De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Pope Francis seems to be an enigma to some people. Many journalists who are no friends of the Catholic Church praise him and claim he is likely to change Church Doctrine on Christian Marriage because of some of his remarks to journalists - which are then selectively quoted (especially the "Who am I to judge" remark). But he also says that he is a faithful son of the Church. His faithfulness and orthodoxy were reiterated to me by Cardinal Pell when I met him at Buckfast earlier this month for the foundation Mass and celebrations for the School of The Annunciation. Those who are campaigning to change the Church's teaching on Marriage, Homosexuality, Abortion and Contraception perhaps need to be aware of the following: 1. Letter of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, to the Carmelite Nuns of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires (June 22, 2010) asking for their prayers and sacrifices against the Argentinian Same Sex "Marriage" Law ...

The main criticisms I have heard aimed at Pope Francis seem largely motivated by a love and concern for the liturgical reform instigated by Pope Benedict. I cannot help but wonder whether this constitutes a somewhat insular concern in that, 1. I think it is very early to be making any judgements and 2. although many of us loved what we saw Pope Benedict trying to gently do, most people didn't even notice, or understand. We can learn much about Pope Benedict's papacy by reflecting on this I think and I have to wonder who was actually switched on to what he was doing liturgically and theologically. I know I have enjoyed discussing and teasing out lots of the little signs and symbols he has given us over the course of his papacy, and I have been deeply enriched as a result. But I have engaged in a lot of defence and a lot of explanation as well. I want to continue a discussion began here because I don't want anyone to mistake my points therein as criticisms or even dis...

The Jesuit order: the Society of Jesus are a proud Counter-Reformation Order known colloquially as "God's Marines", in reference to their founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola's military background as well as members' willingness to accept orders anywhere in the world and live in extreme conditions. St. Ignatius founded the society after being wounded in battle and experiencing a religious conversion. He composed the Spiritual Exercises to help others follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. In 1534, Ignatius and six other young men, including St. Francis Xavier and Bl. Pierre Favre, gathered and professed vows of poverty, chastity, and later obedience, including a special vow of obedience to the Pope .  Rule 13 of Ignatius' Rules for Thinking with the Church said: "That we may be altogether of the same mind and in conformity[...], if [the Church] shall have defined anything to be black which to our eyes appears to be white, we ought in like manner to ...