Bishop Robert Barron’s recent piece detailing the “evangelical path” of his organization Word on Fire has provoked heated debate over his use of the term “beige Catholicism” to refer to the faith of liberal or progressive Catholics. It’s not the first time he’s used the term. He coined the phrase 25 years ago, to critique Read more
There are two prayers I love which both connect me to Mother Earth. The first is one my uncle said, as a grace before we ate as a family. I loved the rhythm of this prayer and although I do not recall the exact words, he would begin by giving thanks to God the Creator Read more
Since the Catholic Church forbids celebrating marriage between people of the same sex as a sacrament, some Catholics, and even some bishops, have discussed having a blessing for such couples as an alternative. On Monday (March 15), the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, the chief doctrinal office in the Vatican, responded to queries about Read more
I’ve been thinking about religion, my own relationship to it, and how it shows up when I observe influencers. These dense subjects arose for me after this New York Times op-ed about how influencers have kind of become secular morality preachers was published last week, just as religion came up in a discussion group I’m Read more
Another email lobs into the inbox. “Thanks so much for taking the time to apply for the position of … “In reviewing your application, we’d like to acknowledge the experience you’ve gained, though unfortunately on this occasion, we won’t be moving forward with your application for this role. “While we couldn’t get things to work Read more
In the past few days, the Lord allowed me to visit Iraq, carrying out a project of Saint John Paul II. Never before has a Pope been in the land of Abraham. Providence willed that this should happen now, as a sign of hope, after years of war and terrorism, and during a severe pandemic. Read more
There are two sharply divergent views about the Duchess of Sussex. One is held by Piers Morgan, who has just left ITV’s Good Morning Britain breakfast programme in a huff. It is doubtless shared by millions of less voluble Britons. According to Mr Morgan, Meghan’s contribution to the Oprah Winfrey interview was a ‘diatribe of Read more
On Tuesday 23 March, Dr Thomas P. Doyle, a US former Dominican priest will appear at the Royal Commission via audiovisual link from the United States. The Royal Commission says Doyle’s submission Firstly sets out the scope and recent history of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, how canon law applies and how the Read more
When did the church commit itself to better relations between Muslims and Catholics? I suppose the church really committed to dialogue and positive engagement at the Second Vatican Council, with the famous declaration on the relationship of the church to non-Christian religions, “Nostra Aetate.” There’s a paragraph in there dedicated to Islam and opening up Read more
In March 2018, homeownership was at its lowest in almost 70 years. Since then the median price has almost doubled and rent is up by a quarter. It was a year after her divorce that Sue Boyce says she realised she would never own another home. She was 51, had five children to care for Read more