Putting the theology of "miracles" under scrutiny…

Dear Friends,

Our discussions and lead commentaries on Catholica these days serve as a catalyst not only for discussion on our own forums but often on other discussion boards and email lists in diverse parts of the world. One on-going discussion that has generated a lot of interest in various places has been the viewpoints various people have shared on miracles — and the wider question of how does this Mystery we try and describe with the word, God, interact with life, with us, and with Creation? Human beings have long been in awe of Creation, and of the intelligence and power of the Creator who thought it all up. our increasing education and scientific insights have given us a changing appreciation of these big questions about the nature of God's relation with his Creation and the if and how God might interact with it all, and with us, given this changing understanding we have of how Creation itself is put together. Professor Len Swidler has been working on some of these questions in a new book and he recently shared with a group of us a small section from that book on this question of miracles. He has kindly given us permission to reproduce this section of the forthcoming book on Catholica. Professor Swidler taught theology at the University of Tübingen with Joseph Ratzinger and today he holds the Chair of Catholic Thought and Interreligious Dialogue at Temple University, Philadelphia. <Read Professor Swidler's provocative commentary>

It's been a hectic week, couple in fact, with the stories we've been breaking. We're publishing early today as the editor wants a bit of downtime on Saturday. Might see you in the forum but if not we'll be back as normal early Sunday afternoon (Sydney time).

Bishop Robinson rejects criticism of his fellow bishops… Bishop Geoffrey Robinson has released a brief but pointed statement rejecting the criticisms leveled at him in the recent statement issued by the Australian Catholic Bishops. <more>

Pastoral care of "the people" – a case study… Following on from his commentary on Thursday Fr Daniel Donovan today shares the approach he used recently when called in to assist a parish community when their priest left as a result of feeling called to marriage. The approach Fr Donovan used was modified version of the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross process that is used for bereavement counselling. <Part 2 of 2>

Cardinal Mahony bans Robinson & Vatican applies pressure too… The Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles, Roger Mahony, has written to Bishop Geoffrey Robinson denying him permission to speak on Church property in his territory and has endeavoured to urge Bishop Robinson to cancel his speaking tour in North America. Cardinal Mahony's letter also reveals that the Vatican has been endeavouring to apply pressure to Bishop Robinson to stop promoting his book. Catholica has received this news, and the text of Cardinal Mahony's letter via Robert Blair Kaiser and Frank Douglas. Mr Kaiser, who is the author of the controversial novel, "Cardinal Mahony", also responds. This news story has partly been triggered because Robert Kaiser is in the course of preparing a promotional trip to Australia for the Australian release of his book, "Cardinal Mahony — A Novel" and he came across this sensational story in the course of preparing for his trip to our country. <more>

The pastoral care of the people in times of turmoil caused by the loss of a pastor… Fr Daniel Donovan shares his very personal feelings when one of his close priest friends decided to leave the priesthood. That experience, and being called in to help communities regain their equilibrium in situations where a priest suddenly leaves is what led to this valuable two-part commentary which we are running today and tomorrow. It might serve as a long-term resource available to any community that faces this kind of situation but hopefully it might help also in the development of pastoral strategies at the national and international levels that in time, communities and the people might find valuable. <Part 1 of 2>

"What are the three most important aspects of prayer for you?" This series of forum discussions on Wednesdays is attempting to shadow a series of commentaries by Dr Patrick Collins we published last year looking at The Spirituality of Thomas Merton (For the specific commentary see HERE). I hardly need to "kick off" any discussion today as both the commentary yesterday from Andrew Kania and the excerpt from Paul Collins' new book (Believers: Does Australian Catholicism have a future?) has already been generating much discussion in our forum. Nevertheless, here goes … and I just want to take one small aspect of the Collins'/Merton' reflection and throw it into the ring for discussion: Prayer as a place of sanctuary and freedom. <The Forum Discussion Thread> | <Dr Collins' original commentary>

The hidden self… We are all sinners we are told. How different people handle the skeltons in their cupboards differs from person to person. Today's commentary is a thought-provoking reflection by Dr Andrew Kania looking at this difficult issue of the things from our past that embarrass us and we want to keep hidden from view. When push comes to shove though we live in the knowledge that we cannot hide anything from our own conscience, nor from God. In some ways, and as an extension of this commentary, one could argue that if God did not exist there are some powerful arguments here as to why human beings might have to invent him, or her. All of us need some place of "Ultimate Truth". A place where we can see ourselves warts and all! <more>

2.2: The radical insights of The Sermon on the Mount… Being an extract from a larger work, the commentary today might be approached as a sort of "unfinished symphony". Many readers will be excited by the insights Tom Lee brings to this examination of the radical insights Jesus was driving at in what is perhaps his most acclaimed body of teaching — the Sermon on the Mount… <more>

Reflections on the nature of priesthood #15… Tom McMahon concludes his lengthy and brutally frank series tracing his changing perceptions of priesthood over a life that has spanned nearly eight decades and which encompassed both priesthood and fatherhood. <more>

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life or in our world!

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher