As the official synodal process enters its fourth year, the Vatican recently released the document, the instrumentum laboris, to guide discussions for the October 2024 synod. The document was relatively stunning in its admission of challenges, beauty of language on the Trinity and Christ and mission; and, for its announcement that opening the diaconate for Read more
US President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for a second presidential term is a major event in US history, but also for American Christianity. It marks the end of a generation of Catholics in politics, those who arrived on the national political scene in the wake of World War II and the GI Bill Read more
What to make of the strange incident which took place during and after the Olympic opening ceremony last week? ‘ As part of the grand, self-aggrandising spectacle on the banks of the Seine, a troupe of drag queens staged a re-enactment of Leonardo da Vinci’s celebrated painting The Last Supper. An ersatz, plump, drag Jesus Read more
Among the central tenets of almost any type of spiritual pursuit is that the pilgrim involved in it must become converted. Adherents need to be transformed from one kind of person into another kind of person, preferably a better one. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” St. Paul admonished the Roman Christians. Conversion Read more
Remember the Synod on Synodality? The synod has just produced its latest “working document” (instrumentum laboris) to direct the next round of discussion. For the most part it’s more sensible than previous stages of the synod. It clears the way to discuss how the church might be synodal in a more grown-up way. Some people Read more
Composting is not for everyone. I realise this when I go home to visit my parents in Florida, or almost anywhere outside states, such as Vermont, that mandate it. Curbside pickup is rare. Many view it as a chore. Even for people like me who enjoy transforming leftovers into rocket fuel for their garden, composting Read more
Thousands of Catholics participated earlier this month in the National Eucharistic Congress, a five-day event in Indianapolis that concluded July 21. Parishes and other Catholic institutions around the country sponsored adult education programmes to promote this final stage of a three-year eucharistic revival launched by the U.S. bishops. The revival itself has been subject to Read more
Schism is an entrenched idea within Church History. The conclusion – that some members of the Church have stepped so far beyond the bounds of orthodoxy and propriety that the rest can no longer consider themselves in communion with them – goes back to Antiquity. Schisms of old could be vicious and violent affairs. Just Read more
From one synod session to another, where do we stand? “The Holy People of God has been set in motion for mission thanks to the synodal experience,” declared Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., General Rapporteur of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Invited to exchange ideas using the method of spiritual conversations, Read more
Loneliness affects everyone at different times. Although it is well documented men are less likely than women to talk about feelings and to seek help, our research found men’s work arrangements can be a significant contributor. We found loneliness was highest among men in their late 40s but it also occurred at other times, often Read more