In the small world of the Vatican, personnel is always policy. Two recent personnel moves, therefore, have fueled speculation about whether policy shifts are also under way in the fight against sex abuse and the Vatican’s relationship with American nuns. Msgr. Charles Scicluna, the Vatican’s top prosecutor on abuse cases, was named an auxiliary bishop Read more
The quest for perfection can never been attained in any endeavor worthy of humans. The demand for being perfect, based on Matthew 5:14, “Be ye therefore perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” became the deranged and deranging discipline that was brought to an end by Vatican II’s healthier attitude toward spiritual growth. One of Read more
My first encounter with gay conversion or gay reparative therapy (GRT) was the day I finally summoned the courage to ask a friend about the cluster of scars on his wrists. ‘Gary’ explained that when he was 15, his parents took him to a place called Exodus International where a group leader would try to Read more
The question is: Does the God vote matter? Mitt Romney’s advisers seem to think so. President Obama’s do not. For the second debate, Romney has remarked that we are all children of the same God. Obama has taken a pass. Romney has to appeal to the evangelicals, mostly Republican, who are suspicious of Mormons. Obama Read more
Western culture places an extraordinary emphasis on happiness – and continuous happiness – as the goal each of us should strive for in our lives. But we’re increasingly realising this goal may actually be making us unhappy. Television advertising shows people becoming happier with every new acquisition, alongside national campaigns promoting a take-no-prisoner’s approach to encouraging happiness. Read more
Whatever happened to American Christians’ concerns over Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith? Like concerns about Romney’s conservatism and pro-life record, theological issues have been brushed aside in anticipation of November’s election. According to Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council, ‘growing enthusiasm’ for Romney’s campaign has much to do with the Obama administration’s support for same-sex Read more
Statistics and surveys may show that getting hitched is falling out of fashion but, as soon as children come along, every woman would rather be wed. Are you sitting comfortably? Or at least sitting? Because further down this page I am going to make the sort of bold, incendiary statement that will divide – but Read more
It’s time society listened to men struggling to find the tools for survival in their relationships, writes Bettina Arndt. “There’s got to be something more than this!” This howl of discontent comes from Alex, a thirtysomething married executive, one of four Aussie males romping their way through Certified Male, the blokey comedy playing around Australia. Read more
Ed Miliband, leader of the British Labour Party, took the risky step of talking about faith at his party’s annual conference. ‘Not a religious faith,’ he was quick to point out, ‘but a faith nonetheless; a faith that I believe many religious people would recognise.’ ‘I believe we have a duty to leave the world a better Read more
‘All is connected…’ I began these musings in March with this tag. It becomes clearer to me and more relevant each time. We have been gifted this beautiful world to use and enjoy. Not to plunder and pollute. Governments seem paralysed by inertia or denial of the disastrous effects of climate change, already evident in the Read more