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Pope Benedict XVI surprised many when he broke with precedent to congratulate President-Elect Obama on the day after his election victory instead of waiting until the inauguration, as is customary. Obama expressed his gratitude.
It was a warm beginning … to what kind of relationship? The Washington Post asks that question today, via a Religion News Service article.
What’s not to appreciate about Fireproof? Ask a Catholic father of 10. His letter the Register raises some key questions.
My wife and I saw the movie Fireproof and appreciated its earnestness. On the Daily Blog, I agreed with Matthew Lickona’s refusal to harp on its quality issues.
But “Disappointed in Oregon” writes:
“I found fireproof entertaining, but also the same old rehashed... READ MORE
For each of the 12 days of Christmas, I’ll review and fill out one of the “12 Ways of Christmas” …
In his (truly) amazing book The Better Part (which our own Circle Press publishes) Legionary Father John Bartunek comments on how God tricks us into loving him properly.
He came not as an Adonis, but as a poor infant child. For us, love means charged feelings of closeness and sweet... READ MORE
It’s now January, and for pro-lifers that means one thing: Preparations are in full swing for America’s annual Marches for Life.
Out in San Francisco, Walk for Life West Coast has introduced a new, high-profile approach to getting the pro-life message out in advance of the Jan. 24 San Francisco Walk for Life.
A 20-foot-by-60-foot “Abortion Hurts Women” billboard is now on display... READ MORE
The Pope with a Lebanese child at a Jan. 1 Mass. (CNS)
This should be an interesting and eventful year for Pope Benedict XVI.
Two landmark trips, possibly a new encyclical, leadership changes in the Roman Curia and a likely meeting with Barack Obama are among what’s in store for the Pope in 2009.
The Holy Father is scheduled to make his first visit to Africa this year, flying to Cameroon to take part in preparations for a meeting of African... READ MORE
In 1971, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., wrote this in a letter to a constituent:
“When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.”
The Pope holds the Book of the Gospels at this year's Synod. (CNS/Reuters)
Pope Benedict XVI uses his address to the Roman Curia, delivered each year shortly before Christmas, as an occasion to reflect on Church themes of current importance.
One of the topics the Pope highlighted in this year’s talk was the Word of God, which was the specific focus of the recent Synod of Bishops in Rome.
Myth 1: Atheists are more logical than believers. (But the reverse is also untrue.)
Myth 2: The burden of proof is on the religious. (Not in an ordered cosmos, it’s not.)
Myth 3: Science makes God obsolete.... READ MORE
The Pope visits the Nativity in St. Peter's Square following an evening prayer service Dec. 31. (CNS/Reuters)
Here is the official text of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2009 World Day of Peace message (footnotes can be viewed by going to the Vatican website here):
FIGHTING POVERTY TO BUILD PEACE
1. Once again, as the new year begins, I want to extend good wishes for peace to people everywhere. With this Message I would like to propose a reflection on the theme: Fighting Poverty to Build Peace. Back in 1993,... READ MORE
As others have noted, the Catholic-school movie Doubt (like the play) is kind of a Rorschach test that leaves audiences forming conclusions based on their preconceptions. The film, set in 1964, pits a disciplinarian nun (Meryl Streep) against a “the-Church-needs-to-change” priest (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) over his abuse of a child.
But having seen it, I think the movie version is open to... READ MORE
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