Recent Posts
Really Being Catholic
A regular Apologies reader forwarded me a New York Times opinion piece entitled, On Being Catholic. In it, author Gary Gutting offers a “sketch” on why he thinks “reflective and honest intellectuals actually believe [the tenants of Catholicism].” Interestingly, he claims his piece is neither an attempt at apologetics or personal testimony; basically, he says he is only [...]
Richard Dawkins, Mehdi Hasan, and a “winged horse”
Religion and Ethics editor for ABC Online, Scott Stephens, published an article today that I thought was simply excellent! Why? Well, if I am being honest, any article which takes Richard Dawkins to task is going to be high on my “favorite reads” list. However, what makes Stephens’ article so enjoyable was the approach [...]
More Wishful Thinking…
In a recently published e-zine article, an anonymous author begins their piece by mentioning the appointment of an “advisory board of cardinals” established by Pope Francis which, they feel, must have sent “shock waves” through the Vatican. I actually think mentioning the advisory board is a good starting point since the appointment of such [...]
3801 Lancaster – A documentary about Kermit Gosnell
Below is a documentary film about Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia Women’s Medical Society disaster and the cover-up by state and local oversight agencies. Lately, the news surrounding the Gosnell case isn’t the specifics of the case itself, but the coverage it is receiving, or more accurately, NOT receiving. A recent story in the Washington Post dismissed the [...]
Is there really a lack of “persuasive arguments” in the Church?
This article by Fr. John F. Baldovin, S.J. in the U.S. Catholic is horrible! While stating Pope Francis needs to be concerned that “the church needs to experience some profound changes,” Fr. Baldovin suggests that “[o]ne of the most important areas that needs attention from the new pope is liturgy.” To that end, Fr. Baldovin [...]
The impact of artificial birth control on society
Today I read two separate articles, each addressing different topics; however, both arrived at the same conclusion: birth control [pills] are responsible for trends the authors see in Western society. The first article, written by Dr. Christopher Manion, asks in its title, Should The Church Abandon Humanae Vitae? Dr. Manion is a former professor at [...]
Too much humility?
Is it possible to be too humble? Many people in our society seem to treat humility as a character flaw, as a sign of weakness, rather than a virtue to be pursued. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, has shown the true power of humble actions as millions around the world stand amazed at the simpleness of [...]
Text from the Ash Wednesday Message of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Pope Francis)
I found the following contained within the 2013 Ash Wednesday message proclaimed by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio to the people of Argentina. Spanish translation might be a little rough. Rend your hearts to say with the Psalmist: “we have sinned.” The wound of the soul is sin: Oh wounded poor recognize your doctor! Show him the [...]
Atheist Penn Jillette schools Catholic Piers Morgan on the faith
Piers Morgan should have been taking notes on how to be a Catholic. Penn’s point was simple, yet elegant: if you say are something (i.e. Catholic), then truly be that something. And if the description of what you say you are (e.g. pro-gay marriage, pro-female priests, pro-married priests, pro-artificial birth control, etc.) doesn’t match the [...]
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