De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Edward Pentin reports that Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has spoken out regarding Cardinal Pell's conviction saying allegations that led to Pell’s conviction are “absolutely unbelievable” and “without proof,”. Cardinal Müller also said the conviction is “absolutely against all reason and justice” and resembles an understanding of justice going back to the time of King Henry VIII. “Like everyone else, I cannot see the culpability,” Cardinal Müller told the National Catholic Register March 4. As former prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy from 2014 to 2019 and effectively the Vatican’s treasury minister, Cardinal Pell was the third most senior figure in the Vatican. He is the most senior Church figure to have ever been convicted for sexual abuse. “Nobody witnessed it,” Cardinal Müller noted, and said that he could not believe it could happen with “all the other persons” probably present after Mass. The German ca...

Edward Pentin reports in The National Catholic Register that  Cardinal Raymond Burke has sought to explain the essence of the deep spiritual crisis facing the Church and the world i n a wide-ranging and timely address. Most invaluably, he recognises the distress felt by many Catholics  and offered pastoral suggestions and encouragement to the faithful on how to deal with it. Stressing that Christ’s teachings do not change, he gave 10 ways to deal with the crisis: Study the Catechism more attentively and be prepared to defend the Church’s teaching; Recall the “many edifying signs” of fidelity to Christ among “many good and steadfast faithful, priests and bishops”; Have recourse to the Blessed Virgin Mary, imitate the oneness of her heart with Jesus; Invoke frequently, “throughout the day,” the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel as there is “definitely diabolical involvement in the ever spreading confusion, division and error within the Church”; Pray to St. ...

This is a really interesting piece in the National Catholic Register well worth reading, especially for those who are concerned that Pope Francis' liturgical style contrasts somewhat with that of his predecessor.  As I have written previously , Pope Francis is not Pope Benedict, nor could he be. His background is very different and his life experiences have no doubt tempered his essential understanding of the efficacious nature of a life lived in relationship with Jesus Christ. The spiritual backdrop of South America is fascinating, and something I know precious little about (although I am reading about it now). Certainly the faith is vibrant and lived out with real integrity, although it perhaps could be said that it faces different challenges. In Europe and the West, we might consider apathy and atheism the great challenge of our time, whereas in South America, there is an undeniable social dimension, along with the challenge wrought by a vibrant and growing evangelical move...