2 Jun 2015

Some web browsing..............



Some good news from Maynooth (for a change) - Nine deacons to be ordained in Maynooth today
 
Bishop Brendan Leahy reflects on the marriage referendum result.
 
Catholic Herald - Baroness Flather says the Catholic Church has done nothing for women. Here’s why she is wrong

As the publication date of Pope Francis encyclical on the environment approaches, it is interesting to note that the initial outlines of the new encyclical were given at an address by Cardinal Peter Turkson at the Pontifical University in Maynooth back in March 2015:
Analysis of the yet unpublished encyclical continues
 
The second sitting of the Synod on the Family gathers in Rome in October 2015 and the commentary online grows, especially following what has been termed "the shadow synod" of German, Austrian and Swiss bishops which met in Rome during the week:

Pius XII - hated or revered by the Third Reich? An interview with historian Pier Luigi Guiducci about his new book on the war-time pope.  

A generation is now growing old, which never had anything to say for itself except that it was young - The first progressive generation. 

The Tablet (UK) (of all publications!) tries to find something positive in the visit of Cardinal Burke to the UK - A certain beauty about watching Cardinal Burke in action 

Selfish, ‘armchair’ Christians distance people from Christ, pope says
 
A commonplace book - reflection on journaling in this fast paced digital world

 
Pope urges engaged couples to take time, be open to God's surprises 

Catholic history and tradition is full on many strange things which are often held up to ridicule the understanding of the church and its role in people's lives. One area which often draws fascination is the area of death and in particular the Incorruptibles - the saints whose bodies have not decayed! A couple of articles which look at the issue from a historical, religious and high level scientific point of view:
Reflecting on our death and our mortality is a long tradition in the Christian faith with many saints depicted holding memento mori to that famous soliloquy in Hamlet: