We need to let go of negative feelings that come from being offended, writes Mike Nelson What could be more essential to life than breathing – or forgiving? Breathing and forgiving: One follows the other. Forgiveness, as Jesus makes clear throughout his earthly ministry, is part of the deal for all who call themselves his…
Elizabeth Scalia In discussing the removal or transfer of a pastor, Canon 1752 reads, “… prae oculis habita salute animarum, quae in Ecclesia suprema semper lex esse debet”, in English, “… keeping in mind the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law of the Church”. The phrase resonates so deeply with me…
I work and move within Church circles and find that most of the people there are honest, committed, and for the most part radiate their faith positively. Most churchgoers aren’t hypocrites. What I do find disturbing in Church circles though is that many of us can be bitter, mean-spirited, and judgmental in terms of defending…
Q: What’s going on with the Latin Mass, and why do some priests like to celebrate it while others don’t? A: It’s good to keep in mind that priests are human beings who, like the rest of us, form personal opinions about things that are important to them. So your question is a rather complex…
Michael R. Heinlein As Catholics, we recognise that the holy Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of our faith. The innumerable gifts received in holy Communion draw us more closely to Christ. But there also are a variety of reasons why someone might not be able to receive sacramental holy Communion. Sometimes reception of holy…
The Sunday Gospel Scripture Reflection for May 5, 2024, Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 1 Jn 4:7-10 Jn 15:9-17 In a digital culture dominated by social media and technological means of communication, the idea of friendship can often be reduced to superficial exchanges. Friendship is measured by numbers…
The Christian blessing is more than a nice gesture, writes Bert Ghezzi I used to make the sign of the cross casually as a nice gesture for beginning and ending my prayers. More than a decade ago, probably nudged by the Holy Spirit, I began to take it more seriously. I began to sign…
Why do we no longer get along with each other? Why is there such bitter polarisation inside of our countries, our neighborhoods, our churches, and even in our families? Why do we feel so unsafe in many of our conversations where we are perpetually on guard so as not to step on some political, social,…
In a document that covers an enormous amount of ground, the Church risks upsetting and assuaging critics on both sides of the societal divide as it addresses the fundamental issue of human dignity in the latest Declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith Dignitas Infinita. What is the meaning of human dignity?…
Sr Anne Marie Walsh SOLT “Your beliefs don’t make you a good person. Your behaviour does.” This is a meme that floats around Facebook every so often, but the idea has been around from the beginning of time. It’s been noted that the devil believes in God but is no better off for it. Just…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser