275. In the second chapter, we reflected on that lack of deep spirituality which turns into pessimism, fatalism, and mistrust. Some people do not commit themselves to mission because they think that nothing will change and that it is useless to make the effort. They think: “Why should I deny myself my comforts and pleasures Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Christ’
Evangelii Gaudium: The mysterious working of the risen Christ and his Spirit
Friday, June 27th, 2014Christ and a growing rural addiction
Friday, October 25th, 2013
Pastoral Letter Most Rev Gerard J Holohan Bishop of Bunbury 29th September 2013 The Rural Financial Counselling Service reported recently that the number of rural people within Western Australia succumbing to internet pornography addiction, drug use and depression, is growing. Research shows internet pornography addiction to be a rapidly growing problem across Australia and overseas. Read more
Tides of ocean and cycles of faith
Tuesday, October 15th, 2013
In The Unquiet Grave Cyril Connelly, the 20th century Anglo-Irish critic, writer, and editor, having acknowledged the existence of the thousands of people like him (“…Liberals without a belief in progress, Democrats who despise their fellow-men, Pagans who still live by Christian morals, Intellectuals who cannot find the intellect sufficient—unsatisfied Materialists…”), concludes nonetheless that “there can be no Read more
Can Pope Francis shift the focus from himself to Christ?
Friday, July 26th, 2013
I’ve covered enough papal trips under Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI to be familiar with the routine. As the press centre fills, the first reports filter out of the Pope’s remarks to journalists accompanying him on the plane. The familiar Alitalia A330 touches down on the airport tarmac flying the Vatican and local Read more
Pope Francis: Jesus redeemed ‘even the atheists’
Friday, May 24th, 2013Emphasising that everyone has the potential to do good, Pope Francis has said Christ’s saving act on the cross was for everyone, no matter their belief. “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone. Even the atheists. Everyone,” he insisted. “We Read more
Venuezuelan president Hugo Chavez died ‘clinging to Christ’
Friday, March 8th, 2013
Hugo Chavez, the socialist president who transformed Venezuela while oppressing Catholic institutions in the 96 per cent Catholic country, reportedly died in “the bosom of the Church” on March 5. The Catholic News Agency said Chavez received spiritual direction and the sacraments in his last days, and Vice President Nicolas Maduro said he died “clinging Read more
Philippines Cultural Centre closes offensive art exhibition
Friday, August 12th, 2011
Kitchy symbols of pop culture, a crucifix, a movable penis and Christ do not mix well and have offended Filipino Catholics. “May your soul burn in hell” wrote a furious Facebook user, one of many who have denounced the work of Mideo Cruz as offensive art. Cruz intended the work to be a commentary on Read more
The sexuality of Christ in renaissance art
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
The recent death of the Art historian Leo Steinberg has revived interest in his controversial book “The Sexuality of Christ in Renaissance Art and in Modern Oblivion.” The book grew out of a question that had apparently occurred to no other modern scholar: Why is it that in so many Renaissance paintings of the Madonna and Child, Read more