Big Pulpit

The Diocese of Brentwood Abandons the Catechism, Endorses Sin –

by Mark Lambert,

of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Archdiocese of San Francisco Promotes Pro-LGBT Propaganda – Joseph Sciambra
Dinosaur Media Attack on Catholics Who Uphold Faith & Morals – Fr. Z’s Blog
‘Dictator Pope’ Author Expelled from Order of Malta – Dan Hitchens, Catholic Herald
Gay Activists Sink an Australian Bridal Magazine – Michael Cook, Mercatornet
“Islam, What Every Infidel Should Know”, My Talk Given at Steubenville – Steve Ray, CDtF
Pope Francis, 3 Signs of How the Curial Reform is Taking Shape – A. Gagliarducci, Mndy Vtcn
More Jesuit Antics in That ‘Caput Malorum Omnium’ the Church in Germany – Fr. Z’s Blog
Watchdogs & Wolves – Anthony M. Esolen Ph.D., Crisis Magazine
Quæritur: Could Latin be Suppressed? Wherein Fr. Z Rants – Fr. Z’s Blog
Making Sense of the USCCB Fall Assembly & Its Aftermath – Christopher R. Altieri, The CWR
What’s Behind the Dramatic Rise in 3-Generation Households? – N. Pilkauskas, Mercatornet
Catholic Dating in a Throw Away Culture – Brianna Arambula, Catholic Exchange
Some Curious Results In World Poverty Rates; With Update – William M. Briggs Ph.D.
Bronze Age Smarties – Carlos Caso-Rosendi
Rejoice This Advent: Off the Shelf with Fr. Mark Toups – Pete Socks, Catholic Stand
NLM Exclusive: Interview with Early Music Composer Elam Rotem – Pet. A. Kwasniewski Ph.D.
Once Homeless, Woman Now Part of Edmonton Parish’s Outreach to the Poor – Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Abortion Will End When It Loses Its Cool

. . .suddenly, abortion was what the cool girls were doing.  Almost overnight, even in the midst of the Vietnam War, the casualties shifted from strangers killing strangers, to mothers killing their own children.  In the U.S. alone, 60 million mothers have made that awful choice to kill their own children, 10 times the number of Jews killed in Hilter’s Holocaust.  What changed?  The mass media message targeting women. . .

by Carrie Gress, Ph.D.,

of Off The Cuff
via Helena Daily

An Abomination Of Desolation – Rod Dreher
Finally: A Decent Mainstream News Article about the Southern Poverty Law Center – Jul. Duin
Transgender Totalitarianism – Rod Dreher
Why Michelle Obama is Wrong about IVF – Dustin Siggins, The Catholic World Report
Transphobia: Word Created by Fascists Used by Cowards to Manipulate Morons – FrHunwicke
The Horrifying Story Of America’s Opioid Crisis & The Cartels Behind It – The Federalist
I Am a Single Issue Voter, You Should Be Too – Rob Schwarzwalder, The Stream
How We are Turning Politics Into Religion, Again – David Quinn, Mercatornet
Hamilton: The Problem Child Founding Father – Don. R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Gettysburg Addresses – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Why We Need a Better Way to Measure Poverty – Joe Carter, Acton Institute
Bondage: The Red/Blue Divide in State Borrowing – Steven Malanga, City Journal Magazine
T.S. Eliot, Populist – Robert C. Koons, First Things
How Al Smith & FDR Countered the KKK & Anti-Catholic Prejudice in Politics – Aleteia
4 Ways Protestants Approach the Government (Video) – Fr. Ben Johnson, Transatlantic Blog
Why Teen Suicide Is Lower in States That Have More School Choice – Kerry McDonald, FEE
Podcast: How Religion Sustains The West’s Democratic Ideals – The Federalist
Religious Liberty Seen as Key to Societal Advancement Around the World – Kurt Jensen, Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Top 9 Most Prestigious Catholic Universities/Colleges in the U.S.

. . .If you grew up in a Catholic household or attended a Catholic secondary school, then a Catholic university will feel familiar.  Besides familiarity, Catholic universities offer many other advantages for the young faithful student.  Many emphasize service to others, Mass, & a structured environment, as well as traditional scholarly pursuits. . .

by Laurel Whitworth,

of Catholic Lane

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Newest Seminarians for San Bernardino Diocese – California Catholic Daily
4 Incredible Pieces of Catholic Restoration Art to Remind You of the Eucharist – epicPew
This Powerful Prayer by St. Faustina is Perfect for the Church in Crisis – ChurchPOP
Weaving the Liturgical Year Into the Fabric of Family Life – Catherine Harmon, The CWR
Churches Worth Driving To – California Catholic Daily
The Saints On Purgatory & Hope in the Afterlife – Fr. Joseph M. Esper, Catholic Exchange
Does God Care How We Worship? – Brian Holdsworth, uCatholic
Heroic Priests: Lest We Forget – Tom Collingwood, Catholic Stand
Why This Princess Chose the Poor, Service & Charity Over Wealth & Her Crown – ChurchPOP
Can My Care, Be Considered a Prayer? – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
The Final Judgment: Readings for the 33rd Sunday of OT Explained – John Bergsma Ph.D.
Beautiful Newly-Made Vestments at the Catholic Arts Exhibition – New Liturgical Movement
Tradition is for the Young: A New Regular TLM in Mississippi – New Liturgical Movement
Sudan Christians Released after Arrest, Torture for Converting from Islam – The C. World Rprt
Sacristy Tips: Constructing a Catafalque for the Requiem Mass – Liturgical Arts Journal
Only Religion Could have Inspired the Beauties of Venice – Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald
St. Giuseppe Moscati: A Holy Doctor – Louis Merrie, Catholic Exchange
What Makes a “Holiday”? A Theory of Festivity – Joe Heschmeyer, Shameless Popery
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Why Homosexualists Hate Papa Ratzinger So Much

. . .Fr. John Hunwicke has at his place a thoughtful piece about why some people hate Papa Ratzinger so very much.  I think he has it right.  He reposted some items which still hold up. . .

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Fr. C. Martins: I’m Not Expressing Political Opinions, I’m Expressing Moral Opinions – RCM
Five Biblical Lists of Mortal Sins – Msgr. Charles Pope, Community in Mission
No One Lives on a Bridge: How to Accompany Those With Same-Sex Attraction – Fr Bochanski
The Future of American Sexuality & Family: Five Key Trends – Mark Regnerus Ph.D., Pub Dis
We Need to Take the Dangers of Pornography Seriously – Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith Ph.D., CH
Eastern Prelate Urges ‘Prudence’ on Married Priests – John L. Allen Jr. & Ines San Martin, Crux
Britain Rediscovers the Rosary – Simon Caldwell, Catholic Herald
Were the Bereans “Bible Alone”? – Steve Ray, Defenders of the Catholic Faith
The Chinese Social Monitoring System & Why Americans Should Take Note – Mercatornet
Russell Kirk: Convert & Catholic – Bradley J. Birzer, The Catholic World Report
A Decade of Acceleration & Resentment: Cultural Impact of Ideology of Equality – R.J. Snell
The Attacks on Nigeria’s Christians Continue – Jeremy Weber, Christianity Today
#IGiveCatholic – The Digital Wave That’s Raising Millions – Brice Sokolowski, Cthlc Fundraiser
What are the Symbols of the Four Evangelists? – Fr. William Saunders, Catholic Exchange
6 Ways to Wear Heels Without Biting the Dust – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
Theology of the Body & Digital Media – Sister Helena Burns, Hell Burns
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

That Time a Demon Invaded the Confessional, & a Porn Addict was Released

. . .a couple days later after the incident in the confessional, Rob went to see him.  Turns out he was the diocesan exorcist.  “I sensed something strange was going on in there,” the priest told him.  “I prayed a minor exorcism over you”. . .

by Stephen Mirarchi,

of epicPew

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Something Happened in Baltimore Today, It Was Heroic, Watch! – Fr. Richard Heilman, RCM
A Catholic Bishop Not Recognized by the Gov’t of Communist China Arrested – Mar. Respinti
Elder Resisted Euthanasia, Family Held Her Down; Now Dr. Under Investigation – X. Symons
The Error That “Funerals Are for the Living, Not the Dead” – J.M. Grondelski Ph.D., NC Register
NFL’s Philip Rivers Inspires All With Latin Phrase – J.P. Mauro, Aleteia
I Would Rather Be Cleaned – Janet Meyer, Catholic Stand
Queering Science – Mark Regenerus Ph.D., First Things
Where Angels Fear to Tread: The Fraud of Transgenderism – Babette Francis & Jn. Ballantyne
How to Refute Moral Relativism – Karlo Broussard, Catholic Answers Magazine
Introduction to the Theology of the Mass (Essence & Delivery) – David L. Gray, DavidLGray.info
Is the Church in Spain in Danger of Losing Part of Its Real Estate? – Francesco Paloni, Crux
Why the U.S. Bishops Strongly Backed an Anti-Racism Pastoral Letter – CNA via The CWR
Harvard Students Hold Catholic Sex Week to Explain Church Teaching – CNA via The CWR
Getting Formation Right – Fr. Thomas V. Berg, First Things
The Church in Northeastern India Has Grown in Surprising Ways – John Burger, Aleteia
On Subsidiarity – Pope Pius XI, The Catholic Thing
Kendra Tierney Interview, Author of The Catholic All Year Compendium – Favorite Cthlc Things
Pakistani Christians, an Embattled Minority – Associated Press via Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Jim Martin’s Favorite Catholic LGBT Ministry Reading Book about Two Abused Boys Who Begin a Homosexual Relationship

. . .the book tells the story of two very different 16-year old boys, Jim & Doyler.  With the backdrop of political & social upheaval in early 20th century Ireland, these two wayward & abused young men begin a friendship that eventually results in intimate relations.  While Jim is naive & shy, Doyler is more outgoing.  Jim attends a Catholic school where one of his teachers is a religious named “Brother Polycarp.” According to one reviewer, “Jim is too innocent to realise how he is being groomed by Brother Polycarp.”  In the meantime, the more streetwise Doyler meets an older gay man who pays the teenage boy for. . .

by Joseph Sciambra

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Heads Will Roll! A New “You Won’t Believe Your Eyes Ugly” Altar – Fr. Z’s Blog
Incredible Painting Depicting Face of Jesus Found in Ruins of Ancient Israeli Church – uCthlc
Millennials, Authenticity, & the Latin Mass – Jake Neu, Crisis Magazine
St. Louis Ballerina Raffaella Stroik’s Body Found in Mark Twain Lake – Doyle Murphy, RFT
Fr. Zed Muses on Millennials, Authenticity, & the Latin Mass – Fr. Z’s Blog
Synodality Up in Smoke, Exercises of Pontifical Monarchy in the U.S. & China – San. Magister
Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo Criticized for $200,000 House Renovation – The CWR
We Need to Think More Like Jesus; Dr. Ray Guarendi Book Review – Pt. Socks, Catholic Stand
Albertus Magnus – Amy Welborn, Charlotte Was Both
Powerful Pieta – Kat Larson, Ignitum Today
The Value of Black as a Liturgical Colour – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
The United Nations Seeks to Define Abortion & Assisted Suicide as a ‘Human Right’ – Crux
Cause of Fr. Pedro Arrupe ‘to Open in February’ – Cindy Wooden, Catholic Herald
How Does a Saint become “the Great”? – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Perhaps No One Shows Better the Faith-Science Alliance Than St. Albert the Great – Aleteia
Despite Asia Bibi’s Historic Acquittal, Pakistan’s Catholic Leaders Remain Silent – NCRegister
Rembrandt’s Biblical Works on Display in Denver – John Burger, Aleteia
Don’t Let Fear & Scandal Kill Charity – Constance T. Hull, Catholic Exchange
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Standing Athwart History: Can We Stop the Decline of the West?

. . .that Western culture is in an advanced state of decay is, but a consciousness of this decay goes back further than many people are probably aware.  In his 1997 book The Idea of Decline in Western History, historian Arthur Herman reveals the many phases of declinism in Western thought dating all the way back to the aftermath of the French Revolution.  (Around that time, the German writer Friedrich Schlegel went so far as to suggest that the atrocities of the Reign of Terror signaled that the “drama of human history” was drawing to a close.)  The thrust of Mr. Herman’s book is that declinism & decline theory poisoned Western thought, & decline became a self-fulfilling prophecy.  He treats the history of cultural pessimism from a variety of angles: industrialization, racial pessimism, & eco-pessimism are among them.  One motif that struck a chord with me is the idea that “material comfort & opulence have drained away all creativity & life” from the West—a theme that emerged with the onset of the Industrial Revolution & the Romantic movement & that still resonates today. . .

by Michael De Sapio

How Islamist Immigration Changes Britain: Asia Bibi Denied Entry – Douglas Murray
Islamicized Britain – Rod Dreher
Mothers Against Macron – Joy Pullman, First Things
Revisiting Harvey Milk, Jim Jones, & San Francisco’s 10 Days of Violence – Kyle Sammin, TF
Half the World’s Countries are Not Reproducing Themselves – Marcus Roberts, Mercatornet
Sweden’s Ambivalence on Immigration – Fredrik Sixtensson & Tom Gunnarsson, Amrcn Affairs
British Muslim Leaders Call for the U.K. To Give Asia Bibi Asylum – Zelda Caldwell, Aleteia
Everyone in the West Should Be Concerned About Asia Bibi – Charlotte Gill, Telegraph
Appeasing Islamists Will Only Make Europe More Dangerous – Helen Raleigh, The Federalist
Camps for Uyghurs, “Schools” Or Jails? Exclusive Report, Photos, & Footage – Li Zaili, BW
Will China’s Neighbors Speak Out on Its Uyghur Issues? – Sarah Brooks, The Diplomat
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

School Punishes Male Teacher for Refusing to Watch a Naked Girl in the Boys’ Locker Room

. . .a Florida school district allowed a self-described transgender female student access to the boys’ locker room, with no warning to parents.  The first time she walked in, she caught ‘boys (literally) with their pants down’. . .

by Joy Pullman

of The Federalist

Is There a Charity “Crisis”? – James Pierson & Naomi Schaefer Riley, City Journal
Lawyer Who Falsely Accused Brett Kavanaugh Arrested for Domestic Violence – Life News
Senator Sasse’s Missing Pronouns – John Horvat II, Crisis Magazine
Another Night in Portland – Andy Ngo, City Journal
Kamala Harris Lied about Brett Kavanaugh, Now Says Politics Needs “More Truth” – Life Nws
The Bladensburg Cross Defended, by a Muslim – Daniel Philpott, arc of the universe
The Rich Turn to the Democrats – Darel E. Paul, First Things
Is This How the Freedom Caucus Ends? – Matthew Walther, The Week
Ireland: Pro-Life Legislator Quits Party for Suspending Him for Voting Pro-Life – M. Bilger
Mormon Political Grip on Utah May Be Loosening – Jana Riess, RNS via Salt Lake Tribune
6 Big Election Hits by Marc Elias, Democrats’ Recount King – Fred Lucas, The Stream
Florist Case Reopens Before Washington Supreme Court – CNA via National Catholic Register
Let’s Unite Around Jesus, Not Divide Over Trump – Michael Brown Ph.D., The Stream
Christian Student Senator Should be Cheered for Standing Up for Her Faith – Daniel Payne
In the State Elections, Pro-Life Victories Amid Enduring Divisions – S. Beale, NC Register
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Bishop’s Job

. . .the Bishop is Submitted & Sent.  St. Paul writes to Titus, Paul, a slave of God & apostle of Jesus Christ . . .

by Monsignor Charles Pope,

of Community in Mission

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Oscar Wilde: “Gay” Icon or “Homophobe”? – Joseph Pearce
Discos in the Vatican? The Church Can Do Better Than This – Fr. Dominic Allain, Catholic Herald
Quæritur: If I am in the State of Mortal Sin, is There Any Point in Praying? – Fr. Z’s Blog
The Legends of Liberalism – P.J. Smith, Semiduplex
How Rembrandt Portrayed Jesus – Carmen Elena Villa, Denver Catholic
The “Igloo Church” of the Arctic was Built to Last – Zelda Caldwell, Aleteia
Desiring Human Respect Can Lead to Hell – Jason Craig, Those Catholic Men
Stubborn Roots: A Review of Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh – P.J. Prezzia, Crisis Mgzn
From the Papal Chapel: the White Silk Soutane – J.P. Sonnen, Liturgical Arts Journal
Helping You Decide Between College & the Skilled Trades – Nick Marmalejo, Seton Magazine
Quæritur: “Properly Blessed” Devotional Objects – Fr. Z’s Blog
Was St. Brendan the First to Celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass in America? – Ph. Kosloski, Aleteia
The Art of Portable Altars – J.P. Sonnen, Liturgical Arts Journal
The Contemplative Life: Joy in Parentheses – Richard Becker, Catholic Exchange
Are Artists Selfish? The Calling of a Catholic Artist – Mary Schaffer, Benedictine XVI Institute
Is a Seton Diploma an Indicator of Success in College? – Seton Magazine
Pope Francis to Visit Morocco in 2019 – Hannah Brockhaus, CNA via National Catholic Register
Prayer for Christian Unity Through the Intercession of St. Josaphat – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The “Gold Standard” Returns; Amid Abuse Mess, Pope Francis Restores Archbishop Charles Scicluna to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)

. . .especially as yesterday’s Vatican move to nix the US bishops’ votes on several crisis-spurred reforms had the effect of detonating an ecclesial bomb of confusion & outrage, this Tuesday’s latest salvo from Rome is all the more significant: six years since “The Most Dangerous Man in the Vatican” was quietly slipped out of town, Archbishop Charles Scicluna is coming home to the “Holy Office”. . .

by Rocco Palmo

of Whispers in the Loggia

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
A Foolish Dreamer Awakens in the Church at Last – Richard G. Evans, Catholic Stand
The Vatican Strikes Again: No Sanity for You! – One Mad Mom
Solipsistic, Self-Aggrandizing Fr. Rosica Dares to Vet Catholic News Sources – Fr. Z’s Blog
On Being a Militant Catholic Today – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Double Standards: Benedict & Francis – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mutual Enrichment
Bestiality Is A Sexual Orientation – William M. Briggs Ph.D., Statistician to the Stars!
The Eucharist & Altar Servers – Joel Arzaga, Ignitum Today
USCCB Fall Meeting: Day One; Sackcloth, Ashes & a Major Shock – Mt. E. Bunson, NC Register
Why Divinize the Pope? – James Kalb, Crisis Magazine
Catholic Entrepreneur Uses Skills to Fight Global Poverty – Paulina Guzik, Crux
Painting Created by Artifical Intelligence Sells for $432K, is This Art? – New Liturgical Mvmnt
A Prayer for Each Day of the Week to Save Suffering Souls in Purgatory – P.E. Cator, Aleteia
Seven Ways Devotion to Saints Makes a Difference – Pet. Kreeft Ph.D., Integrated Cthlc Life™
From Fear of Death to Abounding Hope in Christ – Allison Low, Catholic Stand
Catholic Art Saved the Faith, Here’s Why & How – Laura Hensley, epicPew
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: “Not to the East, But to the West” – C. Dwyer, C. Spiritual Direction
As California Fires Continue to Burn, Catholic Charities Aids Victims – J. McKeown, NC Rgstr
American Eugenics is Targeting Down Syndrome Kids – Christopher M. Reilly, Mercatornet
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time