The Catholica forums... There are great discussions happening in our forums at the moment. We welcome the input of members to these discussions [The forum]

The Transfiguration... There is controversy in the air at the moment with this documentary to be shown on television around the world tonight alleging the discovery of the burial site of Jesus' family. Pereginrus' commentary today focuses on the Transfiguration — the event where the physical evidence of Jesus is reputed to have ascended into heaven. Peregrinus, in this commentary, seeks to explore the significance of the Transfiguration. In his email commentary today, the editor asked: What is more important though: is it the trail of physical evidence we leave in our wake or the trail of spiritual evidence we leave? [Peregrinus' commentary] | [Email commentary]

The Twilight zone of conscience... Following the provocative suggestion by Sydney's Cardinal Pell in the media at various times in the last decade or so that the Catholic teaching on Primacy of Conscience ought be either dropped or revised (see links at conclusion of commentary), the subject of conscience has been an agenda item. Today and next Tuesday we have pleasure in presenting two related and thought-provoking articles by Dr Andrew Thomas Kania which seek to explore some aspects of this complex subject. In his first article today he uses the example of Albert Speer to explore some of the negative aspects of the subject and how a person can be led into behaviours that would be classified as the products of a faulty conscience. Next Tuesday his article looks at the contrasting "Way of Christ" that endeavours to focus on the more positive aspects of conscience and how it can lead us in the right direction. Dr Kania's articles barely scrape the surface of this vast and complex subject. We hope his articles might serve to generate vigorous discussion in our forums exploring this subject in further depth. [more]

Christianity in contemporary society... Following a weekend news story in The Age newspaper which reports how the Uniting Church has come to the defence of a lawyer fighting a long-running injustice, Brian Coyne asks some uncomfortable questions about how we Christians and Catholics rate today on seeking to minister to the spiritually famished in our wealthy, powerful and educated nation. [more]

What does this mean: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"? From the other side of the Pacific, and taking a break from growing grass on his ranch in Texas, Alan Simpson, is joining us with a series of gentle reflections on the Sunday readings during Lent. In his first contribution, Alan reflects on the meaning in "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [more]