional celibacy ...  

Paul Ryan had better check in with his parish priest for some penance assignments.  No less an expert in the exercise of Catholicism in public policy than Joe Biden has pronounced the House Budget Committee chair a heretic, or something.  

Others have had what seems like an understandable reaction. "People are stunned," Sister Pat McDermott told the Washington Post. "They're outraged, angry, frustrated, they don't know where this came from and how to hold it."  

You aren't likely to hear a great deal about married Roman Catholic priests, but they do exist. They are Roman Catholic priests and many are married - so many, in ...Read Full Post  

If some people aren’t paying their taxes fairly, does the Church fire them? I don’t think anyone ever does. What if they’re pro-capital punishment? No. Similarly, if you hire a gay teacher who doesn’t have a partner, is that okay? What if he does have one?  

They may decide that the magnificent, empowering, life-sustaining Christian principles ... It must be acknowledged that some Catholics are so secure in their belief, the kind of belief that sustained them though the publication of the ...  

Kathleen Turner is back onscreen this week with “The Perfect Family.” Surprisingly, it’s the first time the actress has tackled a lead role since the 1994 John Water's comedy, “Serial Mom.” The outspoken actress – she’s pro-gay marriage and ...  

Recently, while watching some Catholic sniping and squabbling amid these internet comboxes wherein I dwell and make my living, I noted a particularly dramatic note of victimhood being voiced in one channel and fervent, mustachio-twirling glee ...  

Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria told the 500 men who attended the diocese’s annual men’s march and Mass that “the days in which we live now require heroic Catholicism, not casual Catholicism.” “We can no longer be Catholics by accident, but instead [must] be Catholics by conviction. In our own families, in our parishes, where we live and where we work--like that very first apostolic generation--we must be bold witnesses to the Lordship of Jesus...  

The Rev. Michael H. Crosby, OFMCap Milwaukee Anne Hendershott and Christopher White cite a range of statistics in support of their argument that priestly vocations are on a dramatic rise. Their numbers aren't all wrong, but they are misleading due to lack of context.  

It's disturbing, but not surprising, how the far-right is reacting to birth control and the Catholic church. Perhaps it's just another election-year diversion from important issues facing the country. There were many false and misleading statements made by ...  

The basic situation is that the nearly 600 Catholic hospitals in America are governed by rules prescribed by the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. These doctrines are in turn ...Read Full Post  

It's shocking that the letter writer supporting same-sex marriage ("Catholics should know better than to oppose gay marriage," April 18) is Catholic. Was he asleep when his religion teacher said that the purpose of marriage is the procreation of ...  

Opposition health spokesperson Roger Cook said he was concerned that procedures like vasectomies and abortions would not be carried out at the new hospital because the likely service provider, Catholic, not for profit group- St John of God Health Care did ...  

In "Juan Cole and Ivory Tower Anti-Catholicism" in Crisis Magazine today, I discuss the Leftist propagandist and pseudo-scholar Juan Cole's howling ignorance of Catholicism, and his similar abysmal willful blindness regarding Islam: Hand-in-hand with the Hollywood portrayals of Catholic priests and devout believers as evil, stupid, cruel, or unhinged is...  

When fully immersed in the day to day activities of the business world, conformity to the will of man is expected. The Will of God, which runs counter to the ambitions of ‘important’ men, is, quite often, discouraged, as discipleship in the economic ...  

A vicar led half his congregation in converting to Catholicism after complaining that the Church of England is telling believers in traditional values to ‘sod off'. Father Donald Minchew was followed by 70 of his flock when he left the Anglican church ...  

Meeting on April 21 with representatives of the Papal Foundation, an American charitable group, Pope Benedict XVI called attention to the vital role that women played in building ...  

Four political science professors will share the Washington Hall stage April 12 to exchange and debate their opinions about the intersection of Catholicism and politics. HolyVotes, an event seeking to open a pathway for political discussion on ...  

I was born, baptized, and raised “modernist” Post-Vatican II Catholic. Three years ago, I converted to Traditional Catholicism and will not turn back.Contributor: William H. SloanPublished: Apr 01, 2012  

The new Fall Riverites who speak Spanish are mostly Puerto Ricans but El Salvador, Guatemala and Ecuador are also represented. “We’re also seeing a lot of Brazilians, particularly on Cape Cod where many of them do seasonal work,” said Doug Rodrigues ...  

St Jerome once stated: ‘Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.’ Likewise, to believe (and receive) the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist is to ‘taste and see the goodness of the Lord’ in the most intimate way. God has revealed Himself as Love ...  

Carissa Wilson began paying attention to Rick Santorum last fall, when her high school class in American government was assigned to watch several of the Republican presidential debates. About three weeks ago, she attended a campaign speech that Mr ...  

In a recent story about Tuesday’s release of Archbishop Charles Chaput’s e-book, A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America, the Philadelphia Inquirer called it an “e-lamentation.” It’s really a challenge to today’s ...  

Manuel Gómez, 61, is walking along the San Cristóbal de las Casas ring road in southern Mexico, wearing a long white robe and a purple chechia hat. "I was born a Catholic, became a Presbyterian and now I'm a Muslim," this Tzotzil Indian explains.  

It hardly mattered to Miss Wilson that she is an evangelical Protestant — raised as a Baptist, attending a nondenominational church and in her senior year at Dayton Christian School — and that Mr. Santorum is a Roman Catholic. In her ...  

The situation in the U.S. is still tenuous. The number of American Catholics has grown to 77.7 million, up from 50 million in 1980. But the priest-to-parishioner ratio has changed for the worse. In 1965, there was one priest for every 780 ...  

The Catholic Church’s presence in Latin America traces back to Spanish colonization. Following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the region in 1492, Spain claimed much of the Americas. Though many European settlers and explorers who followed in ...  

The new Fall Riverites who speak Spanish are mostly Puerto Ricans, but El Salvador, Guatemala and Ecuador are also represented. “We’re also seeing a lot of Brazilians, particularly on Cape Cod, where many of them do seasonal work,” said Doug ...  

He recalled a visit to a state home for the mentally challenged escorted by two nuns who work there. “The place was horrible,” said Studerus, the pastor of St. Joseph of the Palisades in West New York, the largest Hispanic parish in the ...  

In response to Mary Hilger’s March 23 letter, “Catholic Church offers women the best ... of children I choose to have is up to me and my wife. It is not the business of the government or my employer, even if that employer has a religious ...  

Details about sacraments and prayer are not accurate. Extreme Unction is mentioned as one of the sacraments of the church that Father Dom administers. However, since 1972, this sacrament that brings relief to the ill has been called the ...  

The Church has seen enormous growth in South Korea in recent decades. In 1960, Christians accounted for only about 2% of the country's population; now that figure is 30%. Of these about ...  

NCR publisher Tom Fox and I had the privilege to attend April 27 an incredible symposium at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. “The Reception of Vatican II: The Contribution of Richard P. McBrien” was held to honor McBrien’s five decades of contributions to theology as he begins a sabbatical year and then retirement.  

Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria told the 500 men who attended the diocese's annual men's march and Mass that "the days in which we live now require heroic Catholicism, not casual ...  

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Catholic seminary enrollment in theology this year is the highest in almost a quarter-century, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate reported in the spring issue of its quarterly newsletter, The CARA Report.  

Father Donald Minchew, 63, complains the Church of England is telling more traditional believers to 'sod off' and has led 70 of his flock to the south London church up the road.  

Theology on Tap offers Bible study in a bar settin...: The young adults ministry of Viera's St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community hosts Theology on Tap, weekly Bible studies at Wine and Spirits in Rockledge. All are welcome.  

“The subject being debated was: The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world… In fact, this rant has been called his best ever on the subject of the Catholic Church.”  

The Socratic Club at Oregon State University will sponsor a debate on the topic, “Is Christianity anti-science?” at 7 p.m. Monday at the LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St. The public event is free.  

DUBLIN, Ireland -- At what appears to be a critical time for Irish Catholicism, Ireland's only Catholic newspaper, The Irish Catholic , has changed hands.  

Iran’s ayatollahs are showing frustration with Iranians leaving Islam for Christianity in large numbers despite the threat of execution for apostasy.