Amoris Laetitia? “It should be read as a whole, in any case, adultery is always a mortal sin and the bishops who stir confusion on this should study for themselves the doctrine of the Church. We must help the sinner to overcome the sin and to repent.” The unity of Christians? “It is important, but Read more
If you’re my age, you’ll remember the Flat Earth Society. It was a New Zealand off-shoot of a group in England that sincerely believed the earth was flat because the Bible said so. They had many scriptural references, including sayings of Jesus, and they considered the notion of a round planet to be the work Read more
Let’s imagine a circle like a large bicycle wheel. The circle has paths resembling spokes converging in the centre. On the outer edge, my path may seem at a distance from other paths, maybe even opposite; but as I progress towards the centre, the other paths come closer until all unite as one. The circle, Read more
We all have those moments that go beyond words. Something seen or heard can touch us in a way we can’t describe, but in effect it softens us, warms us, expands us with a sense of light. We feel wide open to the beauty of God in creation. Our senses are the doorways. They may Read more
Momentum is building at the synod on the family for a change in the language the Church uses in its teaching on sexuality. But that doesn’t mean a change in Church doctrine, two leading cardinals have said. “Everybody wants to show God’s love and mercy, but it also brings you to very difficult situations and Read more
So I say to my competitive, jealous, and accumulative self, “Remember, but for the life-giving and loving gaze of God, you are but dust and to dust you shall return. “In reality there is no profit, no extra, no surplus, because all is God’s, and but for God’s generosity, there is nothing.” On Monday my Read more
A couple of months ago, I was sitting in my office working on a lesson plan when Veronica, a freshman student at my high school, abrasively stormed through the doorway. “So, Ms. Stapleton Smith,” she began rather brashly, “I have a few questions that the guidance counsellor told me I should come to see you Read more
Persons with a homosexual inclination must be treated with dignity but dignity means telling them the truth that “homosexuality is against human nature”, the papal theologian has said in an interview. Father Wojciech Giertych, who reviews the speeches of Pope Francis for theological accuracy, was interviewed by LifeSiteNews.com, a Canadian pro-life news website. Asked about Read more
The Catholic Church in Australia has declared it wants the truth exposed before the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse, and has pledged it will pay appropriate compensation to victims. The chief executive of the Church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council — which will represent the Church at the royal commission — Read more
Neither presidential campaign has distinguished itself with its veracity. But there is a hierarchy of deceit in campaigns, as in life. I recall an incident during the 1976 campaign, perhaps apocryphal, perhaps not. Jimmy Carter had said he would never lie to the American people. A group of reporters came to Plains, Ga., to interview Read more