papacy – Page 4 – Shameless Popery

What the Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II Means for SSPX and Traditionalists

Two days ago, on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis canonized Popes John XXIII and John Paul II. For most of us Catholics, this was a time of great rejoicing. But it was not so for everyone. Critics of JPII at both extremes of the ideological spectrum (so to speak) denounced his canonization. Both his canonization,… Continue reading What the Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II Means for SSPX and Traditionalists

Is Easter Pagan?

Every year around Easter time, there’s a spate of articles and Facebook posts that seek to disprove Christianity. This year, there were two: that Jesus had a wife, and that Easter is really just worship of the pagan deities Ishtar and Eostre. Fr. Stephen Grunow, CEO of Word on Fire, had the definitive response to… Continue reading Is Easter Pagan?

Did Luther Want to Start His Own Church?

Front page of Exsurge Domine,Pope Leo X’s bull calling Martin Luther to repent In a piece arguing that God is the Author of schism (contrast with Galatians 5:19-20, which condemns schismatics) the Orthodox Presbyterian Church elder Brad Winsted recites the now-standard Protestant claim that Luther didn’t really want to start his own church: One of the obvious… Continue reading Did Luther Want to Start His Own Church?

Day 4: O Clavis David (O Key of David)

Tonight’s O Antiphon is “O Clavis David,” which means “O Key of David.” It’s a reference to Isaiah 22:19-23, and the rise and fall of a man named Eliakim. In this passage, God removes Shebna from his position of power as Master of the Palace, replacing him with Eliakim: Peter Paul Reubens, St. Peter (1612) I… Continue reading Day 4: O Clavis David (O Key of David)

Is “The Rock” of Matthew 16:18 St. Peter? Or His Confession of Faith?

One of the most hotly-contested passages in Catholic-Protestant dialogues is the “Upon This Rock” passage in Matthew 16:18. After the Apostle Simon confesses faith in Jesus as the Messiah (the Christ), Jesus says to him “And I tell you, you are Peter, [Petros] and on this rock [petra] I will build my church, and the… Continue reading Is “The Rock” of Matthew 16:18 St. Peter? Or His Confession of Faith?

The First- and Second-Century Papacy: An Answer to Eamon Duffy

One of the most surprising attacks on the papacy has come from Eamon Duffy, a professor of the history of Christianity at Cambridge University. Duffy’s argument is that not only was the Bishop of Rome not considered the pope in the early days of Christianity, but that there was no Bishop of Rome for nearly… Continue reading The First- and Second-Century Papacy: An Answer to Eamon Duffy

Ten Great Quotes from Pope Francis

Pope Francis is a gifted orator, and an effective evangelist, proclaiming the Gospel from the world’s largest pulpit. In the short time that he’s been pope, he’s had a lot to say. Today, I want to highly ten quotations from Pope Francis that you might have missed. These are taken from ten different occasions, on… Continue reading Ten Great Quotes from Pope Francis

Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, and the Cross

Meister des Hausbuches, Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles (1475) The more I read about our new Holy Father, the happier I am. He seems to combine outspoken orthodoxy with flagrant and outspoken love of the poor and downtrodden. In short, there is plenty for Catholics (and non-Catholics) of all stripes to like. One… Continue reading Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, and the Cross

Where is the Papacy in the Bible?

To celebrate the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis, here is a copy of a talk that I gave at lunch today on the Scriptural origins of the papacy: ““Where is THAT in the Bible: The Pope” Sharing the Catholic faith with non-Catholics, even non-Catholic Christians, can seem overwhelming at times. There are just so… Continue reading Where is the Papacy in the Bible?