Skip to main content
If you are planning a trip to Rome to see Pope Francis anytime soon, you should grab a copy of Joan Lewis's book A Holy Year in Rome. Joan gives you the inside scoop on all things Catholic. Listening to her on EWTN radio this morning, she shared that when the Pope comes and goes from Rome, he stops at a specific church and prays. Insider tips like that can make all the difference in a trip to Rome. Also wanted to clarify that some of the media distributed a story saying that Pope Francis said that bishops do not have to report allegations of child abuse. That is actually the complete opposite of what he said. Cardinal O'Malley, head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which Pope Francis set up in 2014, said "Our obligations under civil law must certainly be followed, but even beyond these civil requirements, we all have a moral and ethical responsibility to report suspected abuse to the civil authorities who are charged with protecting our society. Every year at our November meeting, at a training session for new bishops, this obligation is reaffirmed," he said, adding: "And every other February the conference runs a second training program for new bishops, which also clearly and explicitly includes this obligation."

Popular posts from this blog

Praying With The Five Wounds Of Jesus

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Fisherman to Foremen: Peter’s First Act as Shepherd

In the immediate aftermath of the Ascension, we see a profound transformation in Peter, moving from the impulsive fisherman who once fled in the garden to the courageous shepherd of the early Church. By standing up in the heart of Jerusalem to deliver his first great "sermon" at Pentecost, Peter is not merely offering an inspired speech; he is stepping into the primordial role of the Papacy. He was specifically commissioned by Christ on the shores of Galilee to "feed my sheep," and here we see that nourishment take the form of the Word. He takes control of a frightened and confused community, providing the definitive interpretation of the Resurrection and anchoring the fledgling Church in the truth of the Gospel. This moment in the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that the authority of Peter was never about personal power, but about the sacred duty of unity and guidance. By taking the lead in the upper room and before the crowds, Peter demonstrates that the "key...
Post a Comment
Read more

Just War and the Gospel: How Christ and the Catholic Church Define Moral Conflict

The Catholic understanding of a just war begins not with violence, but with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who calls His followers to love their enemies, seek peace, and act with mercy. In passages such as the Sermon on the Mount, Christ elevates forgiveness and reconciliation as the highest ideals of Christian life. At first glance, this seems to stand in tension with the idea that war could ever be morally justified. Yet the Church, drawing from both Scripture and reason, acknowledges that in a fallen world marked by sin, evil can threaten the innocent in ways that demand a response. Rooted in Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor, the just war tradition insists that any use of force must ultimately serve the protection of human life and the restoration of peace. Over centuries, theologians such as St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas helped articulate the moral framework that guides Catholic teaching on war. Their insights, later developed in the Catechism of the Cathol...
Post a Comment
Read more