Big Pulpit

VVEDNESDAY EXTRA

Michael (Credit: Screengrab of WhatsApp Image via The Federalist)

Muslim-Led Persecution Is a Global Epidemic, & It Hit My Friend Michael Again This Week

. . .one of my best friends, a Pakistani Catholic named Michael, was brutally assaulted by Muslim thugs in a suburb of Karachi this week. . .

by Casey Chalk,

of The Federalist

Vatican’s Prefect for Communication, Msgr. Viganò, Resigns – Elise Harris, CNA/NCRgstr
Chicago Priest Defends Himself Against Accusations – Christine Niles J.D., Church Mltnt
American Teenagers’ Quiet Despair – Matthew Walther, The Week
The Church Will Not Bow to P.M. Justin Trudeau’s Demands – Fr. Thomas Rosica C.S.B.
More Reasons Why “Blessing” Gay Couples Is Scandalous – John M. Grondelski Ph.D.
Getting Ready for Synod-2018 – George Weigel, The Catholic World Report
Youth Leader: Traditional Latin Mass is ‘Progressive’ – Edward Pentin, NC Register
March 21, A.D. 1918: Operation Michael Begins – Donald R. McClarey J.D., TACatholic
US S.Ct.  Dubious About Calif. Law Targeting Crisis-Pregnancy Cents. – J.F. Desmond
Respecting People & the Truth; Re: Wash. Archd. Docu. on Amoris – Fr. G. Murray JCD
Democracy Dies in the Womb; Responding to Ruth Marcus – Pat Cross, NC Register
Cormac McCarthy’s The Sunset Limited & the Chitchat Apostolate – Patrick Malone, CS
Pro-Life Democrat Rep. Lipinski of Illinois Narrowly Wins Primary – Sara Burnett
Openness in Episcopal Conferences Needed – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mut. . .
L’Arche Founder Jean Vanier Shows a Path to Love in Summer in the Forest – J. Burger
The Charity of Judging – Michele Chronister, Catholic Exchange
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY EDITION

John Lennon at Give Peace a Chance Bed-In in Montreal (Credit: Roy Kerwood via Wikipedia)

Stephen Hawking, John Lennon & Atheism’s Fear of Eternity

. . .there is no annihilation for our everlasting souls; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the light. . .

by John Clark,

of the National Catholic Register

When & Why Does the Church Go Wrong? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Why Dr. Rebecca Luckett’s Abortion Essay Not “Same Old Same-Old” – E. Peters J.C.D.
Fostering Young Vocations: Who’s Afraid of the Cassock? – Gregory DiPippo, NLM
New McCarthyism: Religion, Marriage, & Judicial Nominations – Randall B. Smith Ph.D.
Phil Lawler on Off the Shelf at Breadbox Media – Pete Socks, Catholic Stand
Heretical Groups are Barnacles on the True Church – Patti M. Armstrong, Catholic Lane
Killing the Bible Softly with Your Appeals – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
The Devil Will Make You Reminisce of What You’ve Left Behind, Pope Warns – Aleteia
Abortionists Spend Lots of $$$ to Defeat a Pro-Life Democrat in Congress – Mic. Bilger
When Virtue Becomes Vice & Vice Becomes Virtue – Ch. Padusniak, Jappers & Janglers
Will American Caesars Arise? – Russell Kirk D.Litt., The Imaginative. . .
Pope: Men Who Use Prostitutes have ‘Sick Mentality’ – Nicole Winfield, AP via CH
American & Christian Freedom: Acknowledging the Fall – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Strm
Mary Kills People Character Claims Not a Killer Despite Euthanizing Patients – C. Ring
Do Not Be Afraid: the Truth about Down Syndrome – Mary Cooney, Mercatornet
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TVESDAY EXTRA

St. Peter’s Dome Under a Fog (Credit: Edward Pentin)

April Rome Conference to Address Crisis of Confusion in Church

. . .the meeting, with interventions from cardinals & bishops, will be entitled ‘The Catholic Church: Where Are You Heading?’ . . .

by Edward Pentin,

of the National Catholic Register

Lettergate: a PR Disaster for the Vatican – Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith Ph.D., Cath Herald
The Prophecies of St. Patrick – Emmett O’Reagan, the Carlos Caso-Rosendi blog
Peak Trans, Part II – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Is Sex Okay As Long As Nobody Gets Hurt? – Karlo Broussard, Catholic Answers Magazine
Picturing the Passion: “Christ Carrying the Cross” by Hieronymus Bosch – J. Fernandes
Paul: Apostle of Christ; Movie Trailer – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Jane Austen: Why Her Heroines Would Not Be Saying ‘Me Too’ – Carolyn Moynihan
Consecration Chain Bracelet by St. Louis de Montfort – Fr. Richard Heilman, RC Man
When it comes to Politics Catholics should all be ‘Independents’ – Steffani Jacobs, CS
Photos of the Mass of Lyon – Gregory DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement
Income Inequality: Why Christians Should Take a Closer Look – Anne Bradley, IfFWaE
Eternal Rome – Martin Mosebach, First Things
Why It’s Not ‘Harmless’ to Let Your Child Use Crude Language – Fr. Michael Rennier
#AllforJan: Slovakia Mourns Young Catholic Journalist – Elizabeth Jean Seah, Igntm Tdy
L’Arche Communities Bring the Differently-Abled Together – Laura DeMaria, Cath Stand
Aussie Bishops to Hold Plenary Council After Year of Difficulties – CNS via Cthlc Herald
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TVESDAY EDITION

Toys “Я” Us (Credit: Mercatornet)

Toys “Я” Us Blames Birth Rate for Business Failure

. . .will it be the first of many. . .

by Shannon Roberts,

of Mercatornet

Al Kresta on the Past, Present, & Future of Catholic Radio – Jeanette Flood, The CWR
Frustrated with Millennials? Priest Explains Who’s to Blame – Fr. Bill Peckman, ChrchPp
Really Bad News from St. John Cantius in Chicago – Fr. Z’s Blog
Papal Continuity or Discontinuity? Vatican PR Team Scores on Its Own Goal – P. Lawler
Scott Hahn’s New Book Is Good Reading for Holy Week – Nick Manetto, NC Register
Harvey Weinstein & the Diabolic Imagination – Sara Kitzinger, Crisis Magazine
Killing the Bible Softly with Your Appeals – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Christians Continue to Suffer as Pres. Erdoğan Expands Reach, Power – Derya Little
We Should Never Forget the Good Cardinal O’Brien Did – Fr. Ale. Lucie-Smith Ph.D., CH
Quiz: Can You Tell These Four Roman Churches by Their Facades? – Daniel Esparza
The Aristocrats Who Guarded the Pope – Evan Wing, Regina
Faith-Based I Can Only Imagine Film Makes $17M Opening Weekend – Nancy Flory
Language Mediates Reality – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Christ’s Admonishing of the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew – Paul Kniez, Cath Stnd
Watch Meetings from Pre-Synod on Youth Live – Chloe Langr, epicPew
St. Joseph in Old York: Recovering Lost Tradition of Sacred Drama – M.A. Brown Ph.D.
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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MONDAY EXTRA

Providence College (Credit: Crisis Magazine)

Providence College Bullies Its Faithful Students

. . .last week at Providence College, a brave & devout Catholic student I got to know well last year during my own battles with the politically correct has had occasion to live out the words of Jesus. . .

by Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D.,

of Crisis Magazine

Author of ‘The Dictator Pope’ Revealed Officially & Book Format Now Available – Fr. Z
Why Is This Quiet Saint the “Terror of Demons?” – Tatiana Federof, epicPew
America’s Quiet Carnage – Nathan Nielson, First Things
How Footnotes Will Save the Church – Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky, The Catholic Thing
How The Church Built & Can Still Save Western Civilization; Book – Casey Chalk, Fdrlst
Lifetime “Mary Kills People” Pushes Euthanizing People Dealing with Grief – Cal. Ring
The Geryon is Alive in the World Today – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
An Open Appeal to the Catholic Bishops of the World – E. Christian Brugger D.Phil.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien Dies Aged 80 – Catholic Herald
Here’s What I Learned from Fasting – Fionn Shiner, Catholic Stand
Iceland & Genocide – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Coll. of Holy Cross Fights for Political Correctness, Not Truth & Reason – Fr. S. Connolly
St. Joseph’s Silent Strength Teaches Us by Example – Joseph Pronechen, NC Register
Revisiting Pre-1983 Canon Law for Better Response to Marriage Issues – C. Howell JCL
Generational Blessing – Fr. Richard Heilman, Roman Catholic Man
The National Museum of Scotland Will Soon Be Viewable Online – J.P. Mauro, Aleteia
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MONDAY EDITION

Fr. Peter Stravinskas (Credit: Cardinal Newman Society)

Fr. Stravinskas Breaks It Down to the Essential

. . .at Catholic World Report, we find an address Fr. Peter Stravinskas recently gave to a chapter of Legatus about liturgical issues.   He breaks down, Barney style, some super important issues which, today, are controversial. Inter alia. . .

by Father John Zuhlsdorf

of Fr. Z’s Blog

The Vatican’s Viganò Problem – Christopher R. Altieri, The Dispatch via The CWR
Why Women Can’t Be Catholic Priests – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Pope Francis, Five Years Later; Analysis & Explanations – Andrea Gagliarducci, Mon Vat
It’s Been a Rough Week with Msgr. Viganò – P.J. Smith, Semiduplex
Homosexuality, Transgenderism & a Christian with Answers in Science – Josh Shepherd
Vatican Reveals Two More Paragraphs of B16’s Letter to Msgr. Viganò – Edward Pentin
Killing the Bible Softly with Your Appeals – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
A Speaker for Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) – Bob Kurland Ph.D., The Amrcn Catholic
Frassati, Gonzaga, & the True Nature of Rebellion – Cameron Edman, Catholic Stand
The Abortion Exception – Charlotte Allen, First Things
Forcing Pro-Life Cents. to Ad. for Abortion is Unjust & Unconstitutional – A.T. Walker
New Sex Edu. Program in British Schools Set to Advance LGBT agenda – Piers Shepherd
The Real Meaning of Lenten Penance – Christian Daru, Catholic Stand
Picking Up Papal Themes: Discernment & Accompaniment – Jeffrey A. Mirus Ph.D., CC
3 Saints, 3 Approaches to Finish Lent – Shaun McAfee O.P., National Catholic Register
Protecting Minors: is the Church Doing All in Its Power? – Fernando Rodríguez-Borlado
 Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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SVNDAY EDITION

Charles II of Spain in Adoration of the Holy Eucharist

Don’t Shy from Adoration Because You Get Distracted in Prayer – Take Your Cares to Your Lord!

. . .some of us, may-be, are deterred from visiting our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament by a false conception of what a visit should be. . .

by Vicki Burbach,

of Pelican’s Breast

The Litany of Humility: How can I be Freed from the Desire to be Loved? – Fr Bartunek
Exact Number of Wounds Suffered by Christ, Revealed to a Medieval Saint – ChrchPop
Keeping the Faith Alive in the Most Remote Parish on Earth – Abbot Hugh Allan
7 Catholic Evangelists Share Tips on Spreading the Faith – Jim Graves, NC Register
One Artist’s Quest for Liturgical Beauty – Joseph Pronechen, National Catholic Register
Striving Towards Heaven? Try Jesus’ 8 Step Program – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Why Do We Call the Mass a “Sacrifice”? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
5 Alternatives to the Girl Scouts for Young Catholic Women – Laura Ricketts, epicPew
A Journey From Selfishness to Selflessness – David Torkington, Catholic Stand
People Find God Through Silence, Cardinal Sarah Tells Audience – Michael Swan
Fulton Sheen & Suffering: “Does God Know My Pain?” – Sarah Robsdotter, Aleteia
What My Down Syndrome Son Who Sings at Mass Can Teach the World – Sh. Antonetti
Trust in the Promises of God – Fr. Benedict Rogacci, Catholic Exchange
4 Empowering Doctors of the Church Every Woman Should Know – Chl. Langr, epicPew
Before I Was Me; Child’s Book Review – Shaun McAfee O.P., National Catholic Register
The Feast of the Forty Martyrs – Gregory DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement
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SATVRDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Brice Sokolowski (Credit: Screengrab from CatholicFundraiser.net)

Killing the Bible Softly with Your Appeals

by Brice Sokolowski,

of CatholicFundraiser.net

This Tabernacle Design is Totally Inscrutable – Kevin Di Camillo, NC Register
Two Professors on Tackling the Great Books – Catholic Exchange
Compromise with Islam, Atheism, & Secularism is an Illusion – Derya Little, NC Register
Did George Washington have a Vision of Our Lady? – Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald
New Testament Evidence for Noah’s Existence – Dave Armstrong, NC Register
Pope’s Emphasis on Accompaniment Takes Root in US Ministries – Peter Jesserer Smith
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Post-Nominals? (Part II) – Kevin Di Camillo, NC Rgstr
Just Call Cryogenic Suicide What It Is: Selfie Death – Georgi Boorman, The Federalist
There are Places Where Lobsters are Safer Than Human Babies – Fr. G. Rutler STD ThD
Tiny Thomists — Because ‘Thomism is for Everyone’ – Justin McClain, NC Register
Did Isaiah Write All of Isaiah? – Stephen Beale, National Catholic Register
On the Integration of Substantial Change, Creation, & Evolution – Bob Drury, Cath S
The Currency of the Kingdom – Joy – Ken Kniepmann, Catholic Stand
A First Taste of Wim Wenders’ New Docu. Film on Pope Francis – Zelda Caldwell, Alet.
This Fair Trade Business Empowers Women Across the World – The. Williams, epicPew
Of Gods & Good Medicine – Liz Schleicher, St. Dymphna’s Daughter
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SATVRDAY MORNING EDITION

Fr. Dwight Longenecker in Cassock & Saturno next to an Image of Jesus & His Divine Mercy (Credit: Fr. Dwight Longenecker)

A Black Cassock in the Deep South

. . .when she saw me in my cassock & scapular she shrieked with delight, then walked right up & said, “Can I give you a hug?” . . .

by Father Dwight Longenecker

Sister Lucia & the 7th Call of Fatima – Joseph Pronechen, National Catholic Register
Here’s One Lenten Book You Should Have Read by Now – Melissa Guerrero, epicPew
Why Catholicism is the Best Religion – Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Natl Catholic Register
Uncultured Multiculturalism Unravels Problems of Retelling Tolkien’s Tales – N. Blake
Population Control & Euthanasia Activist Stephen Hawking Passes Away – M. Bilger, LN
Understanding Anger in Those We Care For – John Buri Ph.D., Homiletic & Pastoral Rev.
How to Improve Your Experience of the Mass – Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald
Does God Pick the Pope? – Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Magazine
The Fury of the Mob is Sinful but the Anger of God is Holy – Fr. G.W. Rutler S.T.D. Th.D.
Joy Behar Publicly Apologizes for Calling V.P. Mike Pence “Mentally Ill” – Life News
Vatican Removes Guam Archbishop Accused of Abuse – Catholic Herald
Popes’ Silence on Central Europe’s Migration Crackdown – Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affrs
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Daughter Meets with Pope Francis – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Pro-Abortion S.Ct. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Turns 85, Not Retiring – Mic. Bilger, LN
Making Connections: A Stray Dog & The Good Shepherd – Betty Parquette, Cthlc Stand
A Bishop & His Flock Worry About Deal Btw. Beijing & Vatican – E. Rauhala, WaPo
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FRIDAY EXTRA

Cardinal Cupich & Pope Francis (Credit: One Peter 5)

Pope Francis Is Beloved, His Papacy Might Not Match Up to His Popularity

. . .the conversation has become predictable. A friendly acquaintance asks about my work. I say I’ve been writing a book about the pope, & the acquaintance smiles & nods & says “Isn’t he so wonderful?” & then eventually I find myself saying, uncomfortably, “Well, they should know that it’s not entirely favorable”. . .

by Ross Douthat,

of The New York Times

The Three Days of Darkness 2018 are Underway in LA! – Fr. Z’s Blog
Crucified Star Wars Stormtrooper Hangs in London Anglican Church – Simon Dennerly
The Dilemma of the Pope: The World Meeting of Families – Fr. Reg. Scanlon O.F.M. Cap.
Blurred Lines: Vatican Manipulation of the Photo Becomes the Story – Greg Erlandson
Overcoming Anxiety & Worry in a Darkening World – Ray Sullivan, Catholic Stand
The Latest Children’s (Political Pawns) Crusade – Donald R. McClarey J.D., TACatholic
Alfie Evans’ Parents Slam Court: Our Son’s Been Sentenced to the Death Penalty – LN
Was Benedict’s Letter an Endorsement, a Critique – or Neither? – Dan Hitchens, CH
By Embracing Abortion, Democrats have Alienated Catholics – Fr. A. Lucie-Smith Ph.D.
The Importance of Liturgical Beauty – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
Reflecting on Blind Obedience – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
A Winner’s Advice for Success in Life & Homeschool – Annika Albrecht, Seton Magazine
Behind the Curtain of Assisted Suicide Advocacy – Wesley J. Smith J.D., First Things
‘Examples of Light’: The Women of The Catholic Association – Nancy Flory, The Stream
The Rationalizations of Down Syndrome Abortion Proponents – Nicholas Senz, Crisis
With All Your Heart – Erin Cain, Ignitum Today
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FRIDAY EDITION

Pope Francis & the Eucharist (Credit: thecatholicuniverse.com)

Pope Francis: If You Are In a State of Mortal Sin, You Cannot Receive Holy Communion

. . .the Pope reminded Catholics that those in a state of sin must go to confession first. . .

from the Catholic Herald

Cardinal Kasper: Homosexual Relationships are Analogous to Marriages – Fr. Z’s Blog
The ‘Gay’ Baby Boom & Courage – Jennifer Hartline, The Stream
High Sch. Teacher Put on Leave After Asking if Sch. Allows Pro-Life Walkout – D Huber
This Post Will Ruin Your Saint Patrick’s Day – Alex R. Hey, epicPew
Making Pornography Respectable – Carolyn Moynihan, Mercatornet
Sad Abandonment of Identity: Secularization of Our Religious Univs. – A. Goldberg J.D.
Killing the Bible Softly with Your Appeals – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Silent Scream – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Catholics Need to Rediscover Proper Lenten Fasting – Cha. A. Coulombe, Cthlc Herald
An Authentic Understanding of Vatican II – Shane Schaetzel, Catholic in the Ozarks
A Pesky Detail in the Report on Ruling Against Down Syndrome Abortion Law – B. Ross
Did St. Patrick Expel Snakes from Ireland? – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Algerian Martyrs: ‘Our Lives Are Already Given Away’ – Brian O’Neel, NC Register
Can Pope Francis Persuade the Irish to Choose Life? – Filip Mazurczak, The CWR
How Protecting Wildlife Can Help Us Appreciate Our Higher Laws – Allison Low, CS
Towards a World Day for Eastern Christians – Paul de Dinechin, Aleteia
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THVRSDAY EXTRA

Archbishop Angelo Becciu (Credit: Life Site)

The Pope “Also Suffers” Because of the Criticism, Archbishop Angelo Becciu Says

from Rome Reports

How the Vatican’s Old Guard Clings to Power – Christopher Altieri, Catholic Herald
More of & about The Letter™ of Benedict XVI on the Booklets – Fr. Z’s Blog
What Causes Young People to Convert? Beautiful Churches, Says Study – uCatholic
What “Accompaniment” Really Means – Fr. James V. Schall S.J., Crisis Magazine
Holy Madness – Kenneth Colston, First Things
Facing Hostility at ‘Catholic’ Georgetown, Defending Traditional Marriage – A. Irvine
Where Does Catholic Thinking on “Gender Theory” Go from Here? – John Allen, Crux
Ides of March: Julius Caesar – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Death is Not the End – Elizabeth Jean Seah, Ignitum Today
Do Catholics Have “Three Ending Points”? – Dan Byron, Catholic Stand
Decline is a Choice (Partly) – Pete Spiliakos, First Things
US Bishops Call for Legal Protection for Supporters of Traditional Marriage – CNS
Sacrifice is Woven into the Tapestry of Motherhood – Amanda Evinger, NC Register
Modern Liberty a Cruel Parody of Christian Freedom – Paul Krause, Crisis Magazine
A Brief Guide to Papal Documents – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
The Secret to Finding the Happiness of Lent – John Clark, Seton Magazine
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