Finite, mortal man is not doing very well and is in need of a major face-lift. His record is abysmal: Almost a billion people are now starving, 49 countries are presently involved in military conflict and 10% of human beings are disabled. Something drastic needs to be done, and the hour is getting late.

Science is now offering the hope of salvation from this dreadful state of affairs in the form of “avatars.” The brainchild of Russian multimillionaire Dmitry Itskov, avatars are machines into which the contents of the human brain have been uploaded. He envisions that by the year 2045 there will be mass production of these beings, digital copies of the human mind in “nonbiological...READ MORE

SEOUL, South Korea — Recent statistics indicate that the Catholic population in South Korea has increased over the past year.

Last month, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea released a publication entitled Statistics of the Catholic Church in Korea 2012.

The report, prepared by the Catholic Pastoral Institute of Korea, states that at the end of 2012, there were 5,361,369 Catholics in the country, an increase of 1.6% — or 84,959 individuals — over the last year.

This accounts for just over 10% of the total population. According to the report, these numbers have “slightly and consistently increased at a yearly average of 2-3% during the past 11 years.”

Just over half of South...READ MORE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— An encounter with a pro-life center that had previously served as both a house of worship and an abortion clinic at different times in its history has left a lasting impression on one pro-life leader.

Although it may not be apparent to those who pass by, the building in Grand Rapids, Mich., that is now the headquarters of the pro-life organization LIFE International has a complex past.

The building was rented in 1994 by an abortionist who turned it into “the largest abortion facility in western Michigan,” David Bereit told CNA on June 12.

The National Director of the 40 Days for Life campaign, Bereit learned the history of the building in 2004, during a visit...READ MORE

VATICAN CITY — The progress of the Church can be hindered by the dual temptations of wanting to remain in the past and “adolescent progressivism,” Pope Francis said.

The danger of a progressive approach to the Holy Spirit is that believers becomes “like teenagers, who, in their enthusiasm, want to have everything, and in the end? You slip up.” he said at the June 12 morning Mass.

“It’s like when the road is covered in ice and the car slips and go offtrack. ... This is the other temptation at the moment! We, at this moment in the history of the Church, we cannot go backwards or go off the track!” the Pope said.

The track the Church must follow, he said during his homily, “is that of...READ MORE

Pope Francis and the Secret Vatican 'Gay Lobby' by Fr. Dwight Longenecker - BigPulpit.com

Casual Dress and the Body of Christ: A Plea for Bathrobes – Collin Garbarino, First Things/First Thoughts

A Discourse on Wanting to Shake Descartes – Stacy Trasancos PhD

You Want the Straight Dope on Homeschooling? – Matt Archbold, Creative Minority Report

The Crash, Divine Providence? - Marcus Allen Steele, Catholic Stand

Modesty Sets Fire – Marc Barnes, Bad Catholic

Rudyard Kipling, Boots - Donald R. McClarey JD, The American Catholic

Marriage is a Marathon, Not a Sprint – Barb Lishko, Catholic Lane

What Happens to Art When Belief in God has Withered Away – Francis Phillips,...READ MORE

Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design by Jimmy Akin of Strange Notions website - BigPulpit.com

Modesty is Honesty – Marc Barnes, Bad Catholic

I. R. S. Scandal: I. R. S. Agent Lays Down the “Law” to Pro-lifers – Donald R. McClarey JD, The American Catholic

Spirituality for Widows - Ronda Chervin PhD, Homiletic & Pastoral Review

Relativism: Missing The Truth - Patrick Pierce, Catholic Stand

The Eucharist is Not a Pagan Invention – Jon Sorensen, Catholic Answers

The Power of Communication: A Reflection on Euphemism - Ashley Noronha, Truth and Charity Forum

The Conspiracy of Pornography Exposed - Sean Fitzpatrick, Crisis Magazine

Of Requiem Masses, Death, Prudence and...READ MORE

GLASGOW, Scotland — Friends of the St. Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society gathered at Glasgow’s cathedral on June 9 to commemorate its years of service and to support the society’s adoption agency against the threat of forced closure.

Ronnie Convery, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Scotland, said there was “a mood of celebration” at the annual Mass and reception at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

“Of course this year there is a storm cloud on the horizon, namely the threat from secularists to try to have the agency closed down,” Convery told CNA June 11.

“That galvanizes people, they feel bad that the service they have enjoyed from St. Margaret’s — and...READ MORE