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  Last week, I wrote a little piece on the ways in which the various Protestantisms filter the sometimes ambiguous text of Scripture through various semi-permeable membranes in order to accept the bits of the Catholic Tradition they approve of while a) removing those things they dislike and b) stapling on those human ideas and notions they want to add or elevate to the status of Divine Revelation.   That sort of seditious talk immediately got blasted as a "classic attack on the perspicuity of Scripture" in the normal circles of anti-Catholic apologetics huff-puffery (my encounters with which I...

  Recently, Rod Dreher posed a question about what a Catholic is to do when he thinks a magisterial authority has made some error of fact concerning, say, science, politics, or economics. Dreher's post concerns the question of whether some bishops are mistaken to think morning-after pills are abortifacient, but it could just as easily pertain to some bishop holding forth on farm subsidies, water quality in the Columbia River, the violence in Gaza, or the output of Hollywood.   What concerns Dreher is how a Catholic walks the line between paying attention to what the bishops have to say...

However, all that changed on August 9th when Fr. Bourgeois chose to become a “concelebrant” and homilist at the attempted ordination to the priesthood of Janice Sevre-Duszynska. The attempted “ordination” occurred at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington, Ky. Now, Fr. Bourgeois has decided to engage in a new crusade, one which involves public and direct defiance of the Holy See and a repudiation of the unbroken teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church concerning sacred ordination. According to a letter which Fr. Bourgeois released to the Press, he has received a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine...

In last week’s catechetical post, I likened the deposit of faith–all that Christ has revealed to us through His Church–to a bank deposit, with the Church being the bank and the apostles and bishops having special authority to safeguard this deposit so that it might bear interest for the kingdom of God.Another way of approaching this reality is to think of the Church’s Magisterium, or teaching office, as a fence or wall. If the deposit of faith is understood as a body of teachings regarding what we are to believe and how we are to live as Christians in the world, one...

I've been noticing an ongoing stream of headlines relating to the Golden Compass in recent weeks (it opens Dec. 7th), and also to the Catholic League's initiative to boycott the film because it is based on Philip Pullman's anti-Catholic series, His Dark Materials. I blogged about this story back in August ("The Golden Compass is pointing towards anti-Catholicism") and composed a short summary of what you need to know about the film back in October ("The word is getting out about The Golden Compass"). Now, with the movie's release immanent, and the fate of films two and three hanging...

On Dec. 7, 2007, the movie "The Golden Compass," based on the first book in the fantasy trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" by atheist Philip Pullman will be released in theaters throughout the world. Pullman wrote his fantasy trilogy because he was so upset by the Christian evangelism of C.S. Lewis in his wonderful series of Christian tales entitled "The Chronicles Of Narnia." Pullman is an avowed atheist who has dedicated his life to undermining Christianity and the Church among young readers. The film's release is only another example of a culture spiraling away from faith, a culture into which...

Anti-Christian Children's Novel Coming out as Time Warner Film in December starring Nicole Kidman By Elizabeth O'Brien LOS ANGELES, August 20, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The best selling novels of atheist author Philip Pullman, which were written specifically to indoctrinate children with anti-Christian values, have sparked the creation of a controversial new fantasy film to be released this December 7 by New Line Cinema - a Time Warner Company. Starring Nicole Kidman, "The Golden Compass," is based on Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, which includes "Northern Lights" (re-titled "The Golden Compass" in the United States), "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber...

CathNews alerts us to the potential problem: Nicole Kidman has denied that a new film she's making is anti-Catholic. The movie features an organisation known as "The Magisterium", which kidnaps children to remove their souls.The Brisbane Times reports that Kidman told a US magazine that her Catholic faith affected her consideration of the script for the film, which is titled The Golden Compass.The fantasy film is based on a novel by Philip Pullman called Northern Lights. It is already attracting attention in the US for avoiding much of the book's perceived anti-Catholic rhetoric.Kidman said some of the religious elements...

COLUMBUS, Ohio, OCT. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Young people want something built on a solid foundation after seeing how the culture of death is destroying society, said author David Hartline. Hartline is the author of the recent book "The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism," published by Catholic Report. In this interview with ZENIT, Hartline considers some of the changing trends in the Church that have come about through courageous Catholic leaders, seen especially in Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Q: What motivated you to write "The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism"? Hartline: While working for the Church, I began...

LONDON – A debate over a movie’s anti-religious antagonism – or lack thereof – is heating up ahead of its upcoming release, with some accusing Hollywood of “castrating” the anti-Catholic themes present in the novel from which it is based. The expected blockbuster, “The Golden Compass,” is named after the American title of best-selling author Philip Pullman’s novel “Northern Lights” and will star actress Nicole Kidman and James Bond star Daniel Craig. The original children’s novel, part of Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” series, rejects organized religion – in particular, the Catholic Church – and critics of the movie version say...

As Pope John Paul II wrote in Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth) the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, and through the magisterium, serves as the “pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), particularly through its teaching of truth regarding moral action. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than the tragedy of abortion, especially in contrast to where some (but certainly not all) Protestants stand on the issue, including two extremely influential Protestants: Bill and Hillary Clinton. No president did as much to advance legalized abortion as Bill Clinton, who is now poised to be exceeded in...

It is, as always, a great joy to be here at the Church Teaches Forum, and to be able to greet everyone who is here and participating. In a very special way, I want to greet again the many wonderful friends that, over these last several years, I have had the opportunity to meet at this Forum, and I want to salute in a particular way, Mr. Smith, whose generosity and Catholic zeal is so largely responsible for a great deal of this forum's activities. I also want to say a word of gratitude to His Excellency, the Most Reverend...

Many modern people have the notion that the principal mission of the Catholic Church is to impose belief on unbelievers. The reality is that most of its time is spent trying to restrain belief in everything from spoon-bending to the aliens who allegedly speak to us through a cat in Poughkeepsie.The riptides and cross-currents of religious enthusiasm in American culture are kaleidoscopic and dizzying. Cradle Catholics can be forgiven for just ignoring the whole thing and many of them do. But it’s still worth taking into account because some religious trends can have decided real-world effects.Some of the effects of...

Some people assure us: 'there are very few infallible teachings. In fact, the bolder spirits claim there are only two! Or again: 'We may disagree with noninfallible teachings after prayerful reflection.' Or take a third statement like: 'God speaks to us in many ways: through conscience, Scripture, the Church, life experience, nature'-without any indication of where the Magisterium stands in the matter. People talk also of a parallel magisterium consisting of the theologians. Because of the great confusion prevailing today concerning the doctrinal authority of the Church and how it is exercised, it is vital that Catholics clarify their thoughts...

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Other Articles by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. How the Infallibility of the Magisterium Protects Us 08/10/06 If there is any dogma that sticks in the craw of non-Catholics, it is the dogma of papal infallibility. “How” ask many, “can Catholics actually believe that any human being is incapable of error?” In This Article...By Divine AssistanceWhat If Bishops Disagree?Special Authority of the Successor of Peter By Divine Assistance But what about the human authors of sacred Scripture? The Gospel narratives are quite frank about the foibles of Peter, Paul, and the rest. But all Christians believe that their writings...

If the term “Magisterium” means “teaching office” and refers to the teaching role of the Pope and bishops, where does that leave all the other teachers in the Church — parents, catechists, professors, priests and deacons? The answer is, it leaves them with a lot of work to do! Passing on the Catholic Tradition to people who have yet not heard the Gospel — whether they be new generations of Catholic children or unevangelized peoples — is a task that requires the efforts of the whole Church (Deo Verbum 10). The teaching activity of the Church is certainly not limited...

All Christians can agree on this, that the Bible is God’s authoritative and inspired word, and ought to govern the faith and life of the Christian community. What’s in accord with Scripture is good. What contradicts Scripture must be rejected.Opposition in the Name of Fidelity The Protestant reformers, inspired with zeal for God’s word, went one step further. Under the banner of “sola scriptura” they proclaimed the Bible as the only infallible authority for Christians. That meant that both Tradition and Church authority could be opposed in the name of fidelity to Scripture. Funny thing, however: from the outset...

Introductions I am here because I am a convert to Catholicism from the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA). My going from the ECUSA to the Catholic Church was a long journey, filled with every emotion known to man. It was a journey measured in decades, not in weeks or months or years. Along the way, I had some help; the woman I would eventually marry, a priest to whom I would eventually make my first and darkest confession, a priest that eventually confirmed me, a sponsor who later became a deacon. A great many Episcopalians have recently started...

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 23, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican secretary of state who, beginning Sept. 15 will be Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, is "the Pope's first collaborator in the governance of the universal Church." This is the description made of the holder of this office in the Vatican's Web page, which presents the history and organization of the Secretariat of State. "The Secretariat of State," says the apostolic constitution "Pastor Bonus," "provides close assistance to the Supreme Pontiff in the exercise of his supreme office." The origins of the Secretariat of State go back to the 15th century. The apostolic constitution "Non...

This is more a story than an argument. It is in some ways a very personal story, and yet not without broader implications. It is just possible that some may discern in the story suggestions of an argument, even an argument about the nature of Lutheranism, and of Protestantism more generally.When in 1990 I was received by the late John Cardinal O’Connor into full communion with the Catholic Church—on September 8, the Nativity of Our Lady—I issued a short statement in response to the question Why. With Lutheran friends especially in mind, I said, "To those of you with whom...

Criminalizing the Good Samaritan 04/17/06 Except for the fact that she will very likely be the next Democratic Party candidate for the presidency, there is no reason to take seriously Hillary Clinton’s recent comment that House Bill 4437 on immigration “would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus Himself.” The Senator says what she says to position herself favorably for her presidential campaign. A year ago, she was on the radio in New York City proclaiming her determination to stop illegal immigration and punishing employers who hired undocumented workers. Why the difference between last year and this? We...

BAKER Oregon, February 21, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Robert Vasa, the Catholic bishop of the Oregon diocese of Baker, has written a letter to his diocesan newspaper clearly identifying the so-called “pro-choice” position among Catholics as a “heresy”. For decades, many Catholics have argued that “primacy of conscience” allows them to dissent from basic Church teaching, including the right to life, and still consider themselves “good Catholics.” He said he does not seek to justify “vigilante theology,”  and that the word needs to be applied with care, “but we do need strong words to combat erroneous and fallacious teaching.”“There is a...

Vatican City, Nov. 25, 2005 (CNA) - Pope Benedict, earlier today visited Rome’s Sacred Heart Catholic University, where he described and challenged faculty and students with his vision for a truly Catholic University--one that seeks to recover the synthesis between faith and reason.The university is currently celebrating the inauguration of its new academic year.Prior to the Pope's arrival, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general of the diocese of Rome celebrated Mass with students and faculty from the Milan, Brescia, Piacenza-Cremona, Campobasso and Rome branches of the university.The celebration began in earnest at 11.00 a.m. in the main hall of the "Agostino...

Salvation: Homemade or Vintage? Wine, being both beverage and nourishment, is (along with water) the perfect drink for human beings. In terms of savor, health benefit, and psychological effect, wine reigns as the king of cups at the finest tables in the world. Yet many people do not care for wine, citing its "bad taste" as the reason they do not partake. I have always suspected that for most oenophobes this distaste for the fruit of the vine is the result of a bad first impression. For many people, their first taste of wine comes as a child, when their...

Confraternity of Catholic Clergy 2005 Resolutions FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Members of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy at their 30th annual Convocation (August 1st – 5th, 2005) in Alhambra, CA, issued the following resolutions: 1. As loyal sons of the Church we pledge our total obedience, support and respect for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as he begins his pontificate. We honor the memory and legacy of his predecessor, Pope John Paul the Great and we pray that God will grant our new Holy Father good health and long life as the Vicar of Christ on earth. 2. We pray...

Baptist church 'fake pope' sign attracting attention, criticism By JEANNINE F. HUNTER, hunter@knews.com April 13, 2005 NEWPORT, Tenn. - Two days after being posted, a church marquee message that questions the purpose of the papacy is still attracting attention in this small community. "What I am trying to do is to let people know there's only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Cline Franklin, pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church. "There's no need for help. God sent his son, Jesus Christ. We're all priests if we're saved. I don't need to go to anybody else to pray."...

ROME - German-born Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a close advisor of Pope John Paul II, has issued a strong attack against "secular Europe", which he accuses of "decadence", "intolerance" towards Christians and ostracism towards God. In an interview published on Friday by the Italian daily La Repubblica, the cardinal speaks of a Europe that is living through a major transformation - from one based on Christian culture to an aggressive and at times intolerant (form of) secularism". "Secularism is no longer neutral," the cardinal said, it is beginning to transform itself into an ideology that imposes itself through politics and does...

Does the Bishops' voter guide confuse priorities of magisterial teaching? Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis October 28, 2004 Pope John Paul II, and the Bishops who teach in union with the Pope, [1] speak loud and clear what the church's priorities are for voting as a Catholic. They teach that one may not consider other human conditions without giving first predominant consideration of the five most important conditions of the right to life: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, cloning and same-sex marriage. In contrast, many 'faithful' Catholics [demographers call them 'church-attending Catholics'] as well as many 'devout' Catholics [those who...

A Letter of Bishop Fellay to Cardinal Castrillon Menzingen, Switzerland June 22, 2001 Most Eminent Lord, It is with my eyes fixed on the Sacred Heart, whose feast we celebrate today according to his own desire, that I implore, of His mercy, that it might deign to impregnate the lines that follow with His light and His charity. The Jesuit, Bishop Pierre Henrici, at the time secretary of Communio, said in a conference on the development of the Council that at Vatican II two theological traditions, that are deep down incomprehensible to one another, entered into collision. Your letter of...

Thomas Woods on "Cafeteria Catholic Bishops": Jewish Bishops Who Have No Intention of Trying to Convery Jews to Christianity. Pick your favorites, ignore the rest. Enough peculiar incidents have occurred within the Church during the past several weeks alone to vindicate the traditionalist argument many times over. Among the most dramatic was the recent appointment of the Benedictine abbot Jean-Baptiste Gourion as a bishop in Israel, where he will minister to the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community there. Bishop Gourion is a Jewish convert. Unfortunately, he shares much in common with the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger. Both are Jewish converts...

Two of the three documents/articles below were prepared within The Vatican. The first document/article focuses on the present day China's persecution of the Roman Catholic Church in China ( commonly referred to as China's "underground Catholic Church"). The second document/article quotes Cardinal Etchegaray, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He has frequently served as the Pope's diplomatic envoy. On 03 October 2003, he publicly denied the existence of a divide between the underground and Chinese government-recognized 'patriotic' Catholic Church. "There is only one Church with two faces," he said. "There is not one 'patriotic' Church and...

Dear Faithful, Unfortunately I have sad news to end the year. Some of you may have seen it on the Internet. Indeed Father Aulagnier, one of Archbishop Lefebvre’s first and closest companion in the resistance, assistant to the Superior General, founding district superior of the French district had to be expelled from the Society. Last September we were saddened by the interview of Father Aulagnier to the Wanderer. At first I thought of replying earlier but then decided to wait to see how this affair would end. This interview, along with an extended article published in French on his website...

ST. JOHN'S - The Archbishop of St. John's defended his censure of a local parish priest Monday, saying Father Paul Lundrigan's comments were unacceptable within the Catholic Church. In a sermon last week, Lundrigan challenged the Catholic Church's campaign against legalizing same-sex marriage. Lundrigan called the church hypocritical, criticizing it for fighting same-sex marriages while it remained silent about sexual abuse by clergy members. On Sunday, Archbishop Brendan O'Brien spoke to Lundrigan's two parishes. It is a priest's responsibility to deliver the church's official teachings, including any scripture-based position the church takes, O'Brien told them. But Lundrigan has shown repentance...