Free Republic

A French priest with a history of campaigning against gay rights faces a Catholic Church trial over allegations that he sexually assaulted men to “heal” their homosexuality. Msgr. Tony Anatrella, a Vatican adviser and psychotherapist, will stand trial in church court after multiple allegations of abuse and inappropriate sexual relationships with his male clients, per the National Catholic Reporter.

In the history of Roman Catholic dogma, one can trace an evolution in the theory of tradition. There were two fundamental patristic principles which governed the early Church's approach to dogma. The first was sola Scriptura in which the fathers viewed Scripture as both materially and formally sufficient. It was materially sufficient in that it was the only source of doctrine and truth and the ultimate authority in all doctrinal controversies. It was necessary that every teaching of the Church as it related to doctrine be proven from Scripture. Thomas Aquinas articulated this patristic view when he stated that canonical...

Ann Nardelli has been a Catholic Democrat her entire life. Her father was one before her. And she couldn't imagine a day where that wouldn't be true. But that day was Wednesday of last week. I read a story about Jo Ann leaving the Democratic Party and was interested because she cited her Catholic faith as the reason. So I gave her a call. I got her machine and as I was leaving a message she picked up. She said she'd been screening her calls because so many people have been calling to say nasty things to her or just...

Catholics who believe a purifying fire will purge away their sins are deluded victims of a fatal fabrication. The invention of a place for purification of sins called Purgatory is one of the most seductive attractions of the Roman Catholic religion. Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church described this deceptive hoax brilliantly. He said: "Purgatory is what makes the whole system work. Take out Purgatory and it's a hard sell to be a Catholic. Purgatory is the safety net, when you die, you don't go to hell. You go [to Purgatory] and get things sorted out and finally get...

this is a vanity thread, i'm attending a seminar and conference next week on cultural divisions between eastern and western europe, and i think this issue will come up. to be honest my knowledge regarding the theological issues involved in the scism is zero, and although i know that some temporal issues were involved, my understanding is that it was a theological dispute that caused the scism. obviously i'm looking at a number of sources to help me with this 'bitesize' research, but if anyone on this site can help me achieve a basic understanding i'd be very grateful. ps....

Growing number of Protestants taking a closer look at Mary Kevin Eckstrom - Religion News Service Saturday, December 7, 2002 Beverly Roberts Gaventa had never thought much about the Virgin Mary. She was, after all, a Presbyterian who was rather suspicious of all the attention lavished on the mother of Jesus. So when she was asked to help edit a book about Mary, Gaventa at first declined. ''I can't do that,'' she said. ''I'm a Protestant.'' But the more she explored Mary, the more Gaventa grew to like her. As a mother, Gaventa found a maternal kinship. As a Christian,...