Great reads

Conservative priests and liberal laity: Can the synod heal our divides?

Thursday, November 23rd, 2023
synod

The results of a national survey of Catholic priests released by The Catholic Project on Nov. 7 revealed an interesting dynamic in U.S. Catholic life. In the terminology used in the survey questions, young U.S. Catholic priests tend to be theologically traditional and politically conservative, particularly compared to older priests. Meanwhile, U.S. Catholics as a Read more

Javier Milei smooths waters with “imbecile” pope

Thursday, November 23rd, 2023
Javier Milei

During the election campaign the now new Argentine president Javier Milei labelled Pope Francis a “‘filthy’ communist”, an “imbecile”, and the “representative of the Evil One seated on the throne of the house of God”. Milei – a far-right populist and libertarian economist who was prone to brandishing a chainsaw on the campaign – got Read more

Pope Francis’ inclusive stance resonates with transgender community

Thursday, November 23rd, 2023
transgender

In a significant gesture towards inclusivity, Pope Francis extended a lunch invitation to a group of transgender individuals. The group, mostly Latin American migrants and often engaged in sex work, has received unprecedented support from the Vatican. Under the guidance of the local parish priest, Rev Andrea Conocchia, these women now attend Francis’ weekly audiences Read more

Catholic priest delivers twins in cathedral grounds

Thursday, November 23rd, 2023
Catholic priest

A Catholic priest suddenly found himself taking on tasks usually performed by a midwife when her helped deliver a homeless woman’s twins in the grounds right outside his cathedral. “What is God trying to tell me through the extraordinary experience?” he wondered. It was just a ordinary errand that began the extraordinary chain of events Read more

Famous statue of Christ dons a Taylor Swift T-Shirt

Monday, November 20th, 2023

Last week, Rio de Janeiro’s 125-foot Christ the Redeemer was illuminated with the image of a Taylor Swift T-shirt bearing a message welcoming the singer to the country for the latest leg of her Eras Tour. The rector of the sanctuary agreed to the Swifties’ request on the condition that they raise funds to buy Read more

‘Excuse me, Your Eminence, she has not finished speaking’

Monday, November 20th, 2023
synod

Without doubt, the best line to emanate from the Synod on Synoldality is “Excuse me, Your Eminence, she has not finished speaking.” That sums up the synod and the state of the Catholic Church’s attitude toward change. In October, hundreds of bishops, joined by lay men and women, priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers met Read more

Liturgy is not the place for revealing tops, short skirts …

Monday, November 20th, 2023
liturgy

Bad liturgy should not be happening and some practices must change. The comments come in a warning from Archbishop Roger Houngbédji O.P. of Cotonou. He has observed many “unruly” liturgical celebrations during his seven years as head of Benin’s largest Catholic diocese. Houngbédji has reminded priests, deacons, consecrated persons and laity of the archdiocese of Read more

Liturgical theologian supports Bishop Gielen’s initiative

Monday, November 20th, 2023
Liturgical theologian - Joe Grayland

Liturgical Theologian Dr Joe Grayland questions why fringe groups such as the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer are tolerated. “They do not belong to the mainstream of the Church and do not follow the ordinary form of the Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969 (Novus Ordo). Last week, NewsHub alleged the Sons of Read more

Family and success can go together

Monday, November 20th, 2023
Malvina Major

Dame Malvina Major (pictured) has a message for aspiring artists. “If there’s one message that I’d like to give to younger performers, it is that you can have a life, and have a successful life in opera at the same time” she says. “Students, and particularly women, struggle now as they try to balance their Read more

New Zealand’s Catholic intellectual leadership is now called to act

Thursday, November 16th, 2023

In his new motu proprio Ad theologiam promovendam, 1 November 2023, Pope Francis called for “a paradigm shift” in contemporary theology. He signalled how this shift must take place, through “transdisciplinary dialogue with other scientific, philosophical, humanistic and artistic knowledge, with believers and non-believers, with men and women of different Christian confessions and different religions.” Read more