De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki has described Cardinal Robert McElroy's theology as heretical. Is that accusation justified? In a landmark address to the Outreach Conference with Fr James Martin, Cardinal McElroy presents a vision of mercy, doctrine and human sexuality that many believe represents a decisive departure from Catholic tradition. Rev. Dr Stephen Morgan subjects McElroy's arguments to careful theological scrutiny, drawing on Newman, Benedict XVI and Veritatis Splendor to expose the fault lines in his reasoning and to ask whether what is being proposed is genuine development or something far more radical? Read Morgan's outstanding piece in full at Catholic Unscripted

Incredible news is breaking in America regarding the replacement for the retiring bishop of Washington, D.C., the capital see of the United States. Cardinal Robert McElroy, a figure who ranks as one of the most openly heterodox bishops in the country, has been chosen for this significant position. This appointment is already generating widespread controversy and dismay among faithful Catholics and clergy. It is not only my perspective that McElroy's theological views are problematic; several other U.S. bishops share this concern. His appointment as cardinal was surprising in the first place, as he was elevated from the Diocese of San Diego rather than from a more prominent archdiocese such as Los Angeles. Traditionally, archdioceses like Los Angeles, the largest in the United States, are more likely sources for new cardinals. Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, a staunchly orthodox bishop, has been repeatedly overlooked by Pope Francis, further intensifying criticism of McElroy...

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...

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...

  Today sees another intervention from Bishop Robert Barron, just home from a very successful trip to London arranged by Brenden Thompson at Catholic Voices and his team. I was fortunate enough to attend one of the events and have a chat with the bishop, the second time I have met him. Anyway, this is Barron's second intervention on the Synod, the first I reported here . This one would appear to be a response to the extremely muddled essay written in America Magazine by now Cardinal McElroy about radical inclusion, which calls on the Synod process to change Church teaching on a number of issues; sexual morality in particular, but also dropping 1 Cor 11:27 and having an open table communion for all baptised Catholics...A dangerous misrepresentation of centuries of Catholic teaching about how grace works. His argument is that we over emphasise sexual sins over other serious issues....So he seems to be arguing that because we don't classify, say, domestic violence as a mortal s...