Jen at Conversion Diary raises the question, and an interesting discussion follows. I tagged this post with my “liturgical year” tag because of the All Saint’s Day connection, which probably signals some of my bias. I view it in the same way that I view Mardi Gras, as a feast (of sorts) before a fast.… Continue reading Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Author: Joe Heschmeyer
The Eucharist for Those Suffering From Celiac Disease
I was trying to find out what the radical Society of St. Pius X thought of Canon 844, which permits those not fully in communion with the Church to share in the Eucharist under a very limited set of circumstances (they fiercely oppose it, unsurprisingly). But then I noticed something a couple questions down, which… Continue reading The Eucharist for Those Suffering From Celiac Disease
Bart Stupak (D-MI) Speaks Out Against Abortion in the Healthcare Bill
A lot of people are arguing that all the talk about abortion being covered by the proposed healthcare bills is a partisan political ruse, designed to derail Obamacare, a legislative defeat which could send his entire agenda reeling in the months before midterm elections (yup, they’re already talking about that here in D.C. – it’s… Continue reading Bart Stupak (D-MI) Speaks Out Against Abortion in the Healthcare Bill
Maureen Dowd Goes a Bit Nuts Against the Pope
A friend of mine asked me on Sunday what I thought of Maureen Dowd’s piece in the New York Times. She’s convinced that since there’s an Apostolic Visitation of Women Religious, and there’s no priestesses, the Vatican must hate women. I’ve been working sporadically on a response, and may post it eventually, but Michael Sean… Continue reading Maureen Dowd Goes a Bit Nuts Against the Pope
Animals in the Book of Mormon
I. A Possible Mormon Source? Seth R. writes: Animals in the Book of Mormon:http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Anachronisms/AnimalsBother to actually research the Mormon responses before making claims. I’ve talked with both LDS friends of mine and with Mormon missionaries on this issue, and was unaware that FAIR existed (although I’ll try and make us of it in the future).… Continue reading Animals in the Book of Mormon
National Catholic Reporter’s “Young Voices”: An Exercise in Dissent
In its continued assault on the Catholic Church, the National Catholic Reporter has published yet another hateful piece in its “Young Voices” section (it’s the third bullet point below). If you’re not familiar, Young Voices is the worst part of NCR’s editorial section. It’s staffed by four young people: Nicole Sotelo, Kate Childs Graham, Mike… Continue reading National Catholic Reporter’s “Young Voices”: An Exercise in Dissent
Gay Marriage and American Indians
Front Porch Republic has a pretty insightful piece of gay marriage and liberal culture. I. The Invisible Moral Code Jeremy Beer makes the point that modern liberalism presents itself as content-neutral while, in fact, propping up a number of break-them-if-you-dare moral rules. The same person will claim to be a moral relativist, where what’s right… Continue reading Gay Marriage and American Indians
Once Saved, Always Saved and Revelation
I’ve heard Evangelicals try and use the last chapter of Revelation to claim that sola Scriptura is, in fact, Biblical. Specifically, Revelation 22:18-19 says: 18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And… Continue reading Once Saved, Always Saved and Revelation
A Study in Contrasts (and a Blog Worth Checking Out)
Taylor Marshall, who asked the question I just addressed, is a former Anglican/Episopalian priest who became Catholic in 2006. He now runs an aptly-named blog, Canterbury Tales. He recounts his reaction to the news of the Apostolic Constitution here: I was teaching Moral Theology this morning when I learned that the Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans… Continue reading A Study in Contrasts (and a Blog Worth Checking Out)
Prescience, pt. 2
Taylor Marshall asked, “Did Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei prophesy the Anglican Ordinariates?” The “prophesy” in question is from a 1958 quote by St. Josemaria, recounted by Msgr. Bill Stetson (incidentally, the head of the Catholic Information Center, where I go to Mass during the week, until 2007 – I just missed him). While… Continue reading Prescience, pt. 2