De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Bishop Marian Eleganti, a Swiss Catholic bishop and member of the Benedictine Order, is the latest prelate to express concerns regarding the current direction of the Catholic Church, particularly in relation to the concept of synodality and its implications under Pope Francis' pontificate (you can find his blog here in German and Italian). Bishop Eleganti's Article has four main themes: Synodality and Its Emphasis: Bishop Eleganti acknowledges the value of consultation and mutual listening within the Church. However, he critiques the current emphasis on synodality, suggesting that it has become a central focus overshadowing the Church's primary mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ. He points out that discussions often centre around organisational structures and inclusivity, rather than the core message of salvation through Christ. This allegation of introspection has been levelled at Pope Francis numerous times now, and the clear direction he has chosen to travel seems sta...

ABOVE: Picture of Bishop Alan Williams attending the Tina Beattie lecture at Newhall and featured on the website of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre Introduction: Faithful Dialogue or Dissent? Professor Tina Beattie is a prominent Catholic personality and has been for many years. She is a regular contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day and is an active novelist and commentator with a special focus on women's issues. However, despite her notoriety, her theological positions often spark significant controversy within the Catholic community, particularly due to her public dissent from established Church teachings. The Catholic Church’s teaching on moral and social issues is not hastily formed opinion, but rather an organic synthesis of divine Revelation from sacred Scripture, a rich and nuanced Tradition shaped over 2,000 years, and the wisdom of the Magisterium—a living authority that has grappled with complex questions across centuries. Any approach that disregards th...

  Back in November, the  Catholic Unscripted team were invited to address the Catholic Man UK national conference at the historic Buckden Towers, Cambridgeshire. My talk was on the effect of fidelity - and infidelity - on family.

Incredible news is breaking in America regarding the replacement for the retiring bishop of Washington, D.C., the capital see of the United States. Cardinal Robert McElroy, a figure who ranks as one of the most openly heterodox bishops in the country, has been chosen for this significant position. This appointment is already generating widespread controversy and dismay among faithful Catholics and clergy. It is not only my perspective that McElroy's theological views are problematic; several other U.S. bishops share this concern. His appointment as cardinal was surprising in the first place, as he was elevated from the Diocese of San Diego rather than from a more prominent archdiocese such as Los Angeles. Traditionally, archdioceses like Los Angeles, the largest in the United States, are more likely sources for new cardinals. Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, a staunchly orthodox bishop, has been repeatedly overlooked by Pope Francis, further intensifying criticism of McElroy...

 From The Lord , by Romano Guardini: THE Christmas liturgy includes these beautiful verses from the eighteenth chapter of the Book of Wisdom: "For while all things were in quiet silence and the night was in the midst of her course, thy almighty word leapt down from heaven from thy royal throne..." The passage, brimming with the mystery of the Incarnation, is wonderfully expressive of the infinite stillness that hovered over Christ's birth. For the greatest things are accomplished in silence -- not in the clamour and display of superficial eventfulness, but in the deep clarity of inner vision; in the almost imperceptible start of decision, in quiet overcoming and hidden sacrifice. Spiritual conception happens when the heart is quickened by love, and the free will stirs to action. The silent forces are the strong forces. Let us turn now to the stillest event of all, stillest because it came from the remoteness beyond the noise of any possible intrusion -- from God. Luke...

"Anyone who creates confusion alienates people from the Church... I would like to say to the bishops of other countries: do not make this mistake, do not make our mistake. In parishes where the faith is well proclaimed & the liturgy is celebrated with dignity, churches are full." -Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk I wonder who he is talking about? In this interview with Cardinal Eijk (papabille??) notes that despite a 2022 survey of the Dutch which showed that, for the first time, more than 50 percent of the population identified themselves as atheists or agnostics, he sees green shoots and remains hopeful. The Netherlands was once considered the avant-garde of the Catholic Church, but that direction has only brought apostasy and decline. Cardinal Ejik makes a clear diagnosis: this is the dictatorship of relativism. He explains: "Secularisation started with the growth of prosperity. It enabled people to live individually, detached from the community. Individuals put the...