MONDAY EDITION
Pope Francis continues curial shakeup: suppresses Ecclesia Dei commission, moves Sistine Chapel Choir
The main issues facing the Vatican and the SSPX are doctrinal in nature, so it makes sense to have the principal organ for dialogue with the SSPX directly under the purview of the curial dicastery responsible for doctrine. ☩ Christopher Altieri of The Dispatch at The Catholic World Report
A Sermon of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Refuting Atheistic Materialism
Among his recorded sermons is one in which Dr. King addressed the problem of unbelief, of materialism and atheism. ☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission
Leah Libresco Builds the ‘Benedict Option’
New book encourages faith & fellowship. ☩ Patti Maguire Armstrong of National Catholic Register
Former vicar: the Vatican already knew about sexual abuse allegations against Argentine bishop
Rev. Juan Jose Manzano’s statement contradicts the Vatican’s recent claim that they had only gained knowledge of sexual abuse allegations against Zanchetta a few months ago. ☩ Catholic News Agency/EWTN News via The Catholic World Report
Abortion Affects Men, Too
The Abortion Haunts Me ☩ Jeffrey Stevens of Catholic Stand
INVOcell: A Catholic-friendly treatment for infertility?
A new fertility treatment has been described as more morally acceptable than IVF. But is it really? ☩ Sister Renée Mirkes of Catholic World Report
How this Episcopalian’s own book convinced him to become Catholic
☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report
Fake News: The Covington Catholic Episode
☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., of The American Catholic
Why the Royal College of Physicians will go ‘neutral’ on assisted suicide and why that matters
☩ Philippa Taylor of Mercatornet
Confronting the Bullies
The culture war drags on and Christians are in the crosshairs. Defending the faith and our right to present our case in the marketplace of ideas requires a sober analysis of our opponents’ strategies. ☩ Dale O'Leary of Crisis Magazine
Stigmaticus perfuga
Some readers are unfamiliar with this phrase. It was used by S Edmund Campion in his Rationes Decem, printed surreptitiously at Stonor House near here and as surreptitiously put on all the seats to be picked up by the University as it gathered for the Act in June 1581. . . ☩ Fr. John Hunwicke of Fr Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment
Former Catholics at the Dinner Table
The family celebrations are over. The guests are gone, and we are getting back to the daily routines of life. Among Catholics celebrating Christmas or Easter with family, a fair number share it with former Catholics each year. ☩ Dom Cingoranelli of Catholic Stand
Rumors of the death of detente with traditionalists may be exaggerated
As expected, Pope Francis on Saturday formally abolished the “Ecclesia Dei” commission, ending its over thirty-year run as the Vatican’s primary forum for relations with the Society of St. Pius X, founded by the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and the broader traditionalist galaxy in the Church. ☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux
Civilization in Crisis
As future Pope Karol Wojtyla prophesied when visiting the United States in 1976, “We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, between the Gospel and the anti-Gospel, between Christ and the anti-Christ.” ☩ Marcus Allen Steele
New book addresses key questions about Church’s teaching authority
“The impact of the Magisterium is powerfully felt today,” says apologist Jimmy Akin, author of Teaching With Authority, “as illustrated by stories constantly appearing in the media about what popes & bishops have said.“ ☩ Paul Senz of The Catholic World Report
Church & State
A question was recently put to me about the complicated issue of the separation of Church and State in America. What is a Catholic supposed to do when the government decrees laws that are utterly contrary to Church teaching? ☩ Dale Ahlquist of Faith & Culture
NFP: Hard Truths & Good Fruits
☩ Sophie Caldecott of Humanum
Can Catholics Enjoy Alcohol?
☩ Kathy Schiffer of National Catholic Register
We Belong to Each Other
☩ Erin Cain of Ignitum Today
Homeschooling a parent’s choice, not the state’s
☩ Fr. Robert Sirico of Powerblog
When Sex Becomes Cheap
☩ Fr. D. Paul Sullins, Ph.D., of Humanum