Big Pulpit

THVRSDAY MORNING EDITION

(Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock.com via CNA)

The Priestly Story Dioceses Tell: Reasons for Optimism in the US

. . .despite drops in seminary enrollment . . . there is reason for optimism. According to the annual survey by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University. . .

by Anne Hendershott & Makenzie White,

of the National Catholic Register

Pope’s Personal Theologian Expected to Lead Major Archdiocese – Alejandro Bermudez
Court Stops Wife from Starving Disabled Husband to Death – Alex Schadenberg, Lf Nws
Alfie Evans & Our Moral Crossroads – Charles C. Camosy, First Things
The Last Man Who Knew Everything – Matthew Walther, The Week
A Paralytic Church? – Fr. John R.P. Russell, Catholic Exchange
The 8th Century Benedictine Monk Who Accidentally Invented Do-Re-Mi – ChurchPop
Christian, Read This Bill: Religious Freedom at Stake – Alan Shlemon, The Stream
2018 Spring Trends You Already Own (Without Even Knowing!) – Meghan Ashley
Nihilism, Bodies, & Personhood in Black Mirror – Patrick Malone, Catholic Stand
Etiquette & the Common Good – Randall B. Smith Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
How Proofs for God Lead to Divine Simplicity – Dennis Bonnette Ph.D., Strange Notions
The 1st Amendment Didn’t Separate Church & State, Christianity Did – Paul R. DeHart
Bishops Warn Venezuela Headed for Humanitarian Catastrophe – Inés San Martín, Crux
Oscar Romero, Martyr & Saint –  Gerhard Ludwig Cardinal Müller, First Things
Asking by the Rules: Canon 1262 & You – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Council of Cardinals Prep New Constitution for Roman Curia – CNA via The CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY EXTRA

Ominous Clouds Over England (Credit: Flickr)

British Police Will Monitor & Prosecute “Malicious Communications” Supporting Alfie Evans

. . .Liverpool police are warning that social media posts about “Alder Hey Hospital & the ongoing situation involving Alfie Evans” are “being monitored” & what they deem as “malicious communications” will be investigated. . .

by Donald R. McClarey, J.D.,

of The American Catholic

Court of Appeal rejects bid to fly Alfie Evans to Rome – Catholic Herald
Hospital Lies: Said Alfie Evans Would Die Soon; in February: Die “in Minutes” – LN
Cory Booker, Mike Pompeo Can Love SSA’s without Affirming their Orientation – Fdrlst
Why GQ is Wrong, The Bible is a Must-Read – Sean McDowell, The Stream
Royal Baby Mania Isn’t About Politics, It’s About Celebrity – Robert Tracinski, The Fdrlst
Why Catholics Should Beware as High-Tech ‘Deepfake’ Videos Emerge – CNA via CWR
Bavaria to Display Crosses in All Government Buildings – Theo Howard, Cthlc Herald
Two Priests Among 15 Killed in Attack on Catholic Mass in Nigeria – Crux
Backlash Planned Against Pro-SSA ‘Day of Silence’ – Alexander Slavsky, Church Mltnt
Hero Nun Of WWII, the Angel of Dieppe, Dies At 103 – Matthew Archbold, NC Register
Layman Launching “Serious Online Attacks” on Brazilian Bishops – F. Domingues, Crux
The Devil Is in the Details: Pope Francis, the Devil, & Hell – Mat. E. Bunson, NCRegister
New Cardinal Newman Guide Helps Families Navigate College Search – CNA via CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Sean Cardinal O’Malley Ordaining New Priests (Credit: Screengrab from CNA via NCRegister.com)

New Priests: Orthodoxy Among Key Factors in Ordination Numbers

. . .what makes a diocese fertile ground for encouraging men to follow a path to the Catholic priesthood? . . .

by Sabrina Ferrisi,

of the National Register

Theresa May to Alfie Evans Parents: We Own You People – Don. R. McClarey J.D., TACth
Jaron Lanier: We Blew It – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Alfie Evans Judge: He’s Not a Human Being, There’s No Brain Left – Steven Ertelt, LN
From Bob Jones University to the Catholic Church – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Alfie Evans Must Die So the Nanny State May Live – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Stream
A Way to Undo the Knot of Pope Francis’ Words about “Truth Idols”? – Fr. Z’s Blog
Judge Sentencing Alfie Evans to Death Member of SSA UK Lawyers Grp – Ch. Niles J.D.
Pope’s Kitchen Cabinet Right Now is a Distracted Bunch – John L. Allen Jr., Crux
This is What Exorcisms are Really Like – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Chile Abuse Crisis: Who Led Pp. Francis to Make ‘Serious Errors’? – I. San Martín, Crux
Text of 7 German Bishops’ Intercommunion for Protestant Spouses Letter – E. Pentin
If Calif.’s LGBT Therapy Ban Been Law 30 Yrs Ago, I May Have Killed Myself – W. Heyer
Baseball & Synod 2018 – George Weigel, The Dispatch via The Catholic World Report
How Well Do You Know St. Mark? – Laura DeMaria, Catholic Stand
The New App Offers a Social Network for Prayer – Catholic News Serv. via Cthlc Herald
Chilean Sex Abuse Victim Urges Pope Francis to Fire ‘Toxic’ Bishops – Philip Pullela
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VVEDNESDAY MORNING EDITION

Why is the World Celebrating the Royal Baby, but Watching Alfie Evans Die?

. . .the government has determined that he shouldn’t receive further treatment. . .

by Sarah Coffey,

of Ignitum Today

Fr. James Martin Isn’t Interested in Building a Bridge to People Like Me – Hud. Byblow
I Was the Butler of 3 Popes; Let Me Tell You about Wojtyla’s Miracle – Andrea Tornielli
UK Doctors Grp. Horrified Over Alfie Evans’ Medical Tyranny, Demand Release – LN
Religion News Service Tumult: Firings, & Resignations – Terry Mattingly, Get Religion
6 Spiritual Effects of Confession Everyone Should Know, In One Infographic – ChrchPop
Judge Rejects Plea to Allow Alfie Evans to Seek Treatment in Italy – N. Flory, The Strm
A Catholic Chaplain Becomes a Hero – Daniel Demers, Catholic Stand
“Dear First Communicant” – Michele Chronister, Catholic Exchange
Is Jesus the Only Savior? – Marcellino D’Ambrosio Ph.D., Integrated Catholic Life™
Fresh Takes on Liturgical Theology – Christopher Carstens, Adoremus Bulletin
How to Pick a Name to Honor the Blessed Virgin Mary – Theresa Williams, epicPew
Paul Ryan’s Exit Interv.: Rethinking How a Great Soc. Helps People – Pt. Jesserer Smith
Dating App Bumble Donates to Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz – Micaiah Bilger, LN
An Examination of Closet – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Asking by the Rules: Canon 1262 & You – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Prayer & the Word of God: Defenses Against the Evil One – Fr. Paolo Carlin, Cthlc Exch
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY EXTRA

Then-Deacon Juan Miguel Contreras Garcia (Credit: Archdiocese of Guadalajara via Crux)

Second Mexican Priest Murdered in His Church in Less than Two Weeks

. . .this brings the total number of priests murdered in Mexico to 23 in the last six years. . .

by Theo Howard,

of Catholic Herald

Join Us for the Avila Summit This Summer! – Kristin Aebli, Catholic Spiritual Direction
Find Comfort in Christ: Take Off Your Shoes of Sin – Gabriel Garnica, Catholic Stand
When Should Catholics Genuflect in a Church? – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Harvard to Create New LGBTQ ‘Religious Support Group’ – Daniel Payne, The Coll. Fix
Children Matter, Families Matter, Home Matters – Rebecca Hamilton, NC Register
Why the Double Ablutions? – Peter A. Kwasniewski Ph.D., New Liturgical Movement
The Benedictine Confederation Marks 125 Years – Vatican News
4 Saints for 4 Desperate Situations, & Prayers to Them – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Mary—Perfect Reflection of Christ’s Light – Matt Chicoine, Catholic Stand
Author: Pope Is a ‘Mystic’ Trying to Solve Left-Right Dichotomy in Church – E. Pentin
9th Film in Footprints of God Series Launches World Premiere – Diane Hanson, CWR
The Passion of the Christ: Bizarre Events That Happened on the Set – Nan. Flory, Strm
Laywomen Among New CDF Appointees – CNA via The Catholic World Report
Rene Girard & the Real Reason Traditional Worship Will Survive – Fr. Dwi. Longenecker
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Alfie Evans (Credit: Screenshot from Life News)

Air Ambulance Arrives Outside Alfie Evans’ Hospital to Take Him to Italy if Court Approves

. . .unfortunately, Italian citizenship did not matter to Justice Hayden yesterday . . . but his parents are hoping the fact that Alfie has survived on his own much longer than doctors thought will change the scenario. . .

by Steven Ertelt,

of Life News

Bullied for Adhering to the Faith in a Catholic High School – Paul Oakes, Catholic Stand
To Change the Church. . .or Replace It? (Ross Douthat) – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Strm
Snopes Is a Sneaky Liar on Calif.’s Bill to Ban Christian LGBT Talk – Rob. Gagnon, Fdrlst
Know the Truth & the Truth Will Make You . . . an Idolator? – Fr. Z’s Blog
This Is Why We Homeschool – Dave Griffey, Daffey Thoughts
When Christians are Compared to the 9/11 Terrorists – Michael Brown Ph.D., The Strm
Correlation of Non-Procreative Sex & Lack of Traditional Religion – Wil. M. Briggs Ph.D.
Catholic Guide to Loneliness – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
‘Priest with a Mic’ Hits the Streets of LA – Chloe Langr, epicPew
The HR-ification of the Public Square – Samuel D. Jones, First Things
Did You Know? Ladybugs Are Named for the Virgin Mary – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
What Happened When I Quit Social Media – Caroline Brock, Aleteia
This Mom of 16 Homeschools, Blogs, & Runs a Charity – Cerith Gardiner, Aleteia
Beware of False (Political) Prophets – Deacon James H. Toner, Crisis Magazine
April 24, 1945: Death of Fr. Cyclone – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Talking Crosses, Camping Scribes, & Other Apocry-Follies – Cale Clarke, Cthlc Answers
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY MORNING EDITION

An image of Alfie taken 23 April 2018 (Credit: WhatsAppFacebook Image via NCRegister.com Screengrab)

Alfie Evans Granted Italian Citizenship, Pope Francis Renews Appeal

. . .on the day the hospital wanted to remove his life support against his parent’s wishes, the Italian government grants the 23-month old toddler Italian citizenship to allow him immediate alternative care, but UK judge rejects all efforts to save him. . .

by Edward Pentin,

of the National Catholic Register

The Strangest Things in Catholic Culture, According to a Former Protestant – ChrchPop
Who’s Being Anti-Science Now? – Tom Gilson, The Stream
GQ Mag Puts the Bible on List of Most Overrated Books Ever – Matthew Archbold, CMR
Never Give Up! A Miracle Story to Support Alfie Evans – Fr. Richard Heilman, RCM
New Program for Future Seminarians Pilots in LA – Elisabeth Deffner, NC Register
What’s the Best Education Option for Catholic Families Today? – Eric Sammons, SU
A Year in a New Land: Reflections from a Recent Convert – Sarah Carey, Catholic Stand
Is Orthopraxy All that Matters? – Regis Nichol, Crisis Magazine
Christian Publisher Says Google Banned It Over ‘Faith We Express’ – J. Pullman, Fdrlst
Calif. Pioneers the War on Gender While Squashing Free Speech – Nic. Russell, Fdrlst
Do Catholics Worship Idols? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Christian Insistence on Purity & Moral Change – Jeffrey A. Mirus Ph.D., Catholic Culture
Wedding Showed Me ‘One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic’ Fits the Church – L. Peterson
An Examination of Closet – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Asking by the Rules: Canon 1262 & You – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Mother Takes Ealing Council to Court Over Abortion Clinic ‘Buffer Zone’ – Th. Howard
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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MONDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Amazon City Graphic (Credit: Get Religion)

Can a New Amazon HQ Liberalize a Devout American City?

. . .the Washington Post: “The unspoken factor in Amazon’s search for a new home:  Jeff Bezo’s support for (so-called) gay rights”. . .

by Julia Duin,

of Get Religion

Pope Francis, Here are the Reforms Still Under Discussion – Andrea Gagliarducci, Mn Vt
Being Nice Isn’t Good Enough – Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky, Crisis Magazine
How the New Corporate Elite Sold Same-Sex Marriage to the Public – Scott Yenor Ph.D.
The Prior of Silverstream on Secular Aesthetics – Rick Yoder, The Amish Catholic
Sacristy Tips: How To Correctly Wear a Conical Chasuble – Shawn R. Tribe, Lit Arts Jour.
Ryan Anderson Razes Transgender Movement’s Points in New Book – Fr. M Schneider LC
On the Worthy Reception of Holy Communion, Part One – Msgr. Charles Pope, CiM
‘Gaudete et Exsultate’: An Assessment – Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register
Abandoning Blogs for Facebook, Twitter was a Mistake – Matthew Archbold, CMR
Fun & Fresh Book Appeals to Hipster Catholics with Spiritual Swagger – R. Lordan, CH
Europe Risks ‘Demographic Collapse’, Catholic Group Warns – Jonathan Luxmoore, CH
Episcopal Jurisdiction – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mutual Enrichment
An Examination of Closet – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Asking by the Rules: Canon 1262 & You – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Why the White House Should Recognize The Armenian Genocide – S. Morabito, Fdrlst
Erdogan Is Holding an American Pastor Hostage in Turkish Prison – Chuck Ross, Strm
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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MONDAY MORNING EDITION

Locked Book (Credit: Africa Studio from Shutterstock via Rod Dreher)

The Silence Of California’s Catholic Bishops

. . .a Catholic reader in California writes to complain that the state’s Catholic bishops are paying no attention to Assembly Bill 2943 an LGBT “rights bill” just approved by the Democratically-controlled state legislature.  It now heads to the California Senate. . .

by Rod Dreher

Is Newark’s Archbishop Emerging as the Leader of the ‘Francis Party’? – Michael Davis
Apocalypse on April 23? What the Church Says About the Rapture – Kathy Schiffer
Saint Paul VI? A Jigsaw – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mutual Enrichment
Can a Catholic University be Too Catholic? – Anne Hendershott, The CWR
In Wake of Abuse Scandal, Bishops of Chile Talk Resignation – Inés San Martín, Crux
“What is the Reality of the Situation?” – P.J. Smith, Semiduplex
The Great Tolerance Ruse – Jennifer Hartline, The Stream
The Ugly Coded Critique of Chick-Fil-A’s Christianity – Stephen L. Carter, Bloomberg
The Patrick Coffin Show: Protestant YouTube Star Becomes Catholic—Lizzie – Cath Std
Book Rev.: Bart Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity – Tim O’Neill, History for Atheists
Stagnaro Nails Probability, Ending the Fine Tuning Argument – Bob Drury, Cthlc Stand
French Leaders Demand Muslims Decry Anti-Christian/Jewish Quran Verses – J. Gill
Video: Historian Henry Sire Discusses His Book ‘The Dictator Pope’ – Edward Pentin
Belief in God Declining, but Belief in the Devil Remains Strong – Fr. A. Lucie-Smith PhD
Facebook, MeWe, & the Call to Evangelize – Birgit Jones, Catholic Life in Our Times
From Clean Water to Gang Violence, Salvadoran Bishop Focuses on Poor – Rhina Guidos
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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SVNDAY EDITION

(Credit: National Catholic Register)

Confessions of a Traditional Catholic

. . .”The Holy Mass alone is ‘heaven on earth’”. . .

by Jim Graves,

of the National Catholic Register

A New Era for American Catholicism – Tim Stanley, Catholic Herald
This Hermit-Nun Hasn’t Spoken for 16 Years, But Here’s What She Tells Us – A. Malec
The Life of a Hermit: A Glimpse Inside the Little-Known State of Life – Ma. Rezac, CNA
What St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Can Teach Us On Loving the Eucharist – Fr. E. Looney
A Glimpse into Grandeur: Art of the Gesù Church – Kinga U. Lipinska, Ltrgcl Arts Jour.
Ten Ways We Can Grow in Love with the Eucharist – Fr. Ed Broom O.M.V., Cthlc Exchng
Three Ways to Show Gratitude to God – Jeannie Ewing, Catholic Exchange
The Magisterium of the Sacred Liturgy – Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture
The Amazing Grace of the Eucharist: Ecclesia de Eucharistia at 15 – Ch. Carstens, Reg
What You Need to Know about the Order of St. Benedict – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Astronomer Saints Who Wed Science & Faith Together – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Christ comes from Heaven to Host: We Must Meet Him There – Vic. Burbach, Plcn’s Brst
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SATVRDAY EDITION

Icleand Grunge Flag (Credit: think0)

Iceland is the Latest Front in the War on Religious Freedom

. . .the proposed ban on male circumcision is another example of secular authorities itching to legislate on religious belief. . .

by Father Alexander Lucie-Smith, Ph.D.,

of Catholic Herald

St. Ignatius Said What?? – Trent Horn, Catholic Answers Magazine
A Day of Reckoning for Facebook – The Editors, National Catholic Register
How Director of The Exorcist Discovered Reality of Demonic Possession – Mk. Pattison
An Examination of Closet – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Two Views on Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life – John Horvat II & Scott Ventureya
In Financial Difficulties, Turn to These Heavenly Intercessors – Kat. N. Hattrup, Aleteia
Take My Heart Away – Janet Meyer, Catholic Stand
Reel Presence: How Friendship is a Synonym for Salvation – Scott Hahn, NC Register
In Haiti, Catholic Relief Services Builds Hospital to Last – CNA via The CWR
Asking by the Rules: Canon 1262 & You – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Duc In Altum – Put Out Into the Deep – Cameron Edman, Catholic Stand
Buffer Zones & Abortion Clinics: Why This English Bishop is Concerned – CNA via CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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FRIDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Nazis Burning Books

Will California Go from Banning Religious Books to Burning Them?

. . .2 weeks ago, we warned you about the implications of California’s “Must Stay Gay Bill”.  Now others are sounding the alarm about the full weight of this onerous bill, which could literally mean the banning of certain religious books.  If we don’t stop this, what’s coming next? . . .

by Michael Brown, Ph.D.

Jesuits Gonna Jesuit – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Knights of Columbus Leader Received Supernatural Message – ChurchPop
A Helpful Question for Our Protestant Friends – Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic Answers
Swedish Govt Threatens to Close Catholic Schools – Angelo Stagnaro, NC Register
Archbishop Chaput Thinks You Should Read This Young Catholic’s Letter – CNA via CWR
Catholic Community Mourns Mother Killed on Southwest Flight – CNS via Cthlc Herald
Latest ‘Silicon Valley’ Episode Mocks California’s Anti-Christian Animus – G. Boorman
10 Key Terms of Catholic Hipster Slang – Miriam Diez Bosch, Aleteia
Is Jesus the Only Way to Salvation? – Marcellino D’Ambrosio Ph.D., Catholic Exchange
An Examination of Closet – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Evangelizing the Closed-Minded – Matt Nelson, Catholic Answers Magazine
The Call to Evangelize Through Facebook and/or MeWe – Birgit Jones, Catholic Stand
Three Cheers for the Lex Talionis – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Place Your Bets: The Arnobius-Pascal You-Bet-Your-Life Wager – G. McClung Ph.D. J.D.
Asking by the Rules: Canon 1262 & You – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Declare War on Drug Makers – Matthew Walther, The Week
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