Catholic Herald View, Author at Catholic Herald

Catholic Herald View

Church tax ‘triggers sharp fall’ in German Catholics

July 31, 2015

Large numbers of Germans have renounced their membership of the Catholic Church, according to new statistics. Figures show that the total leaving the Church in 2014 was 22 per cent higher than in the previous year, rising from 178,805 to 217,716. This has not only affected the size of the Catholic community but also the

Pope uses iPad to sign up to WYD

July 31, 2015

Pope Francis has become the first person to sign up for next year’s World Youth Day in Poland. The Pontiff registered using an iPad in the window overlooking St Peter’s Square during his traditional Sunday blessing. Flanked by a young Polish man and woman, Pope Francis said: “Thanks to this electronic device, I signed up

News in brief

July 31, 2015

✣ Lawmakers consider assisted suicide bill Lawmakers in the District of Columbia in America are considering legislation that permits doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to patients who are deemed mentally competent, have received a terminal diagnosis of six months or less and wish to end their lives. Ukrainians condemn gay partnership plan

Has America got ‘Francis fatigue’?

July 31, 2015

The Pope’s popularity in the US is falling ahead of his first visit. Is his environment encyclical to blame, asks Madeleine Teahan Is Pope Francis the most popular person in the world? Sometimes it feels that way, but with the Pontiff making his first trip to the United States this September there are signs that

The rise and fall of the Catholic blogosphere

July 31, 2015

During the reign of Benedict XVI, blogging became a mighty instrument in the hands of conservative Catholics. But the medium soon revealed a darker side   A fortnight ago, Pope Francis appointed Fr Robert Barron, rector of Mundelein seminary in Chicago, to be a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The news

Foundations

July 31, 2015

Four Weddings and a Church In the second of our series on the history of church architecture, we look at a typical Norman example, famous for its role in a classic film St Bartholomew-the-Great, Smithfield In recent years, St Bartholomew’s, in the shadow of Smithfield Market in the City of London, has become most famous

A great Catholic marriage revolution

July 31, 2015

Most people haven’t realised that the way Catholics speak about married life has changed dramatically. But after this October’s family synod they certainly will   When I was a university student in the early 1970s I experienced a natural attraction to marriage, while at the same time sensing a call from the Lord to monastic

Science and Faith

July 31, 2015

The plot to eradicate faith schools Abortion, same-sex marriage, assisted suicide – the secular society encroaches every day. But I keep my focus on faith schools because this battle is not yet lost. While politicians for the most part support the existing arrangements, the campaign to eradicate religious schools from the public education system in

A better way to choose bishops

July 31, 2015

Too often a secretive, top-down mentality is employed to fill episcopal vacancies. Instead, a series of structured, rational conversations should be held to determine the best candidate   Many years ago, I attended a university lecture by the then young and newly appointed Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia. I asked him to clarify his words

Catholic Dilemmas Fr Tim Finigan

July 31, 2015

I enjoy the kind of fast food that is decried as unhealthy, and generally take no notice of the dire warnings that are thrown at me. Is it a sin to enjoy my favourite burger and fries? Weakened by our fallen human nature, we do have to exercise restraint in our use of food and

Life is short. You will sin

July 31, 2015

‘Life is short. Have an affair.” The emailed advert from Ashley Madison has appeared repeatedly in my inbox over the past year or so. I have often thought that the advertisers should add a rider, in the interests of truth in advertising: “Yes, and risk your marriage, hurt your children, and invite many later regrets.”

All change at Walsingham

July 31, 2015

Since the Reformation, English Catholics have been praying for the conversion of England. Conversion has for many become a challenging word. It means changing from one thing to another, usually for the better. Many interpret the need for conversion as a rejection of their choices or lifestyles. They feel judged, as if their space has

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