The caustic and always entertaining British novelist Evelyn Waugh observed: It is better to be narrow-minded than to have no mind, to hold limited and rigid principles than none at all. That is the danger which faces so many people today—to have no considered opinions on any subject, to put up with what is wasteful … Read more
Before I make some pointed remarks about Pope Francis’ latest demonstration of inadequacy, let me make one thing perfectly clear—for it is important to enter into this discussion somewhat chastened. If we are Catholic but have not prayed regularly for Pope Francis, we have no right to complain. Do we think Satan does not specifically … Read more
Canon lawyers disagree on whether Church law requires other bishops to honor Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s “Notification” barring Speaker Nancy Pelosi from Communion. But the logic of the matter is unavoidable. Other prelates—most notably Washington’s Cardinal Wilton Gregory—cannot ignore the challenge. The Washington archdiocese, in its first effort to avoid the question, issued an official statement: … Read more
Up until recently, our bishops have apparently deemed it very important to avoid any public discord. But the façade of unity is disintegrating. And that, I suggest, is cause for celebration. There have always been disagreements among Catholic bishops. Intelligent men will always have different perspectives. Seeing things differently, they can discuss and debate and … Read more
One Vatican office spying on another? It isn’t edifying. But read between the lines of the latest report emerging from the Vatican finance trial, and you can begin to see the outline of a larger scandal. The Pillar site, which continues to set the pace for coverage of the financial shenanigans, broke the story for … Read more
Insofar as Traditionis Custodes provides any explanation for its open hostility toward Catholic traditionalists, that explanation lies in the claim that traditionalist communities have caused divisions within the Church. Therefore, Pope Francis suggests (and the Congregation for Divine Worship even more sternly insists) traditionalism must be suppressed. That logic is backward. It was not the … Read more
After voting almost unanimously to approve a long-awaited statement on the Eucharist yesterday, the members of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gave themselves a hearty round of applause. I wonder if they noticed that not many other Catholics are clapping. What was it that prompted the bishops’ applause? Were they saluting each other … Read more
In a signed document explaining his “Rationale for a Diocesan Vaccination Covid-19 Policy,” Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London, Ontario, opens with a curious statement about the Church’s role: Our Church must be mindful that we are a component of society, unique in our vocation, but similar in operation and exposure as many others. Granted, from … Read more
More than six months have passed since the publication of a book that raises damaging questions about the integrity of Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga. More than three years have passed since Cardinal Maradiaga’s auxiliary, vicar general, and right-hand man, Bishop Juan José Pineda Fasquelle, resigned following an investigation into charges of sexual and financial misconduct … Read more
The Vatican certainly rolled out the red carpet for Nancy Pelosi. The blood-red carpet, you might say. Even as Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone was urging faithful Catholics to pray for the wayward Speaker, that she might have a “conversion of heart,” a smiling Pope Francis was greeting her at the apostolic palace, giving the world no … Read more