074 :
13 Aug 2010

A Response to Tom McMahon... Catholica Editor, Brian Coyne, responds to Tom McMahon's reflection on Catholica and some of our recent commentaries [LINK]. [more]

073 :
27 Jul 2010

We are a Church in search of a re-vitalised leadership! Catholicism today is fast becoming just one amongst the thirty thousand or so churches that make a claim to be led by Jesus Christ. It is fast-losing any claim to primacy amongst the Christian churches. Catholica Editor, Brian Coyne, today explores what has gone wrong and what needs to be done if the institutional Catholic Church is to legitimately reclaim some sense of primacy amongst the Christian churches. [more]

072 :
26 Jun 2010

Extending yesterday's discussion... Is there a catastrophic split in institutionalised religion today between those who propose that essentially religion is some game of running around trying to prove you know all the laws, and those who see religion principally as a means through which people can learn, within a community and support context, how to make the best moral decisions in the nitty-gritty choices that crop up in their journey through life. Fundamentalists of course do not want to think. They want to obey and not have to think. The majority in civilisation though no longer seem comfortable with that and they have been tuning out from institutions that endeavour to promote the fundamentalist agenda for navigating one's way through life. How does an institution encourage people, and support them, in the quest to make the best moral choices in their lives when there are no priests, bishops or popes to call to make the decisions for the individuals who have to make the actual choices? [more]

071 :
25 Jun 2010

How do we make the correct choice when the choices are morally difficult? The extraordinary events in Australian Federal Politics yesterday where some 112 members of the Labor Party were forced to make the difficult moral choice between loyalty to a leader who was losing electoral appeal and the prospects of success at a rapidly looming election are a fascinating lesson in the sort of moral challenges any intelligent person faces at some point or other in life. By coincidence, last night on television across Australia, the ABC screened a documentary examining the difficult moral choice faced not only by Winston Churchill but by naval commanders and even ordinary sailors surrounding the decision to sink the French Naval Fleet lest it fall into the hands of Adolf Hitler. Today's commentary examines the challenges we all face in reaching the best moral decisions when the choices before us are difficult or next to impossible. [more]

070 :
18 Jun 2010

Book Review: A Short History of Nearly Everything Over recent days I been reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything. I finished it last night. Today's commentary is essentially a review of that book but many of the things in that book also intersect with two television programs I've been watching with much interest in recent weeks: Simon Schama's The American Future: A History and The Voyage to the Planets series on ABC Television. [more]

069 :
21 May 2010

Analysing some recent ideas from Pope Benedict... I received an email from Fr Kevin Murphy during the week suggesting that we explore on Catholica more deeply some of the ideas discussed by Pope Benedict in his recent comments to the press on the way to Portugal. John Allen gave the first report of the media conference in NCR and it was NCR's translation of the Pope's comments — originally given in Italian — that Fr Kevin sent through to me suggesting we might use this for the basis of a discussion here. Before tackling what I have to write as thought-starters for a discussion you might like to refresh your own memory by reading John Allen's report which you will find at: [John Allen's Report] | [the commentary from Brian Coyne]

068 :
11 May 2010

Do we need a new way of measuring our 'success' as Catholics? DavidC posted a stunning video on our forum late last night. It is of a virtual choice of 185 voices performing in cyberspace. Brian Coyne uses that video as an introduction to a series of questions for reflection on how we measure our "success" as Catholics. Has measuring our success on Mass Attendance figures reached its 'use-by date'? How do you measure your own success as a Catholic, a Christian, or simply as a person — is it by how often you attended church, or do you evaluate your 'success' by some other set of measures? We'd value your sharing your thoughts with us. [Forum Discussion String] | [Lead Commentary Archive Version]

067 :
08 May 2010

A brain storming session searching for a positive vision for Catholicism... In an endeavour to try and shift our discussion away from the constant flow of negativity and depression that some of our leaders seemed pathologically attracted to offering us these days through their pronouncements and misguided policy directions, I thought we might try a brain-storming session this weekend. If you were granted the power to create and inspire a form of Catholicism that was genuinely held in high regard by all people, not simply some minority which you, or some other person you might nominate might regard highly, what would be the characteristics of that Church? Last night I set down some thought-starters from my own personal perspective. The list which I have posted on our forum is not meant to be exhaustive but is an attempt to excite the neurons in your minds to expand on this list in a brain storm. In a "brain storm" one is seeking to accept all ideas rather than those that might be judged as practical/doctrinally sound/fitting in with some constitution or pre-defined set of 'rules'. The sorting out as to whether something can be implemented comes later. I invite you to share with us: What is the vision of a vibrant Catholicism you would like to see? [Forum Discussion String] | [Lead Commentary Archive Version]

066 :
29 Apr 2010

A new way of looking at the Resurrection... A slight change to the usual pattern today. Because of work pressures Dr Ian Elmer's commentaries are going to be less frequent for a period. I had one ready to go today but due to pressures on my own time have not yet been able to get to the layout. In place of that lead commentary I draw your attention to a post I placed on the forum yesterday which has already been drawing a lot of readers. It's a new look at the meaning of the resurrection story that I've been drawing from my reading of Aussie theologian, Denis Edwards' new book "How God Acts". The Resurrection in recent decades has been generating renewed controversy — as have such concepts as the Virgin birth. I argue in what I have written that Denis Edwards provides a possible way out of the controversy. [Forum Discussion String] | [Lead Commentary Archive Version]

065 :
24 Apr 2010

What sort of priests is the world looking for? Our reflection today centres on the experiences and outlooks of a number of former seminarians and former priests who left for various reasons. It's from a conversation that arose in the Catholica forum on the current crisis the institution is facing. Billy wrote: "Methinks this is all too little, too late now. As the mounting pressure builds up, the hierarchy will, little by little, be brought to their knees when they realise the magnitude and impact of a church that couldn't reform itself, has now become irrelevant to a modern day society that have simply moved on. It is the dying off, of an era." which led to ex-seminarian, TonySee, sharing his experiences. Catholica editor, Brian Coyne, subsequently invited other ex-priests and seminarians to share their perceptions about priesthood and what sort of priests they perceive society to be looking for today. [Forum Discussion String] | [Lead Commentary Archive Version]

064 :
18 Apr 2010

A radical proposal to end the present crisis? Today's commentary has been inspired by a complexity of inputs that the Editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, shares in both the introduction and in the later exploration of the theme he is opening up for discussion, debate, and conversation... [more]

063 :
03 Apr 2010

Too books worth paying attention to! Here is something to provide you with a sense of hope during what seems to be a generally gloomy Easter (at least from a Catholic institutional perspective). An introduction to two books the Editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, has found uplifting in recent days... [more]

062 :
13 Mar 2010

Prayers for Meetings When I attended a meeting at Hunters Hill Parish Hall last Wednesday night to act as roadie for my musician wife, little did I expect I'd find a new product to promote in the Catholica Spiritual Marketplace but also an interview with a very interesting lady. If you'll forgive the advertorial nature of this commentary let me share with you some good news... [more]

061 :
01 Feb 2010

Communication in a digital age... To kick off our new publishing year, Catholica editor, Brian Coyne, has some good news with which to start the year. There's a whole heap of questions too. We call ourselves 'a pilgrim people' — pilgrims on our way to discovering truth and love as it is understood by our Creator-God. How do you find truth, or love, in a digital and three-sentence attention span age? On Twitter you're not even given that luxury. You have to find it in 140 letters or less! [more]

060 :
10 Nov 2009

A serious writer on spirituality and religion or an entertainer? Catholica editor, Brian Coyne, has spent the last couple of days absorbed in Dan Brown's latest thriller, The Lost Symbol. Not unexpectedly it's a great read but Brian asks if we should treat a writer like this primarily as an entertainer or is he someone who has an important contribution to make to the great discussions going on in society at the moment about the place and meaning of religion and spirituality in our lives? [more]

059 :
23 Sep 2009

A History of the Knights of the Southern Cross At the beginning of this month the Knights of the Southern Cross in Australia celebrated their 90th birthday. Cliff Baxter was commissioned to write the history of the Order in New South Wales to mark the milestone. Catholica editor, Brian Coyne, who has a number of associations with the Knights, reviews the book... [more]

058 :
17 Sep 2009

What sort of ecclesial leadership do we need? The rumours are circulating again of changes at the senior leadership level of the Church in this country. In today's commentary the editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, poses questions regarding both the leadership and what, precisely, they are seeking to teach or preach... [more]

057 :
21 Aug 2009

Understanding Fundamentalism... In some senses the very existence of Catholica could be considered to be a response to fundamentalist thinking. Catholica itself might be characterised as a search for an alternative way of looking at religion, spirituality, theology and God to fundamentalist perspectives. Perhaps it is no surprise then that the editor, Brian Coyne has been deeply impressed by a study he recently came across by Karen Armstrong which explores Fundamentalism in the three great monotheist faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Today's lead commentary is a review of Karen Armstrong's book, The Battle for God. [more]

056 :
27 June 2009

A Good News Commentary... Catholica editor, Brian Coyne, today provides an introduction to two exciting adult faith learning experiences being promoted by the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn and the Diocese of Broken Bay. One of the initiatives — a National On-Line Conference for the Year of St Paul — takes place this coming Tuesday, and he proposes we follow this conference and conduct our own online forum in parallel with the many meetings in physical space that will be conducted around the nation at the same time. [more]

055 :
01 June 2009

Film Review: Angels and Demons... Brian Coyne reviews the controversial Ron Howard film, Angels and Demons. His conclusion is that there is much that is worth watching in this film beside the entertainment. [more]

054 :
09 May 2009

Living out of our anger! The publishers of Catholica husband and wife team, Amanda McKenna and Brian Coyne, have had our regular Wednesday commentator, Tom McMahon, as a house guest for the past five days. Tom is visiting Australia from his home in San Jose, California. Today's commentary flows out of the experience and sharing of perspectives. [more]

053 :
25 Apr 2009

Truth Conquers! The Editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, in this commentary explores some important territory: what's the ultimate objective of our institutional and personal life quests? It's a question linked to some questioning going on in the back room at Catholica at the moment as we endeavour to discern the objective of our endeavour or mission. [more]

052 :
11 Apr 2009

What will "church" look like in the future — Part V In the last commentary, Brian Coyne ended by suggesting there are three principal tools in communication that someone needs to be aware of if a message is to be successfully transmitted. He begins today with a re-capitulation of those principles before exploring where we (the institution is presently falling short) before concluding with some thoughts on the future character of the Church. [more]

051 :
04 Apr 2009

What will "church" look like in the future — Part IV In the fourth part of this extended series, Brian Coyne turns from discussion of what the objectives of the spiritual quest are to consideration of more practical issues. If we are to rebuild an effective Church we firstly need some consensus or agreement on what we're trying to communicate, then we need some agreement about our methodologies in how we get the message across. [more]

050 :
28 Mar 2009

What will "church" look like in the future — Part III The first two parts of this commentary were originally posted on the Catholica Forum on 24 and 25 March 2009. Overall the commentary is seeking to discern what the Church of the future might look like given some of the forces we see at work in society. This first part looked at the changing perceptions of the objective of belief. Part 2 looked at the consequences of the removal of a major incentive that operated in the past to draw people to Church. In this third part, Brian Coyne presents two arguments, one secular and the other spiritually based, that might be used to encourage increased liturgical participation again. [more]

049 :
28 Mar 2009

What will "church" look like in the future — Part II The first two parts of this commentary were originally posted on the Catholica Forum on 24 and 25 March 2009. Overall the commentary is seeking to discern what the Church of the future might look like given some of the forces we see at work in society. This first part looked at the changing perceptions of the objective of belief. This second looks at the consequences of the removal of a major incentive that operated in the past to draw people to Church. This part begins with a summary of the argument from Part I. [more]

048 :
28 Mar 2009

What will "church" look like in the future — Part I The first two parts of this commentary were originally posted on the Catholica Forum on 24 and 25 March 2009. Overall the commentary is seeking to discern what the Church of the future might look like given some of the forces we see at work in society. This first part looks at the changing perceptions of the objective of belief. Part 2 looks at the consequences of the removal of a major incentive that operated in the past to draw people to Church. In part 3, which has not been previously published on the forum, Brian Coyne looks at some possibilities of how we might "be Church" in the future. [more]