Big Pulpit

THVRSDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Ross Douthat (Credit: Catholic Herald)

‘I’ve Tried to Write about a Very Complicated & Tumultuous Papacy’: an Interview with Ross Douthat

. . .the New York Times columnist on the marriage debate, the trouble with liberal theology, & his struggle with illness. . .

by Dan Hitchens

of the Catholic Herald

Cardinal: German Bishops’ Intercommunion Prpsl Not Theologically Sound – E. Pentin
Ukraine’s Past Experience Warns Vatican’s Capitulation to Red China – M. Mullarkey
Arnaud Beltrame’s Courageous Catholic Death – Peter Jesserer Smith, NC Register
Confessions From the Adoration Chapel – Betty Parquette, Catholic Stand
Stuck in a Fashion Rut??? – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
The Two Steps Jesus Took Before He Fundraised – Brice Sokolowski
The Pope: Rock or Stumbling-Block? – Ben Butera, The American Catholic
Could the Irish Establishment Lose? – Jon Anderson, Catholic Herald
Pope Francis Appoints a New Auxiliary Bishop for Los Angeles, California – Vtcn News
5 Inspiring Quotes about the Depths of Divine Mercy – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Jordan Peterson, Unlikely Guru – Matthew Schmitz, First Things
While You Probably Think Same-Sex Attraction Is Fixed, Researchers Don’t – J. Keenan
Of Paradigm Shifts – Russell Shaw, The Catholic Thing
The Eugenics Plot of the Minimum Wage – Jeffrey Tucker, The Stream
5 Fun Facts About the Internet’s Patron Saint – Melissa Guerrero, epicPew
Unicorns in the Bible? Why the Mythical Creature Is Mentioned In Scripture – B. Ryan
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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THVRSDAY MORNING EDITION

Boom in Religious Vocations from Catholic Homeschoolers Promotional Pic (Credit: Seton Magazine)

A Boom in Religious Vocations. . . From Catholic Homeschoolers!

. . .Catholic homeschoolers have known for years that religious vocations are one of the many fruits of homeschooling.  A new CARA Georgetown study confirms it. . .

by Krista Schmid Thomas,

of Seton Magazine

Progressive Christianity’s Suicide, Lutheran Edition – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Jordan Peterson on Adam & Eve – Christopher Kaczor Ph.D., Public Discourse
Seven German Bishops Ask Vatican to Block Intercommunion Proposal – Edward Pentin
Boy with Down Syndrome Helps Jesus at Good Friday Procession in Viral Video – ChPp
The Best Books on Arguments for the Existence of God by Edward Feser – Cha. Styles
A Family Therapist Reveals the Bad Effects of Pornography on Children – M. De Robien
What Is ‘Gender Ideology’? – Stephen Baskerville Ph.D., Jacobite Magazine
The 3 Hacks to Successful Fundraising in the Catholic Church – Brice Sokolowski
Irish Government Policy on Catholic Schools Branded Discriminatory – Catholic Herald
Ampleforth School Stripped of Child Welfare Powers – Catholic Herald
New Book Offers Tips on Making the Most of Mass – John M. Grondelski Ph.D., NC Rgstr
Gaza Protests, Media Bias, & Christianity In Middle East Conflicts – The Federalist
The Journey of Mary Magdalene to Resurrection Faith – Msgr. Charles Pope, CiM
The Importance of Forgiveness – Cecily Lowe, Catholic Stand
Ransom Demand for Release of Catholic Priest in Congo – Linda Bordoni, Vatican News
Peer-Reviewed Study Proves Abortion Pill Can be Reversed, Babies Saved – Jay Hobbs
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Rainer Cardinal Woelki of Cologne is seen during the funeral of Joachim Cardinal Meisner at Cologne Cathedral 15 July. (Credit: Sascha Steinbach, EPA, of Catholic News Service)

A Group of German Bishops Ask the Vatican to Intervene on Communion for Protestants Proposal

. . .they warn that the German Bishops’ Conference may have gone too far. . .

by the Staff Reporter

of the Catholic Herald

It Can Happen To You — & Will; the Gender Gendarmerie is Here – Rod Dreher
Easter & the Cultural Pagans – Mary Cuff, Crisis Magazine
The Early Church Believed in the Eucharist – Tom Nash, Catholic Answers Magazine
Air Turbulence & The Resurrection, My Latest Book – George Weigel, First Things
Is Easter Really the Pagan Worship of Ishtar? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Xi Jinping’s Village – Dan Hitchens, First Things
Bishop Sorondo Defends China’s ‘Reform of the Organ Donation System’ – D. Hitchens
Ancient & Contemporary: The Douai Abbey Rose Chasuble – S.R. Tribe, Ltrgcl Arts Jour.
Do We Interpret the Bible Literally? – Nick Chui, Ignitum Today
The Patron Saint of the Internet (& It Is Not Bert Ghezzi) – Bert Ghezzi
Practicing Kindness in a Harsh World – Sarah Greydanus, Catholic Stand
Quotes Suitable for Framing: Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. – Don. R. McClarey J.D.
Catholicism & the Bourgeois Mind – Christopher Dawson, The Imaginative. . .
Two Attacks on Pakistani Christians after Easter; Four Catholics Killed – Vatican News
Hope Reborn: Comunità Cenacolo Offers Tools to Renew Shattered Lives – J. Desmond
Confounded by the Resurrection – Regis Nichol, Crisis Magazine
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY MORNING EDITION

Canadian Psychologist & Professor Dr. Jordan Peterson Author of ’12 Rules for Life’ (Credit: Image from YouTube via The Catholic World Report)

Jordan Peterson’s Jungian Best-Seller is Banal, Superficial, & Insidious

. . .the real danger in 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is its apologia for social Darwinism & bourgeois individualism covered over with a theological patina. . .

by Adam A.J. DeVille, Ph.D.,

of The Catholic World Report

A Big No-No at the Altar; Update: The Priest Pulled the Video Down – Fr. Z’s Blog
Ten Reasons for the Marriage Mess – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
The Modern Post-Heretic – David Warren, Essays in Idleness
Rome Conf. Prog.: Confusion in the Church & Limits of Papal Authority – Edw. Pentin
7 Ways to Glorify God with Your Body – Fr. Ed Broom O.M.V., The Catholic Gentleman
Vatican: No ‘Private Meeting’ of Pope, Brother Accused in Abuse Cover-Up – ISM, Crux
The 3 Hacks to Successful Fundraising in the Catholic Church – Brice Sokolowski
New Study: Christianity Is Rapidly Dying in Europe – Ryan Scheel, uCatholic
Why Giant High Schools Just Can’t Help Messed-Up Kids – Auguste Meyrat, The Fdrlst
The Post-Truth Civilization – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Religious Freedom: The Muslim Question – Daniel Philpott, Arc of the Universe
A New Frassati? The Inspiring Life of Joe Reali – uCatholic
Bellarmine on Capital Punishment – Edward Feser Ph.D.
Applying the Principle of Subsidiarity to the Debt Crisis – John Horvat II, The Ima. . .
Four Catholics Killed by Islamic State in Pakistan – Catholic News Service via Cthlc Hrld
The Arfe Custodia: A Masterpiece in Silver & Gold – Kinga U. Lipinska Ltrgcl Arts Jour.
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY EXTRA

Transgenderism & Propaganda (Credit: gaiadergi.com)

Today In Trans Propaganda

. . .Eastern Europeans asked me how on earth Westerners are succumbing to the transgender insanity.  I told them that a steady diet of media propaganda has a big role in it. . .

by Rod Dreher

University Event Aims to Combat ‘Christian Privilege’ – Michael Jones, The College Fix
How To Pack Everything in a Little Suitcase, in Little Time – Meghan Ashley
No Hell, No Heaven – Edward Feser Ph.D.
Theologian Criticized in B16’s Letter had Big Influence on Amoris – Mary A. Hackett
On the Reed or Tricereo (The Triple Candle) – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
Corrupt Pastoral Practice Means Corrupt Doctrine – Jeffrey Tranzillo Ph.D., H&PR
Why is Sin Such Fun? – Joe Heschmeyer, Shameless Popery
Walmart Pulls ‘Cosmo’ From Checkout Lines: Victory for True Feminism – S.E. Browder
Facebook Bans Catholic Ad Featuring Crucifix for Being “Excessively Violent” – ChPop
Finding Divine Mercy with St. Therese – Sarah Carey, Catholic Stand
“The Sequence” is the Secret to Success – Wendy Wang, Institute for Family Studies
Jesuit Priest, Last Living Son of Irish Revolutionary Leaders, Dies at 104 – CNA/CWR
A Question about Holy Saturday – P.J. Smith, Semiduplex
Pontifical Prof.: Capitalism Improved Living Conditions of All Social Levels – Acton
An Easter Plea for Persecuted Christians – The Editors, National Catholic Register
An Easter Quo Vadis: St. Hugh of Grenoble (A.D. 1053-1132) – Rick Becker, NC Register
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

It Doesn’t Work (Credit: Mary Constance from Flickr via The American Conservative)

The Feminization (& Decline) Of Religion

. . .if females lead congregations, it changes the way you think about God.  This is one (but not the only) reason why traditional Christian churches oppose female clergy.  God is revealed to us in the Bible as a Father.  Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is a man.  Mary, the mother of the Messiah, plays an important symbolic role too.  You lose the male & female aspects of the story, you lose sight of why these things matter theologically. . .

by Rod Dreher

In Holy Week 2018, Francis was the Great Catholic Iconoclast – John L. Allen Jr., Crux
Co-Founder of 40 Days for Life Received Into Catholic Church – Catholic Herald
How Well Do You Know the Catholic Mass? – Theresa Williams, epicPew
Why Hollywood is Losing Ground – Denyse O’Leary, Mercatornet
The New Barbarism? Learning in Twenty-First Century Schools – Tony Williams, TIC
What’s in a Name: The Manipulation & Abuse of Language – John M. Grondelski Ph.D.
The Resurrection Was the Greatest Event in History – George W. Rutler S.T.D. Th.D.
The Weak Lead Us to Reality – Leah Libresco Sargeant, First Things
Hell Is Real—& Just – Karlo Broussard, Catholic Answers Magazine
There is Nothing “Adult” About Pornography – Rob Schwarzwalder, The Stream
‘This Is Making a Lot of Christians in China Very Nervous’ – Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian
Holocaust Survivor’s Murder In France Reopens Worries Over Anti-Semitism – Bill Wirts
Jim Caviezel Acts in Films That Will ‘Bring the Most Souls to Christ’ – Nancy Flory
Bringing Good Out of Evil – Jean Elizabeth Seah, Ignitum Today
John Paul II’s Vision of Family & Marriage for the New Evangelization – Rolando Moreno
Learning to Give by Caring for My Sister – Michael Cretaro, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY MORNING EDITION

Beautiful Catholic Mass (Credit: Church Militant)

Two Encouraging Stories Involving Bishops! Yes, You Read That Right! Bishop Michael Olson & Bishop Mark Davies

. . .remember, dear readers, that no initiative we undertake in the Church will succeed & bear real fruit unless it is rooted in & returned to our sacred liturgical worship of God.  This is why a revitalization of our worship is absolutely necessary. . .

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

Major Protestant YouTube Star Enters Catholic Church at Easter Vigil, Pics! – ChurchPop
The Big Bang & the Shroud of Turin – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Dr. Peter Kreeft Has 40 Good Reasons Why He’s Catholic – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Secularists Finds Underage Sex Bad for Christians, Beautiful for Gays – Chad F. Greene
Experiments with Gender, Marriage, et al., have Wreaked Havoc; Worse to Come – WK
Give Me a Hand: Let’s Return to the Reverence Our Lord Deserves – James Hooper, CS
The 3 Hacks to Successful Fundraising in the Catholic Church – Brice Sokolowski
Hell & Pope Francis – Mark Brumley, The Dispatch via The Catholic World Report
Iraqi Nun Displaced by Islamic State Denied UK Visa – David V. Barrett, Catholic Herald
Taking Sunday Seriously — Poland Leads the Way – Nicholas Wolfram Smith, NC Register
New Book!: Liturgy Outside Liturgy: The Liturgical Theology – P.A. Kwasniewski Ph.D.
Abortions are the Leading Killer of Black Americans, Not Gun Violence – R. Bomberger
Domestic Challenges to Religious Liberty From Left & Right – Daniel Mark Ph.D., PD
Turks Use NATO Weapons & al Qaeda Allies for Genocide in Syria – L. Homer, The Strm
Euthanasia Aloha: Death Laws Come to Hawaii – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Stream
Easter Gift: Supplement to the Kyriale – Notkerus Balbulus, Canticum Salomonis
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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EASTER MONDAY EDITION

Liturgical Dancing (Credit: Screengrab via unamsanctamcatholicam.blogspot.com)

Synod on Young People: It Almost Seems That Their Presence is Limited to the Need to Justify a Change of Direction for the Church

. . .Synod on young people, what will it look like. . .

by Andrea Gagliarducci,

of Monday Vatican

Ten Reasons Why Liberal Catholicism Will Fade Away – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
‘We Regret to Inform You That Christ Is Risen’ – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Stream
Convert Burnout, Revert Exhaustion – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Facebook v. The Lord – Fr. Z’s Blog
Brown M&Ms & Religious Illiteracy – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Will the ‘Catholic Spring’ Blow Up in Democrats’ Faces in 2018? – Amber Athey, CV
Local Church Leaves United Methodist Over Its Support for Abortion – Micaiah Bilger
Pope Believes in Hell & He Needs to Stop Talking to Eugenio Scalfari – Chr. R. Altieri
Erdogan: “Europe will be Muslim if it is the Will of Allah” – Roberto de Mattei, RCæli
Why On Earth Does Pope Francis Still Trust Eugenio Scalfari? – Christopher R. Altieri
The Man Mistaken for a Gardener – David Torkington, Catholic Stand
AP Hails Mary Magdalene as a Biblical ‘#MeToo’ Poster Child; Nonsense – Joshua Gill
An Alternative to Common Core & College Board Testing – Mo Woltering, Crisis Mgzn
Pope Francis’ 2018 Easter Message & Urbi et Orbi Blessing – Edward Pentin, NCRegister
Threats to International Religious Freedom – Daniel Mark Ph.D., Public Discourse
Catholics Are Easter People; We Don’t Stop At the Cross – Melanie Jean Juneau, CS
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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EASTER SVNDAY EDITION

The Confession by Giuseppe Molteni c. A.D. 1838 (Credit: CatholicVote.org)

Can a Priest Refuse to Hear Your Confession if He Knows You?

by Cathy Caridi, J.C.L.,

of Canon Law Made Easy

Marcus Grodi Reflects on Trends in Conversions, & the Mystery of Grace – Jea. Flood
Does Your Temperament Affect Your Spiritual Life? – Dan Burke, Cthlc Spiritual Drctn
Pope Francis’ Homily at Easter Vigil Mass – Edward Pentin, NC Register
Intellectual Conversion is Proof of the Existence of God – Sophia Feingold, NC Register
Happy Easter! Here’s Our Best Easter Content to Celebrate the Day – ChurchPop
Easter Morning – Fr. David Vincent Meconi S.J., Homiletic & Pastoral Review
Jesus’ Mysterious Resurrection Appearances (& More! Live Stream) – Jimmy Akin
Easter Sunday Readings Explained – John Bergsma Ph.D., The Sacred Page
Emmaus Iconography – David, Icons & Their Interpretation
What is the Act of Contrition? – Fr. Michael Kerper, Catholic Exchange
Ex Oriente Lux — Happy Easter! – New Catholic, Rorate Cæli
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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HOLY SATVRDAY EDITION

Super Blue Blood Moon (Credit: Roman Catholic Man)

God Seems to be Pointing to March 31, Why?

. . .well known is St. John Bosco’s “dream of the two columns” where he foresaw the future difficulties of the Church, envisioned as a ship on stormy seas. Several popes strive to moor the Church & anchor it between two columns which arose amid the dangerous waters. . .

by Father Richard Heilman,

of Roman Catholic Man

See The Film – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
The Scary Truth about Young Europeans & the Church – Stephen Bullivant, Cthlc Herald
Secret Identities in the Gospel of Mark! – Jimmy Akin
The Pope Who Fired the Papal Jester – Shaun McAfee O.P., National Catholic Register
Stephen Hawking Developed Doomsday Fearmongering Late in Life – Berezow & Siegel
Will Mike Pompeo’s Christian Convictions Translate Into Policy Shifts? – Brian Fraga, Rg
The New-Old Secret to Spiritual ‘Productivity’ – Shaun McAfee O.P., Catholic Answers
The Answer – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
What We Can Still Learn From Father Neuhaus – C.C. Pecknold, Natl Catholic Register
Conor Lamb Toes the ‘Cuomo Line’ in Pennsylvania – Paul G. Kengor Ph.D., NC Register
Thomas More & the Politics of Conscience – L. Joseph Hebert, Crisis Magazine
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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HOLY SATVRDAY SPECIAL

Christ Preaching to Dead by Duccio (Credit: Community in Mission)

Where Is Jesus Between His Death & Resurrection?

. . .where is Christ after He dies on Friday afternoon & before He rises on Easter Sunday? Both Scripture & Tradition answer this question. . .

by Monsignor Charles Pope,

of Community in Mission

Jesus Miraculously Appears, Tells Man to Convert from Islam to Catholicism – ChrchPop
St. Joseph’s Apparition in the United States – Joseph Pronechen, NC Register
Why ‘Quo Vadis’ is the Epic Easter Film You Need to See – Matthew Becklo, Aleteia
An Overlooked Chapter in the Life of Blessed Paul VI – Joanna Bogle, The CWR
The Mystery of the Three Crosses – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Holy Triduum – Edward Feser Ph.D.
How American Seminarians in Rome Celebrate Holy Week – CNA via The CWR
Spend a Little Time with Your Patron Saint This Holy Saturday – Michael Davis, CH
Easter Vigil Readings Explained – John Bergsma Ph.D., The Sacred Page
The Sacrament of Union – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
Decorating with the Glorious Easter Lily – Carrie Gress Ph.D., my favorite cthlc things
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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GOOD FRIDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Deanna Falchook (Credit: The Stream via Screengrab from Facebook)

Planned Parenthood Gets Slammed by Former Princess Who Had an Abortion

. . .a Planned Parenthood branch in Pennsylvania caused a stir when it posted its now-deleted tweet calling on Disney to make a princess “who’s had an abortion”. . .

by Nancy Flory

of The Stream

From Confusion to Heresy: How Papal Statements are Exploited – Phil Lawler, Cath C
Professor Ratzinger on Hell – Ben Butera, The American Catholic
On Liturgy & Orthodoxy, the Youth-Synod Document Forgot Our Voices – John Monaco
The Sexual Revolution Conquers US Churches – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Scott Peterson & Arnaud Beltrame Appear to David Hogg in a Dream – J. Zmirak Ph.D.
God’s Not Dead—but the Franchise Is – Nick Olszyk, The Dispatch via The CWR
Yes, Ancient Romans Really Did Practice Crucifixion – G.W. Thielman, The Federalist
New Film Shows How Dying for Christ Isn’t So Simple – Monica Migliorino Miller, Crisis
Why It is Appropriate that Stephen Hawking’s Funeral is on Holy Saturday – de Souza
Pew Research: 3 Significant Religious Shifts in U.S. Politics Since 1994 – Ric. Ostling
The Often-Overlooked Saints of Good Friday – Thomas Craughwell, Natl Cthlc Register
The Passion’s Jim Caviezel Reveals God’s ‘Call’ to Share ‘Truth’ in Acting – Katie Yoder
Arnaud Beltrame, Cardinal Sarah & Learning to Die in Lagrasse – Fr. Ray. J. de Souza
73 per cent of US Catholics Plan To Go To Church for Easter – Cthlc News Serv. via CH
The “Medical Conscience” Civil Rights Movement – Wesley J. Smith J.D., First Things
Can Economics Advance the Common Good? – Andrei Rogobete, Transatlantic Blog
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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