As we enter Lent, we reflect on the role of sin in our lives. But we often — maybe generally — look too narrowly at what constitutes sin. After Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873, the country abandoned the lunar calendar altogether by 1910. So, though the rest of Asia welcomed this year of Read more
Nine out of ten Catholics in France firmly believe the Church needs to change its attitude towards sexual morality, according to the findings of poll last month that was co-sponsored by La Croix. Many moral theologians in the country agree with that assessment. One of them said that re-formulating Church teaching on human sexuality is Read more
The Hound of Heaven who drove me into the church, also led me to the right priest for instruction, dear Monsignor Tottman, who gave me the structure that was missing in my enthusiasm. While I waffled on about the spiritual experience, he smiled kindly and said. “I’m a bread and butter man, myself.” He showed Read more
The Devil’s favourite sin is pride, according to Father Juan José Gallego, an exorcist from Spain. In an interview after his first decade as an exorcist, Gallego admitted in the beginning he “had a lot of fear”. “All I had to do was look over my shoulder and I saw demons… the other day I Read more
A bishop who is the former chief of staff for the U.S. Bishops’ committee on doctrine has written to Pope Francis. He says the current pontificate is marked by “chronic confusion”. He warns Francis his teaching with a “seemingly intentional lack of clarity risks sinning against the Holy Spirit.” Read more
When reading church teaching on sin, I tend to walk a parallel path, acknowledging the principles but interpreting them a different way. Many women do this, because feminine spirituality tends to be different and complementary to the masculine model. Our gender differences are shaped by our biological roles. For a man, sin usually affects personal Read more
When I read the church fathers’ teaching about sin, I acknowledge the principles but interpret them a different way. Many women do this because feminine spirituality tends to be a little different, although complementary to the male model. Our spiritual paths are shaped by our biological roles. Most men achieve spiritual growth through information and structure. Read more
Classically, both in the world and in our churches, we have seen despair as the ultimate, unforgivable sin. The simple notion was that neither God, nor anyone else, can save you if you simply give up, despair, make yourself impossible to reach. Most often in the popular mind this was applied to suicide. To die Read more
Lent is a good time to examine our consciences regarding greed in all its forms: In faith, love, forgiveness, time, abilities, and finances. Greed can distort reality, manipulate truth, coerce sinful actions, and compromise virtue and a desire to follow the ways of God. This weekend, the Lenten journey continues but lightens up with “Rejoice Read more
Environmental destruction is a sin. In what can be called a very drastic and radical departure from traditional Catholic concepts of “sin,” “charity” and good deeds, Pope Francis has actually called the act of destroying environment a “sin.” This is perhaps the first time a leader of an Abrahamic religion has spoken so much about Read more