Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Saturday, December 09, 2017
Friday, December 08, 2017
Teaching the Nicomachean Ethics
The text is still used by some philosophy departments of the "new, small, Catholic liberal arts colleges" -- however the ethics course is usually co-ed. Is this use of the Nicomachean Ethics, or the teaching of ethics in general, in a "gender-neutral" way appropriate, if we admit the existence of sex differences? It should be clear from the text itself that it is addressed to young men (of a certain educational background), and not to young women. Is the text useful for women who have a similar background? Perhaps some parts, like the discussion of happiness and friendship. But the discussion of the virtues may not be, as those virtues would be different for men and women in so far as their general virtue is also different.
As the teaching of ethics is part of moral education, and not just a component of a "liberal education" (which in turn must be judged in accordance with moral standards and requirements), ethics above all should not be taught to a mixed-sex class. What would be required for a proper ethics course for women, besides acknowledging the existence of sex differences? More on that another time.
As the teaching of ethics is part of moral education, and not just a component of a "liberal education" (which in turn must be judged in accordance with moral standards and requirements), ethics above all should not be taught to a mixed-sex class. What would be required for a proper ethics course for women, besides acknowledging the existence of sex differences? More on that another time.
Thursday, December 07, 2017
Wednesday, December 06, 2017
What is the problem?
Sandro Magister: Orthodox Churches in Decline, Except in Ethiopia. A Survey
Too much clericalism, along with not enough Christians understanding the "universal call to holiness"? Instead, they believe erroneously that the pursuit of holiness belongs to the religious elites, the monks? Despite having what may be an aesthetically pleasing liturgy, has an authentic liturgical spirituality been lost? And has asceticism been identified too much with keeping the fast and external observances, rather than the correction of disordered self-love? And then there is the broader crisis of the laity, which is not limited to the crisis of men, but this last issue nonetheless must be addressed posthaste for any possibility of a long-lasting "solution."
It is the 21st century after the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and His Church, primarily the Apostolic churches, does not seem to be faring well, thanks to external enemies but also internal weaknesses.
What will address this problem? Not a modern pan-Orthodox synod that just releases documents, in imitation of Latin councils. Not a liturgical reform that aims to make liturgy relevant and relatable to modern sensibilities (as some like Nicholas Denysenko would suggest). But a renewal at all levels, with real leadership being exercised by bishops and their brother priests, and this renewal requires that the clergy repudiate all modern errors including liberalism and egalitarianism. (And the clergy also need to realize the limits of their authority.)
The Holy Mysteries provide us with the divine life, but to assimilate it through proper living we need the true doctrine of Christ. The bishops have been entrusted with teaching the primary precepts, but what is at stake and needs to be continually defended are the secondary precepts which have not been explicitly revealed but only known through reflection on the natural law and the life in and of the Church.
Too much clericalism, along with not enough Christians understanding the "universal call to holiness"? Instead, they believe erroneously that the pursuit of holiness belongs to the religious elites, the monks? Despite having what may be an aesthetically pleasing liturgy, has an authentic liturgical spirituality been lost? And has asceticism been identified too much with keeping the fast and external observances, rather than the correction of disordered self-love? And then there is the broader crisis of the laity, which is not limited to the crisis of men, but this last issue nonetheless must be addressed posthaste for any possibility of a long-lasting "solution."
It is the 21st century after the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and His Church, primarily the Apostolic churches, does not seem to be faring well, thanks to external enemies but also internal weaknesses.
What will address this problem? Not a modern pan-Orthodox synod that just releases documents, in imitation of Latin councils. Not a liturgical reform that aims to make liturgy relevant and relatable to modern sensibilities (as some like Nicholas Denysenko would suggest). But a renewal at all levels, with real leadership being exercised by bishops and their brother priests, and this renewal requires that the clergy repudiate all modern errors including liberalism and egalitarianism. (And the clergy also need to realize the limits of their authority.)
The Holy Mysteries provide us with the divine life, but to assimilate it through proper living we need the true doctrine of Christ. The bishops have been entrusted with teaching the primary precepts, but what is at stake and needs to be continually defended are the secondary precepts which have not been explicitly revealed but only known through reflection on the natural law and the life in and of the Church.
Tuesday, December 05, 2017
Monday, December 04, 2017
Canon 915
Pope Francis’ letter to the Argentine bishops is in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis. Now what? by Edward N. Peters
Canon 915 and the fundamental sacramental and moral values behind it might be forgotten, ignored, or ridiculed, but unless and until that law is revoked or modified by papal legislative action or is effectively neutered by pontifically approved “authentic interpretation” (1983 CIC 16), it binds ministers of holy Communion.
(original)
Canon 915 and the fundamental sacramental and moral values behind it might be forgotten, ignored, or ridiculed, but unless and until that law is revoked or modified by papal legislative action or is effectively neutered by pontifically approved “authentic interpretation” (1983 CIC 16), it binds ministers of holy Communion.
(original)
Sunday, December 03, 2017
Supersessionism!
CWR: Divinely Planned Obsolescence by Thomas J. Nash
Why the Temple in Jerusalem will never be rebuilt and how the Sacrifice of the Mass is “the source and summit of evangelization”.
Why the Temple in Jerusalem will never be rebuilt and how the Sacrifice of the Mass is “the source and summit of evangelization”.
St. John the Forerunner
The first guide for Advent: St. John the Baptist by Peter M.J. Stravinskas
Silence bespeaks expediency, complicity, and cowardice, and John the Baptist never kept silent, for even in the womb he announced the truth of Christ (cf. Lk 1:44).
Silence bespeaks expediency, complicity, and cowardice, and John the Baptist never kept silent, for even in the womb he announced the truth of Christ (cf. Lk 1:44).
Saturday, December 02, 2017
CWR: Moral theology should make saints—not excuses by Nicholas Senz
Moral theologians should pursue research and reflection in order to bring forth and multiply the Church’s rich tradition on spiritual growth and holiness. They should avoid rationalizations and sophistic excuses, lest they be caught in their own craftiness.
I suspected she had a connection with New Wine, New Wineskins and she did -- she was the invited scholar for their 15th Annual Symposium. Ludicrous.
Moral theologians should pursue research and reflection in order to bring forth and multiply the Church’s rich tradition on spiritual growth and holiness. They should avoid rationalizations and sophistic excuses, lest they be caught in their own craftiness.
I suspected she had a connection with New Wine, New Wineskins and she did -- she was the invited scholar for their 15th Annual Symposium. Ludicrous.
Friday, December 01, 2017
Regarding this post on the purpose of the Incarnation, it is not a good sign if the patriarchate of Rome has been talking about preaching the kerygma for more than half a century and its bishops are unable to do so correctly.
Re: kerygma -- Can we ignore the fruits of the reflections of the Church Fathers upon the purpose of the Incarnation and the salvation of mankind? Is it enough to say that the Son of God became man so that we might be saved, without explained how we are saved or from what?
Re: kerygma -- Can we ignore the fruits of the reflections of the Church Fathers upon the purpose of the Incarnation and the salvation of mankind? Is it enough to say that the Son of God became man so that we might be saved, without explained how we are saved or from what?
Thursday, November 30, 2017
We Are Special Snowflakes
Are they passing out purple (and red) zuchettos in Cracker Jack boxes these days? Re: De Incarnatione, Latin Christianity goes from one extreme (certain Western theories of atonement) to the other (an absolutist humanism/anthropocentricism).
Go read the Church Fathers on the Divine exchange and deification.
Archbishop José H. Gomez:
Go read the Church Fathers on the Divine exchange and deification.
Archbishop José H. Gomez:
The archbishop explained that Advent is a time of waiting for the coming of Christ at Christmas, but it is also an opportunity for God to draw closer to his people in relationship, noting this desire of God to be close to creation is a unique aspect of Christianity.
“And we believe that our God comes to be with us, that he loves us so much that he makes himself one of us – sharing in the whole experience of our humanity, beginning as a little child in a mother’s womb.”
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Fr. Schall on Moral Action by Fr. Sokolowski
On the Creases of Being by James V. Schall, S.J.
Monsignor Robert Sokolowski’s insightful Moral Action is, in a sense, is a polemic against the subjectivizing of moral action as if the word or act we put into the world itself had no significance.
Monsignor Robert Sokolowski’s insightful Moral Action is, in a sense, is a polemic against the subjectivizing of moral action as if the word or act we put into the world itself had no significance.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Friday, November 24, 2017
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
CWR: Is opposition to the death penalty Thomistic? by Joseph G. Trabbic
Given Pope Francis’s own high regard for St. Thomas (together with the historical papal approbation he has enjoyed) when it comes to doctrinal issues, we might ask how the opposition to the death penalty articulated by the Pope compares with the teaching of the Doctor Communis.
Given Pope Francis’s own high regard for St. Thomas (together with the historical papal approbation he has enjoyed) when it comes to doctrinal issues, we might ask how the opposition to the death penalty articulated by the Pope compares with the teaching of the Doctor Communis.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Secretary of State
Cardinal Parolin: Dialogue of Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches to help them feel unity
Source: TASS Russian News Agency
Cardinal Pietro Parolin | 20 August 2017
Source: TASS Russian News Agency
Cardinal Pietro Parolin | 20 August 2017
Friday, November 17, 2017
Local Liturgical Translations
Cardinal Sarah may be admirable in his defense of the prerogatives of the CDW and a traditional understanding of the authority and role of the Roman Curia, but is he right? Meanwhile even if it is proper to entrust local liturgical translations to local ordinaries, is now the right time for it? And is there a way to embrace liturgical translations without accepting modern nationalism and its fruits? That is what the recognition of national episcopal conferences does, at least -- they are not approving different local translations for a region, but a single uniform one for that region, regardless of the diversity of peoples and cultures in that region.
This problem should have been forestalled in the first millenium, had the Latins and Franks permitted the official use of liturgical texts translated from Latin into hieratic versions of the local tongues.
This problem should have been forestalled in the first millenium, had the Latins and Franks permitted the official use of liturgical texts translated from Latin into hieratic versions of the local tongues.
A Good Resource for Roman Documents
But it is not the well-developed theological treatise on political life that Roman Catholics need.
CST at its present stage of development is more likely to mislead and confuse than to clarify political questions. (Like the legitimacy of the modern nation-state.)
Newly published Reader in Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes traditional doctrine
CST at its present stage of development is more likely to mislead and confuse than to clarify political questions. (Like the legitimacy of the modern nation-state.)
Newly published Reader in Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes traditional doctrine
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Missed This in 2015
Byzantine Empire—or Republic?
The Byzantine Republic: People and Power in New Rome, Anthony Kaldellis, Harvard University Press, 312 pages
By Brian Patrick Mitchell
The Byzantine Republic: People and Power in New Rome, Anthony Kaldellis, Harvard University Press, 312 pages
By Brian Patrick Mitchell
Monday, November 13, 2017
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Friday, November 10, 2017
Thursday, November 09, 2017
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Joy
Christian joy cannot be faked or forced; it is the gift of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the exercise of agape, ascesis, and suffering in Christ. It is certainly not the same as niceness.
Monday, November 06, 2017
CWR: Superstition, Dissent, and Scandal? by Dr. Michael Sirilla
A brief defense of Fr. Thomas Weinandy Some pundits from both progressive and orthodox quarters have been quick to criticize and even condemn Fr. Weinandy and his missive to the Pope. Thus, a brief defense of Fr. Weinandy is in order.
A brief defense of Fr. Thomas Weinandy Some pundits from both progressive and orthodox quarters have been quick to criticize and even condemn Fr. Weinandy and his missive to the Pope. Thus, a brief defense of Fr. Weinandy is in order.
Sunday, November 05, 2017
Saturday, November 04, 2017
Friday, November 03, 2017
CWR: Fr. Weinandy was clear and direct. The USCCB was not. by Christopher Altieri
The Bishops had the right – perhaps the duty – to require Fr. Weinandy’s resignation. Nevertheless, the Catholic faithful in every state of life in […]
The Bishops had the right – perhaps the duty – to require Fr. Weinandy’s resignation. Nevertheless, the Catholic faithful in every state of life in […]
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
A Sacred Kingdom
The Frankish churches exercising authority over the secular realm: standard from erroneous principles? Looking mistakenly at OT antecedents?
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Holy Jonah
CWR Dispatch: In Defense of Jonah by Alan L. Anderson
In the Reluctant Prophet we have the classic (and beautiful) case of God ‘choosing a crooked pencil to draw a straight line’, for Jonah is the perfect ‘crooked pencil’ with which to draw that perfectly straight line.
In the Reluctant Prophet we have the classic (and beautiful) case of God ‘choosing a crooked pencil to draw a straight line’, for Jonah is the perfect ‘crooked pencil’ with which to draw that perfectly straight line.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Cardinal Koch on the Protestant Reformation
CWR: Cardinal Koch: “The commemoration of the Reformation reminded us of what unites us”
“In the commemoration of the Reformation,” says the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, “the emphasis was above all on what we have in common; but open questions still remain, as before.”
“In the commemoration of the Reformation,” says the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, “the emphasis was above all on what we have in common; but open questions still remain, as before.”
Echeverria Responds to Faggioli
A Critique of Faggioli’s interpretation of early Ratzinger’s view of Scripture, Tradition, and Authority by Eduardo Echeverria
Massimo Faggioli’s naïve biblicism cannot account for different levels of authoritative Church teachings in Catholicism, with some being foundational, irreformable, and definitive, and others being […]
Massimo Faggioli’s naïve biblicism cannot account for different levels of authoritative Church teachings in Catholicism, with some being foundational, irreformable, and definitive, and others being […]
Friday, October 27, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Exactly.
Byz, TX:
If we're going to restore the order of deaconesses let us also restore strict sex divisions in and outside of the temple.
ORTHODOX LITURGISTS ISSUED A STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE ORDER OF DEACONESS BY THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA
Do we have naked women needing to be baptized by deaconesses? Do we have priests unable to go to widows homes lest they scandalize the village? Do we have male and female sides to our parishes that need deaconesses to keep the women in order during services? No? Then what role will they play as that's the role they filled 600+ years ago? Helping people through Christian charity? Does that need an ordained ministry?
If we're going to restore the order of deaconesses let us also restore strict sex divisions in and outside of the temple.
ORTHODOX LITURGISTS ISSUED A STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE ORDER OF DEACONESS BY THE PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA
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