Satire… |
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 The Curious character of the Curia's take on Priesthood… Something completely different today. Herbie — a regular contributor to the Catholica forums but a now retired theologian and teacher who has had an illustrious career lecturing around the globe — has been entertaining us in recent days with a series of funny posts on the forum taking the mickey out of a certain Cardinal Archbishop in America who created a headline a few days ago suggesting that priests are more than dispensers of the Sacraments. Here's his latest contribution to that series — and to the wider discussion on the changing nature of priesthood. How do the ordinary pewsitters view the priesthood and how do those who sit in the ivory towers of the institution view the role of the priest? You'll find the earlier post this commentary follows on from at: Post id=34581. <more>
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Dr Ian Elmer… |
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 Did Jesus and His Disciples Oppose the Temple? This is a fascinating commentary from biblical scholar Dr Ian Elmer today — one that I predict will become one of the most read and studied on Catholica in time. In the very best traditions of Catholic scholarship, Ian today invites us to examine some very important attitudes of Jesus towards Judaism. As most readers of Catholica will appreciate the relations between Christians and Jews include much which is ugly and significant efforts have been made over the last century to re-visit where this relationship became screwed up. Dr Elmer isn't directly endeavouring to solve the problem of the relation of Christians to Jews. He's attempting to cut to a fuller, more honest, or more truthful understanding of certain passages in the Gospels that have been problematic — for centuries and possibly millennia. We live in an exciting epoch when we have the benefit of rich reflections like this. <more>
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Tom McMahon… |
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 The Psychology of Priesthood #13 Tom McMahon sounds a bit frustrated at the beginning of today's commentary. He picked up Karen Armstrong's book on the Crusades hoping that it might shed light on the insights he was seeking. Evidently it turned out to be a disappointment so he has begun searching elsewhere for the particular information he's after in this extended exploration of how civilisation, the priests themselves, developed the psyche of priesthood that has been so familiar in our day — and which seems to be losing its tarnish. <more>
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George Ripon… |
 Lay Celebration of the Eucharist... Now here's something to stir your passions — and bring the trads down out of their trees roaring their terrible roars — our resident Irish-Catholic, aged, liberal, reforming pot stirrer, George Ripon, rips into any number of Sacred Cows — popes and bishops. Let her rip, George. Come back and tell us what you think of George Ripon's proposals in our forum… <more>
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SPECIAL SERIES: The Invention of Christianity – The First 500 Years by Tom Lee |
 22.2: The Conversion of Augustine In today's and next week's instalments from Tom Lee's study of the Origins of Christianity the focus is on Augustine, the forces which helped shape his views and theology, and the impact these had on the Church. <more>
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Francis Brown… |
 A lifetime spiritual journey #14… Introduction by Brian Coyne: I remember a priest saying to a group of us around the time I was leaving school and going to university that even under the most orthodox interpretation of Catholic Church teaching it was difficult for any person to commit a mortal sin. I've pondered on those words many times over my lifetime and they came back to me as I was preparing today's commentary from Francis Brown. Francis challenges today the concepts of death and sin. I'm not sure that I wholly agree with him. While I do think there are few people who run around deliberately being sinful. I do think we all make plenty of bloody stupid decisions in our lives, or think stupid things, that bring disharmony into our lives — or the lives of our families, neighbours and communities. What Francis seems to be arguing here is a way of thinking that helps restore harmony and wholeness into our lives. This is another beautiful reflection worth sitting with quietly for a lengthy period of time. <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 |
