Big Pulpit

Beware These Three (3) Lavender Mafias Outside the Church

. . .we need to reveal & remove the Lavender Mafias wherever they exist — at Harvard, in Hollywood, & especially in the Church. . .

by Benjamin Wiker, Ph.D.,

of the National Catholic Register

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Jesus’ Blood Type & What It May Possibly Signify – Mystics of the Church
Popes’ Synod to Pretend Church is Doing Something About the Scandal (satire) – EOTT
The Vatican to Allow Beijing to Name Bishops – Steven W. Mosher, One Peter 5
A Crucifix is One of the Signs of Orthodoxy – Fr. Dw. Longenecker, National Cthlc Register
Why the Centering Prayer Movement is So Off-Center – Steve Ray, Defenders of the. . .
Do This Survivor a Favor Don’t Go Komen Pink for Me – Birgit Jones, Catholic Stand
Marriage: Helping Each Other Get to Heaven – Paul Oakes, Catholic Stand
Francis’s Popularity Plummets Among Americans, According to a Poll – Catholic Herald
Should Fashion be Important for Catholics? (w/Jen. Fulwiler) – Meghan Ashley Styling
Church That Focuses on Power but Lacking Mercy Creates Bitter Fruit – T. O’Malley, OSV
Meet a Vatican Tailor, Hand-Crafter of Ecclesiastical Garments – Rac. Lanz, NC Register
There is Always Something More to Give Up – Susanna Spencer, National Catholic Register
Monks of Tibhirine to be Beatified in Algeria in December – Catholic Herald
Don’t Settle for Roe – Richard Samuelson Ph.D., Law and Liberty
‘Holy Foods Market’ Brings Customer Service to the Local Pantry – CNA via The CWR
Why the Church Needs Philosophy: 20th Anniv. of Fides et ratio – J. Trabbic, The CWR
Family-Friendly Tech for the Digital Age – Rachel Lanz, National Catholic Register
The Tragic Link Between Transgender Teens & Suicide – Kelsey Harkness, The Stream
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Ugly Politics Of Orthodoxy

. . .the 2 great rival churches in Orthodoxy are the Greeks & the Russians.  This goes back many centuries.  In Orthodox ecclesiology, the Patriarch of Byzantium has historically been considered the first among equals.  Orthodoxy does not have a pope;  it’s ruled collegially, by synods.  The Byzantine patriarch is more like the Archbishop of Canterbury in that way.  After Byzantium fell to the Ottomans, the Moscow — the Russian church — became the de facto great power in world Orthodoxy.  The Byzantine patriarch — now called the Ecumenical Patriarch — has continued on all these years as a figurehead.  The current one, Bartholomew, lives in a small quarter in Istanbul.  Unlike Moscow, he has no money, but he does have the power, by virtue of his office, to grant “autocephaly” — the right to self-rule — to national churches in communion with his See. . .

by Rod Dreher

Independence for Ukraine’s Orthodox Church: Earthquake for Putin – Atlantic Council
Russian Orthodox Cuts Ties With Constantinople Over Ukraine Spat – The Moscow Times
Bartholomew to Allow 2nd Marriages for Greek Orthodox Priests – Greek Reporter
Orthodox Messes Great & Small – Rod Dreher
The Best Eastern Monastic Documentaries – Rick Yoder, The Amish Catholic
Ukraine Orthodox Ready for War – Sandro Magister, Settimo Cielo
How to Revitalize Greek Orthodox Church in 21st century – V. Coufoudakis, Kathimerini
The Russian Orthodox Believers Who Treat the Tsar Like a God – K von Eggert, C. Herald
Cleric: ‘No Going Back’ on Ukraine Split from Russia Church – AP via Crux
The Day 1500-Yr-Old Underground Byzantine Church Found in Turkey – Aleteia
Construction Begins on Japan’s First Orthodox Monastery – Orthodox Christianity
Unexpected Relationship between US Evangelicals & Russian Orthodox – Christian Cntry
The Majority of Serbians are Opposed to a Papal Visit to Serbia – Orthodox Christianity
Orthodoxy Has Become Second Biggest Religion in Monaco – The Eponymous Flower
Gigantic Procession in Russia to Honor the Czar – Tancred, The Eponymous Flower
Putin Wants God (or at Least the Church) on His Side – Ch. Stroop, Foreign Policy
Kirill Wrong to Blame Tsar’s Murder on Foreign Influence – Fr Lucie-Smith PhD, C Herald
A Fillip for Ukrainian Hopes of Spiritual Independence – The Economist
Priest Cleanses Odessa City Ctr w/Holy Water after Gay Parade – Orthodox Christianity
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

This is the Most Effective Way to Transform Society, According to St. Pius X

. . .homilies & apologetics can do nothing without this key element. . .

by Philip Kosloski,

of Aleteia

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
A Small Band of Friars & Nuns in Habits Feed Homeless in Los Angeles – Calif. C. Daily
Lost in the Wilderness? – Jeffrey Stevens, Catholic Stand
Videos & Hi-res Photos of Consecration of Abbey & Abbess of Gower – Fr. Z’s Blog
Adoremus: This Is What Hope Looks Like – Cheryl-Ann Smith, Catholic Herald
A Guide to Rome’s Relics – James Berry, Cream City Catholic
Renaissance of Teaching Sacred Liturgy to Children – J.P. Sonnen, Liturgical Arts Journal
Fr Jos Kentenich: Schoenstatt Movement Founder & Friend of the Rosary – Fr Calloway
Pray This Prayer by St. Therese to Ask God for Humility – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Mother Mary, Who Do You Say That I Am? – Guy McClung Ph.D. J.D., Catholic Stand
Benediction of the Conventual Church, Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer – Rorate Cæli
The Tiller –  Erin Cain, Ignitum Today
The Little Flower – Kat Larson, Ignitum Today
Saints: Ordinary People Driven By Great Love – Mother Angelica, Catholic Exchange
Mystic & Religious Founder Mo. Alphonse Marie Beatified in Strasbourg – The CWR
Filmmaker Shows How JP2’s 1979 Visit Aided Irish Peace Process – National C. Register
Take Two Parts Humility & One Part Faith & Stir Briskly. . . – Gabriel Garnica, Cth. Stand
Fostering Love as Foster Parents – Kathryn Jean Lopez, OSV Newsweekly
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Why We Should Learn about Islam: 12 Years after Regensburg

. . .On September 12, 2006, almost 5 years to the day from 9/11, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a watershed lecture at the University of Regensburg.  He argued that Islam & the modern West hold a significant tenant in common: a voluntarism that puts will above reason.  For classic Islamic thinkers this meant that Allah was not bound by any restraints of reason, including the principle of non-contradiction, & for modern philosophers, it led to a division between faith & reason & eventually to relativism. . .

by R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D.,

of Those Catholic Men

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
2017 Report on False Claims of Abuse: 9 Priests Commit Suicide – J Monaghan, Irish Nws
Google Is Evil – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Books Received: A Hard Look at Francis in Spanish by Argentinian Author – Fr. Z’s Blog
6 Overhyped & Fake News Stories from LGBT Media – Chad Felix Greene, The Federalist
Catholic School with $$$ Woes, Buys 2,300 Amazon Echos for Students – Coy Westbrook
Vice & Fire – Peter Hitchens, First Things
Exposing the Modernist’s Mythology About Nordic Countries – Jonathan B. Coe, Crisis
Kavanaugh Vote Delayed One Week – CNA via National Catholic Register
A Medieval Cure for Baldness – Canticum Salomonis
Study: Half Of All Transgender Female Teens Have Attempted Suicide – Kelsey Harkness
The Holodomor – Flagg Taylor, Law and Liberty
Planned Parenthood Announces New President; Pro-Lifers React – National C. Register
Cases of STDs are on the Rise – Paul De Maeyer, Aleteia
New Law Links Pornography, Human Trafficking  – Susan Klemond, OSV Newsweekly
Let’s Admit the Reality: Athleisure – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
5 Saints Who Were Crucified – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Attracting Your Angel Donors – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
South Korea’s Fertility Rates Hit a Record Low – Marcus Roberts, Mercatornet
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Bible Described It as the Perfect, Pure Blue; And Then for Nearly 2,000 Years, Everyone Forgot What It Looked Like

. . .forty-nine times the Bible mentions a perfect, pure blue, a color so magnificent & transcendent that it was all but impossible to describe. . .

by Noga Tarnopolsky

of the Los Angeles Times

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Incredible Before-&-After Pics: Abandoned Medieval Church Restored – Aleteia
An Unexpected Journey? The Case for the Canonization of J.R.R. Tolkien – epicPew
Sacraments, Not Social Events – Msgr. Charles Pope, Community in Mission
How to Teach Your Children Obedience, According to St. John Chrysostom – Aleteia
Sacramento Bishop Names New Chancellor – California Catholic Daily
Church Cant Teach Capital Punishment Inherently Wrong: Reply to Jn. Finnis – Ed Feser
US Govt Ordering Baby Body Parts Planned Parenthood Kills in Abortions – Mic. Bilger
A Member of the Breast Cancer Club Komen Doesn’t Speak For Me – Birgit Jones
Requiem Vestments from the Imperial Treasury, Vienna – S. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
How to Pray with Icons: A Brief Guide – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Paradox of Discipleship: 24th Sun. in O.T. Readings Explained – John Bergsma Ph.D.
MSNBC Ignores Poll Showing Americans are Pro-Life, Oppose Roe v. Wade – B. Wilmouth
The Dignity of Work in a Celebrity-obsessed World – Naomi Schaefer Riley, Mercatornet
Let’s Admit the Reality: Athleisure – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
Justice Kennedy’s Last Term – Marc O. DeGirolami & Kevin C. Walsh, First Things
Pope Says He Hopes to Visit Japan Next Year, Fulfilling Wish – Vatican News
Attracting Your Angel Donors – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Millennials, Roe v. Wade, & Demographics – Marcus Roberts, Mercatornet
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Third Secret of Fatima & Smoke of Satan in the Catholic Church

. . .we track the prophecies of corruption in the Catholic Church beginning with the vision of Pope Leo XIII in 1884 (& St. Michael’s Prayer) & move up through Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 & Our Lady of Akita in 1973.  We also discuss Our Lady of Good Success. . .

by Taylor Marshall, Ph.D.

of TaylorMarshall.com

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Catholic Ed.: Agreeing & Not Quite Agreeing with Geo. Weigel – Jos. Pearce, NC Register
Francis’s Popularity Plummets Among Americans, According to a Poll – Catholic Herald
Dear USCCB: We Need to Talk About Burials & Cremation – John Grondelski, NC Register
How Much Is the Pope Paid for Being the Pope? – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
So You’re an Atheist? A Few Fun Things to Lighten Dark Times – Steve Ray
The Spirit of Vatican I – Russell Hittinger Ph.D., First Things
Explaining Transgender to Kids, Without Puppets – Lei. Miller & Tre. Horn, Cthlc Answers
The Secret Catholic Chapel in the Attic of Reformation-era Amsterdam – Aleteia
Vatican Confirms Ongoing Inquiry Into Sistine Chapel Choir Finances – Catholic Herald
Government Rejects a Nationwide Ban on Pro-life Vigils – Nick Hallett, Catholic Herald
Empty Nest – Susan Anderson, CatholicMom.com
Horror Films & Holy Water: A Winning Formula – Sebastian James, Mercatornet
Please Pray as a Massive Hurricane & Super Typhoon Strike Today – Fr. Richard Heilman
Studies Acknowledge How Traumatic Miscarriage Is, Why Doesn’t Society? – Aleteia
How One Crowdfunding Site Supports Pro-Life & Traditional Values – ChurchPOP
Why Christians Should Stand Up for the Uighurs Besieged by China – Bob Roberts, RNS
California Is on Brink of Providing Abortion Pills at Public Univs. – Peter Jesserer Smith
Faith-based Disaster-relief Teams on Standby as Hurricane Florence Nears – Rel Nws Ser
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

A Remarkable Thing Just Happened in Liverpool, England

. . .Sunday’s event was the largest Catholic procession in England since Pope St. John Paul II’s visit to Britain in 1982. . .

by K.V. Turley,

of the National Catholic Register

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Has Our Lady Left Us Another Image of Herself, Besides Guadalupe? – Ell. Mady, Aleteia
New Online Database Tracks Episcopal Fidelity, Including Liturgy – P. Kwasniewski Ph.D.
How Neuroscience Explains Sex Abuse & Vindicates . . . Prayer & Fasting – John Gravino
US Doctors are Performing Double Mastectomies On Healthy 13-Yr-Old Girls – J. Robbins
Urgent! Fend Off Florence with a Procession of Litany & Prayers – Fr. Z’s Blog
Response to a Challenge of Why I Rejected “Sola Scriptura” – Steve Ray
A Journey to Detachment – Msgr. Charles Pope, Community in Mission
Never Tolerate Bad Apples – Sean Fitzpatrick, Newman Society
Ecumenical Winter: The Ecumenical Movement Has Stopped Moving – Michael Root, FTh
The Surpassing Relevance of Mary’s Jewish Roots – Jeffrey A. Mirus Ph.D., Cthlc Culture
Need Some Direction in Darkness? Look to St. Catherine of Siena – S. Antonetti, Aleteia
Develop a Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows – Jeannie Ewing, Catholic Exchange
Silent Retreat: Prayer – Noel Ethan Tan, Ignitum Today
A Shocking Report on Government Sponsored Wholesaler of Baby Parts – R. Alexander
Let’s Admit the Reality: Athleisure – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
Will Canadian Pro-Life Billboards be Censored? – Mike Schouten, Life News
Attracting Your Angel Donors – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
New PP Pres Leana Wen Tried to Force Pregnancy Ctrs to Promote Abortions – S. Ertelt
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time