Kerry Gonzales and Brian Coyne… |
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 Do we need a new Creed? Catholica commentator, Kerry Gonzales, and myself, Brian Coyne, editor, were the two invited to stir up a good discussion at the Sutherland Shire Spirituality in the Pub meeting on Wednesday night. Our addresses certainly seemed to fire up a vigorous discussion on the relevance, or factual truth, of various parts of the Creed today and on wider related issues of how the institution seems incapable of responding to the questions many educated people have today on fundamental questions to do with our beliefs as Christians and Catholics. We reproduce today the discussion-starter addresses each of us gave which stirred up the very interesting and positive discussion. <more>
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Dr Ian Elmer… |
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 Puzzling out the Passover… This week Ian begins a new series of reflections on passages from the Bible that remain the subject of debate and conversation — "puzzling passages", if you will. As the first foray into this subject, he thought it appropriate to begin where our whole faith tradition began, with the story of the first Passover. <more>
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Tom McMahon… |
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 The Psychology of Priesthood #3 Tom McMahon provided this personal update on his health and introduction to today's commentary: "A personal to my readers: Since my June 30th stroke I have tested myself as to what damage still remains. Can I still think clearly? Today's medical examination offers that all symptoms will pass away. I do tire. I am driven to pursue the connection from early Roman psychology to the present day clerical sexual abuse and its cover up. The following is my fourth revision of an original paper and I can see a need for more, nature willing. Readers be patient as I need be with myself; every day I glean more information in talking with others that helps complete the mosaic. We are at a point of history bigger than the revolt of Martin Luther and we need proceed with painstaking care. We are on the trail of an elusive psychological link in the haystack of 1700 years of history. I do appreciate feedback as to my clarity and your understanding." <more>
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Dr Andrew Kania… |
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 Last Man Kneeling (cf. Genesis 18: 23-33, LXX) In his most recent commentaries Dr Andrew Kania has made passing reference to the German Lutheran Theologian and World War II martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. That led to him reading up much further on Bonhoeffer in the past week and preparing this essay which explores the courage of the man. Understated in his summary of the life of Bonhoeffer, Dr Kania hints, via a quote from the Dominican mystic, Johannes Tauler, that the real question posed by the example of Bonhoeffer is the one of what moral courage are any of us asked to exhibit in the face of injustice and tyranny? Would any of us have had the courage of a Dietrich Bonhoeffer were we faced with a similar set of circumstances? Faced with a political leader like Adolf Hitler what are the moral limits one must go to in opposing their behaviours? <more>
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SPECIAL SERIES: The Invention of Christianity – The First 500 Years by Tom Lee |
 19.2: The Council of Nicaea… In today's commentary and next week Tom Lee spends a little time looking at the outcomes of the Council of Nicaea. This first ecumenical council played a crucial role in moulding the subsequent development of the Church. <more>
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Francis Brown… |
 A lifetime spiritual journey#2… Chapter One of Francis Brown's book, My Love is Here — an evolution in spirituality, he entitled "Beginnings" but I think it might be more accurate to describe it as a fourteen paragraph set of stepping stones across his entire life. He lays out the five or so paradigmatic turning points of his journey which he'll be exploring in more detail as this series moves on. <more>
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Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life or in our world.
Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher |
