My first reaction on learning that only a third of primary schools now stage a traditional nativity play was to reach for the phrase “political correctness gone mad”. After all, it must be because Left-wing teachers are worried about offending non-Christians. One in 14 schools apparently doesn’t even use the word “Christmas” to describe the Read more
Before I became a Jesuit, I was a diocesan seminarian, and during the Christmas holidays, I worked in the pastoral care department of a big Catholic public hospital. At a Christmas party, I met the charge nurse of the maternity ward. Pleading that because I was a celibate I would never be at a birth, Read more
When Tim Gunn, Lady Gaga, Sir Isaac Newton or Leonardo da Vinci declares themselves celibate, no-one fears that will make them a danger to the public. History tells us and research shows that many people live perfectly happy, healthy lives, relating well to people of both sexes and all ages, without having sex for many Read more
The creation of a new Vatican Congregation for the Laity appears to be a likely first step in the reform of the Roman Curia. Many are welcoming this as a recognition that the laity have just as important a role in the church as bishops, clergy and religious, each of which has a congregation dedicated Read more
The news networks are abuzz with stories saying that Pope Francis has said pets go to heaven. They’ve even “helpfully” noted how this contrasts with the position of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. But the thing is . . . the whole story is false. Here are 7 things to know and share . . . Read more
A choir of voices has begun lauding Cardinal George Pell for cleaning up the Vatican’s money management operations. And the strongest notes in this hymn of praise come from the basso profondo of the Australian cardinal himself. The 73-year-old Pell, who is officially the prefect of the Vatican’s recently created Secretariat for the Economy, gave Read more
In 2014, Pope Francis continued to exercise a fascination for members of his Catholic flock and for the rest of the world. There was no papal pronouncement in 2014 to match his electric answer last year to a question about gay priests: “Who am I to judge?” But the Jesuit pope from Argentina continued to press for Read more
Pope Francis faces a tough road ahead, a veteran Vatican watcher told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an interview that aired Wednesday. “It’s a very tough period that is beginning for him, because of course people [are] enthusiastic about him. “I mean the believers but also non-believers are very interested in what he’s saying. “But within Read more
The Islamic State has visibly attracted young Muslims from all over the world to its violent movement to build a caliphate in Iraq and Syria. But here’s what’s less visible — the online backlash against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, by young Muslims declaring their opposition to rule by Islamic law, Read more
In their attempt to argue that effective and binding codes can be developed without a deity, atheists often mistake inferior codes – “common decency” – for absolute moral systems. The Golden Rule, or doing as you would be done by, is such a code. But the fact that men can arrive at the Golden Rule Read more