Private property and the Roman Catholic Bishop’s immigration statements

Let’s look at another point raised by one of those who commented on immigration as regard the statements of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called Strangers No Longer: #35 says that “all the goods of the earth belong to all the people”. Wow. That eliminates all private property up to and including my toothbrush. In fact, it would seem to decriminalize burglary, since my... [Read more]

A balanced view of the Roman Catholic paedophilia scandal

Yesterday I asked some questions about how does one differentiate between a conspiracy and simple paranoia thinking? How does one accept criticism from those outside of your political or philosophical or religious circle? Well, I have an excellent example of how to do so in an article written by Peggy Noonan, a former speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan. Ms. Noonan regularly writes as a conservative... [Read more]

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How can one tell if it is a conspiracy?

I have a serious question. As you have read lately, Pope Benedict XVI has been taking a lot of heat for the growing pædophilia scandal in several countries. But, it is the reaction that raises a question in my mind. I know the responses that I have read from the Vatican and from other Roman Catholic sources. The vast majority of them are supportive. Several of them pointed out some discrepancies in... [Read more]

Roman Catholic bishops, healthcare, and pro-life

Yesterday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published a statement to go along with the signing of the new healthcare bill by President Obama. I posted the statement yesterday on this blog, but it can also be found here. It, and the letter to Congress that I also posted yesterday, are important statements, both for what it says concerning healthcare and what it says about pro-life in... [Read more]

Roman Catholic and Orthodox differences on Original Sin

In a couple of the last posts there has been an ongoing discussion of the differences in the concept of Original Sin between Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy. So, let me put a couple of citations from the Wikipedia that may help people to see the differences. Why from the Wikipedia? Well, because they are better at summarizing than theologians.   I am aware that any summary always is insufficient,... [Read more]

Anglican Church in North America responds to Vatican announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2009 We rejoice that the Holy See has opened this doorway, which represents another step in the growing cooperation and relationship between our Churches. This significant decision represents a recognition of the integrity of the Anglican tradition within the broader Christian church. While we believe that this provision will not be utilized by the great majority of... [Read more]

Note on Anglicans wishing to enter the Catholic Church

Father Orthoduck says, Anglicans are IN. Press release today from the Vatican Information Service: VATICAN CITY, 20 OCT 2009 (VIS) – In a meeting with journalists held this morning in the Holy See Press Office Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia O.P., secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship... [Read more]

Que será, será

Father Orthoduck does not agree with the optimism of the Catholic Archbishop of Moscow. But, one never knows. And, our prayer ought to be for unity. All too often, our prayers for unity are that God will show those near-heathen near-pagan others that they should believe just like we do. Father Orthoduck thinks that when we pray that we may be one our prayers should begin and end with, “Lord Jesus... [Read more]

Another Perú missionary stress story

When my wife and I first arrived in Bolivia, in January of 1990, we went to Cochabamba to attend the Instituto de Idiomas Maryknoll (Maryknoll Language Institute). My wife was taking the beginning course, while I was taking the advanced course. Though I was born overseas, I had grown up in the USA. So, I had a child’s level of Spanish. Mind you, a native child, but, nevertheless, both my vocabulary... [Read more]

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But, Holy Tradition does exist

I was fortunate to have a theological professor who pointed out that every decision of an ecumenical council, whether dogmatic or disciplinary was introduced by words similar to those found in Acts 15, that is, it seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit, with the addition of a phrase about being in accord the the teaching of the Fathers. In spite of that, while no dogmatic decision has ever been... [Read more]

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