Category Archives: Uncategorized

I have very much enjoyed reading the accounts of the John Paul II Beatification on various blogs and websites. My favourites so far are Ironic Catholic’s and Tracey Rowland’s. Rome is really something else. Rome with crowds is another experience … Continue reading →

Trying to interpret the significance of statistical evidence – and (even more) attempting to draw conclusions from that evidence – is as accurate a science as reading tea leaves. Yes, I can see each tea leaf, and yes, I can … Continue reading →

Since he concluded Blessed Pope JPII’s series on the canticles of Morning and Evening Prayer, Pope Benedict’s Wednesday Audience catechesis has been concentrating on the Saints of the Church, starting with the apostles and, well, six years later having covered … Continue reading →

In Adam A. J. DeVille’s survey of various Orthodox appraisals of the Roman Primacy (in his Orthodoxy and the Roman Papacy), he notes the common insistence that the Primacy cannot be exercised in such a way as to “ride roughshod … Continue reading →

Another quotation from Benedict XVI’s Beatification Homily for Blessed John Paul II: Today’s second reading also speaks to us of faith. Saint Peter himself, filled with spiritual enthusiasm, points out to the newly-baptized the reason for their hope and their … Continue reading →

From the Beatification homily: During his first solemn Mass in Saint Peter’s Square [Blessed John Paul II spoke] in the unforgettable words: “Do not be afraid! Open, open wide the doors to Christ!” What the newly-elected Pope asked of everyone, … Continue reading →

Thanks to Miss Jane who wrote in to suggest that the Vatican Website might be the place to go to for the beatification ceremony this afternoon. This suggestion is backed up by Rocco Palmo who writes: Thanks to its newly-launched … Continue reading →

At his blog, Glosses from an Old Manse, Lutheran Pastor Mark Henderson writes in reaction to the report in The Telegraph that “blood taken from Pope John Paul II during his final hospitalization will be used as the official relic … Continue reading →

Rocco Palmo, in Rome for the beatification, put up this excerpt from Pope John Paul II’s inauguration homily in 1978, which he tells us will be the second reading for the feast-day of Blessed John Paul II in the Office … Continue reading →

There is a rather one-sided article in this morning’s Age “World’s future is a crowded place”. It’s basic argument is that while world population growth is slowing, we will still reach a peak of about 10.5 billion by 2050. The … Continue reading →