Day: March 6, 2013

On
George Weigel

Qualities needed for the unique papal office

The Catholic Difference column by George Weigel

At the point at which John Paul II began his papacy in the first volume of my biography of him, Witness to Hope, I borrowed some thoughts from Hans Urs von Balthasar and tried to explain a bit of the uniqueness of the papal office:

An impossible task

“To be pope is to take on a task that is, by precise theological definition, impossible. Like every other office in the Church, the papacy exists for the sake of holiness. The office, though, is a creature of time and space, and holiness is eternal. No one, not even a pope who is a saint, can fully satisfy the office’s demands.

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On
Chris Lee

Bishops urge support for choice in education

MADISON — The Roman Catholic bishops of Wisconsin wrote to members of the Wisconsin Legislature, urging them to support Governor Scott Walker’s budget proposal, which would expand parental choice programs in the state and create the Special Needs Scholarship Program.

Noting the Church’s long-standing commitment to quality education, especially for needy or vulnerable children, the bishops explained why educational choice is so vital. “We back this effort out of a conviction that parents, as the primary educators of their children, must have the community’s support in selecting a form of education that best meets their child’s needs — academic, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical.”

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On
Lillian Qinones, For the Catholic Herald

Researcher uncovers the dark world of the Pill

Heroes for Life by Lillian Quinones

Author’s note: This is the second in our series of interviews on Heroes for Life — Catholics who are doing extraordinary things for the pro-life movement. I have included the scientific citation links in the text of the interview so you can read more on the published research on this compelling topic which has far-reaching implications for our society. — Lillian Quinones, senior, St. Ambrose Academy, Madison

Following is an interview with Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel and the executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing located in Milwaukee.

She is an international speaker/author on the topic on post-abortion healing. She has done extensive research on the biology of bonding/attachment and on the biochemistry of attraction which relates to the Theology of the Body.

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On
Scott Emerson, For the Catholic Herald

Seminarian reflects on the final days of Benedict XVI

Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of reflections on recent events happening at the Vatican by Diocese of Madison seminarians studying in Rome.

As a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison, studying in Rome, the unexpected news of the pope’s resignation has dramatically impacted the life of the seminary and the spiritual life of each seminarian as we pray for His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman pontiff emeritus, and the cardinals as they prepare to enter conclave.

From the moment we heard the announcement, the North American College seminarians were in abuzz talking about the Holy Father’s decision while trying to concentrate on studying and completing final exams which we were in the midst of taking.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Challenges for the Church: Cardinal Dolan outlines key issues facing the next pope

There are many challenges facing the Catholic Church today, challenges which the new pope will have to address.

What are the most important challenges? If we only go by secular media reports, the key issues would seem to be the sexual abuse scandal, ordination of women, and same-sex marriage. These are some of the so-called “hot button” issues, but are they the major challenges facing the Church?

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On
Lillian Qinones, For the Catholic Herald

Researcher uncovers the dark world of the Pill

Author’s note: This is the second in our series of interviews on Heroes for Life — Catholics who are doing extraordinary things for the pro-life movement. I have included the scientific citation links in the text of the interview so you can read more on the published research on this compelling topic which has far-reaching implications for our society. — Lillian Quinones, senior, St. Ambrose Academy, Madison

Following is an interview with Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel and the executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing located in Milwaukee.

She is an international speaker/author on the topic on post-abortion healing. She has done extensive research on the biology of bonding/attachment and on the biochemistry of attraction which relates to the Theology of the Body.

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On
Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part three

Year of Faith column logo

This is the third of a four-part series on the Eucharist.
Council of Trent (1545-1563)

The Council of Trent was called not primarily to look at the liturgy, but rather to counter the attack on the doctrine and practice of the Church by the reformers. The Reformation in northern Europe had devastated the Church. The Council wanted to restore it to full theological orthodoxy in the face of attacks on Catholic beliefs, and to renew the vigor of the life of Catholics.

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