De mortuis nisi bonum. Let only what is good be said of the dead. This proverb reflects the respect that civilized societies have always had for the dead. The media have recently devoted much space to Pope Francis’s death—Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s death. One well-known Spanish newspaper called it a “social gale.” Order Today: Return to … Read more
The first part of this article explored some of the key themes of the First Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean, including its acerbic critique of ‘clericalism’ and presentation of synodality as a panacea, giving the laity a decisive role in Church governance, and accepting women into ordained ministries. In this second part, … Read more
“There is one God, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5.) “Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Lk 11:23.) “Without a doubt, they will perish forever, unless they hold the Catholic faith whole and inviolate.” (Symbol of Saint Athanasius) Pope Francis has taken advantage of his … Read more
At a time when the sexual revolution is at its height, and when fashions, laws, and customs favor the sin against chastity, we have a pope who is not showing indignation against those closely or remotely responsible for this situation but rather complains about those upholding Church doctrine and carefully defending the virtue. For the … Read more
The expression “a picture is worth a thousand words” means that multiple and complex ideas can be conveyed with a single image. Perhaps one could say that a video with audio, dialogue, and animations is worth a million words. That would be particularly true regarding the 83’ video recently released by Disney—a giant of the … Read more
“Buona Sera!”—“Good Evening!” With this commonplace greeting, devoid of any solemnity or unction, Francis addressed the thousands of faithful waiting in St. Peter’s Square for their newly-elected pope. These words set the style of his pontificate: informality, abandonment of protocol and disdain for ceremony. Ten years later, recently deceased Cardinal George Pell stated that this … Read more
Pope Francis has inaugurated a new kind of magisterium—media interviews. Amid relaxed conversations with journalists, he addresses complex doctrinal topics that require precision and clarity. “Talismanic Words” Journalists pick through his confusing expressions looking for soundbites to turn into headlines for their media outlets and then spread them worldwide. One could call these slogans “talismanic … Read more
On September 20, 2022, the Belgian-Flemish bishops’ released their “liturgy” for celebrating homosexual union ceremonies—a parody of real marriage. In a previous article,1 we wondered rhetorically whether Pope Francis would condemn the bishops’ homo-heresy. Order Today: Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society—Where We’ve Been, How We Got Here, and … Read more
On September 20 this year, the bishops of Flanders, Belgium, approved and published a liturgy to bless and celebrate the union of same-sex couples. A communiqué titled “Homosexual Persons Are Pastorally Close, for a Hospitable Church That Excludes No One”1 was signed by Cardinal Josef De Kesel of Mechelen-Brussels, Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp, Bishop … Read more
The Economy of Francesco is the name of a 2019 initiative created by Pope Francis to address the world’s economic problems. He invited “young economists, entrepreneurs and change-makers of the world” to participate in studies to explore new ideas to change how people and nations live and manage the economy. On September 24, 2022, Pope … Read more
