Day: September 7, 2012

Ceiling painting of Christ and his apostles

A quiet kind of Catholic lapsing.

There is a nearly invisible, a quiet kind of Catholic lapsing.  There are quiet “lapsers” among the lapsed Catholics who seem, on the surface, to be harmless. Many Americans, some of whom knew their Catholic, immigrant ancestors, were sent, at great expense, to Catholic schools.   Discipline and hard work let them excel when compared to […]
Ceiling painting of Christ and his apostles

Lapsed Catholics illustrate the self-weeding nature of the garden.

One kind of lapsed Catholic drops out and disappears.  Another kind lapses selectively.  They still go to Church, but “disagree” with many “old-fashioned ideas”. Other lapsed Catholics, in recent days another prominent Kennedy, will use their status as Catholics to attack Church positions they don’t like.  “Reproductive rights (abortion on demand) are under attack, and […]
Ceiling painting of Christ and his apostles

Is “The Shadow of Peter Theory” worth betting on?

The Church has frequently stated in Councils that the only people who can get to Heaven are Catholics who die in good standing with The Church. “Whew!” practicing Catholics say.  “Maybe I’ll make it!”  On reflection, they may wonder “What about my friends and family who aren’t Catholics in good standing with The Church?  Can […]
Ceiling painting of Christ and his apostles

Weekly Reading, Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday, September 9, 2012 Reading 1 Is 35:4-7a Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then […]