De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

In this episode we talk about the public response a number of US bishops have made to deeply problematic statements made by Pope Francis' new US Cardinal, Robert McElroy. We also look at the CofE vote to develop prayers for blessing couples in same sex "marriages" (from a sacramental perspective, proper Marriage can only be contracted between a man and a woman, so whatever a same sex couple are, it can't be "married" because they can't be open to life). This has caused enormous controversy throughout the communion and a great deal of pain on all sides. Those who support the measure feel it is insulting that some piecemeal approach has failed to properly embrace same sex relationships. Those against feel it is irreconcilable with Christian teaching.  We also look at reports emerging from the Isle of Man where "Drag Queen story time" has caused a huge controversy. Meanwhile, in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has stepped down as SNP leader. Has this b...

Rorate caeli recently posted an insider report  which purports to represent the present climate inside the Vatican walls. The main inference of the report is that Pope Francis is not well liked by anyone; "neither by bishops, nor by priests, nor by the faithful." Having lived through ten years of this papacy, Mandatums with Muslim prisoners, Pachamamma worship in the Vatican gardens, the numerous abuse scandals and now, especially, following Tradiones custodes and the subsequent clarifications and corrections, I must admit to having some sympathy with this idea. I honestly cannot believe that we are living in a time when the priority for the pope is to shut down liturgy and the sacraments, to kick faithful Catholics out of their churches. Despite the awfulness of the situation, I find it hard to believe he doesn't have fans. There seem to be plenty of people who do really like him, even if, in my experience, these people are ignorant of the faith or looking to change it...

Yesterday saw an extraordinary development in the USA when Bishop Thomas Paprocki, bishop of Springfield, Illinois, and chairman-elect of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance had an essay published in First Things which did everything except publicly name Cardinal Robert McElroy & Cardinal Blaise Cupich as heretics. The First Things essay did not mention McElroy by name, but it cited directly a Jan. 24 essay in America magazine from Cardinal Robert McElroy , which argued that the Church should “embrace a eucharistic theology that effectively invites all of the baptized to the table of the Lord.” McElroy said the Church should discard “a theology of eucharistic coherence that multiplies barriers to the grace and gift of the eucharist.” “Unworthiness cannot be the prism of accompaniment for disciples of the God of grace and mercy,” McElroy wrote, in a text quoted by Paprocki. A number of U.S. bishops have responded...

Check out this brilliant Pastoral Letter from His Excellency Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois, Given at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois, on June 22, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi and the Feast Day of Saints Sir Thomas More and John Cardinal Fisher, this year (2014). In it, he investigates the work of Vatican II in continuity with the Tradition of the Church, and sets out a plan for moving forward in an inspiring and attractive way. This is a mandate for growth! In it, Bishop Paprocki makes the following interesting observations: We must seek to be found fully aware of our actions in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament lest we fail to pay him the homage that is due him. This desire to come and adore the Lord must flow also into everything that pertains to the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist. (no. 12). The primary way to foster the participation of the People of God in the sacred rite is the ...