Religion

Whither traditionalist Catholicism? One answer is that if God thinks it’s good it’ll end up doing OK, and if He doesn’t it won’t. It’s also possible to view the thing from a strictly human standpoint, though. And from the latter standpoint traditionalism does have certain strengths:

1. Since tradition incorporates the whole Church throughout the ages,

A good article by John Rao: “Why Catholics Cannot Defend Themselves: The Religious and Cultural Suicide of a Conquered People”. Or at least one that’s helpful to me. Before I was a Catholic I wrote a couple of things on liberalism and pluralism that are in line with Dr. Rao’s views, but he develops … More ...

I’ve started praying the Rosary and already there are issues! It seems to me that the Pope’s new luminous mysteries are less personal and connected than the others. They don’t seem to tell the story from Mary’s viewpoint quite as much. Maybe I’ll stick with the oldies until I hit my stride and then try … More ...

Political tendencies, theological tendencies and ecclesiastical position often seem to go together. Here are some very sketchy — and not particularly spiritual — thoughts:

1. Liberal Catholics are usually political liberals as well. They include many Church functionaries — academics, theologians, religious educators and other members of the “New Class” (described briefly here). That’s

The relation between Christianity and politics is always going to be unsettled. Christ wasn’t married, didn’t own anything or live anywhere, didn’t join any organizations, turned down worldly power as a temptation of the devil, and believed in giving their due to God and Caesar. In spite of all that he got himself executed as … More ...

I was received into the Church and confirmed this morning at St. Patrick’s in New York.

Only 5 days to go until I am received and confirmed. Naturally, I don’t feel ready for it—it’s not the sort of thing one can feel up to. Still, I can’t imagine doing otherwise.

After I’m received Metanoia will change somewhat. Up to now it’s been thoughts about conversion to Catholicism. After I’m received I’ll … More ...

It is a requirement of human freedom and dignity that Catholic doctrine be understood as true, unchanging and publicly knowable. To the extent doctrine is settled and knowable, to be a Catholic is not to subject oneself to the rule of priests but to live intelligently in the world. Doctrine then plays a part (speaking … More ...

I just made the rounds of the blogs of those who have dropped by and left comments and must say I was impressed by the energy, intelligence and good writing. I especially liked Theist on Augustine and Aquinas and Jeff Culbreath’s discussion of “modernist tendencies”. It’s good to have a standard to live up … More ...