Catholic churches across the country are being violently attacked

It's not getting much (any?) attention in the mainstream media, but Catholic parishes in several states have been physically attacked recently. In Ocala, Florida, a man firebombed a Latin-rite church as parishioners were inside preparing for Mass: A Florida man lit a Catholic Church aflame on Saturday, while people inside prepared for morning Mass.The Marion … Continue reading Catholic churches across the country are being violently attacked →

Good Friday

Am I a stone, and not a sheep,That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,To number drop by drop Thy blood’s slow loss,And yet not weep?Not so those women lovedWho with exceeding grief lamented Thee;Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;Not so the thief was moved;Not so the Sun and MoonWhich hid their faces in … Continue reading Good Friday →

Even demons believe

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.James 2:19 Think of all the hate there is in Red ChinaThen take a look around to Selma, AlabamaAh, you may leave here, for four days in space,But when your return, it's the same old place,The poundin' of the drums, the pride and … Continue reading Even demons believe →

One small place of enchantment

I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to.Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God … Continue reading One small place of enchantment →

Pruning and weeding as frames of mind

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.George Washington Carver Adam was a gardener, and God, who made him, sees that half of all good gardening is done upon the knees.Rudyard Kipling For behold, the kingdom of God … Continue reading Pruning and weeding as frames of mind →

Ash Wednesday

You remember too much,my mother said to me recently.Why hold onto all that? And I said,Where can I put it down?Anne Carson, The Glass Essay Photo Credit This is one of my favorite poems, with a line that has pretty much become my mantra: "Teach us to care and not to care. Teach us to … Continue reading Ash Wednesday →

No, the church does not have to change to remain “relevant”

One refrain I get deeply exhausted with is the notion that "churches have to change to remain relevant in the modern world." The people who say such things usually want their church to behave more like a political party than a religious institution. (Like Pope Francis, who would prefer a Marxist church to the Roman … Continue reading No, the church does not have to change to remain “relevant” →

Canon vs secular law in the bankruptcies of Catholic dioceses

I've written a lot about financially distressed Catholic dioceses and how the financial structure of the Catholic Church insulates the Vatican from accountability. I came across this very interesting article about how dioceses have started moving funds and property into charitable trusts as abuse lawsuits have piled up. Is it a coincidence of management or … Continue reading Canon vs secular law in the bankruptcies of Catholic dioceses →

Why Republican governors are choosing to keep their refugee resettlement programs

Elise on the playground with a refugee girl from the Congo. These little ladies were inseparable. Tucker Carlson - whose views I increasingly cannot stand - had a segment last night trying to "explain" why it was that most Republican governors have decided to continue and even expand refugee resettlement in their states. Of course, … Continue reading Why Republican governors are choosing to keep their refugee resettlement programs →

The United Methodist Church files for divorce over LGBTQ rights

Well, it's pretty much a done deal: the United Methodist Church is splitting up and the two remaining factions will have nothing to do with each other. As with most divorces, this was less about the nature of the disagreement that led to the split and all about who gets to keep money and property: … Continue reading The United Methodist Church files for divorce over LGBTQ rights →