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Why does God remain hidden?
December 10, 2015
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
When I first began teaching theology, I fantasised about writing a book about the hiddenness of God. Why does God remain hidden and invisible? Why doesn’t God just show himself plainly in a way that nobody can dispute? One of the standard answers to that question was this: if God did manifest himself plainly there
No need for self-loathing
December 10, 2015
Piers Paul Read
My 12-year-old granddaughter is studying German and, as part of an exchange arranged by her school, a girl from a Gymnasium in Bonn came to stay for 10 days. She was around the same age, unsophisticated in comparison with the west-London cool of my granddaughter. Her north European physiognomy reminded me of those enchanting Madonnas
Pastor Iuventus
December 10, 2015
Pastor Iuventus
Treason, as a French revolutionary said, is just a matter of dates, and so once again I can bless my poor, benighted RE teachers who, when they might have been teaching me about Diwali or the evils of plastic carrier bags, were cruel enough to teach something called the Catechism. I have heard Catholics of
Saint of the week: St Lucy (December 13)
December 10, 2015
Staff writers
A miraculous dream Lucia of Syracuse was one of the most prominent victims of the Diocletian persecution and was one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe. Her feast day was once a major event in the calendar. Traditional accounts say Lucy born to a wealthy family in 283AD, during the last great persecution
Lectio Divina
December 10, 2015
Mgr Anthony Abela
Luke 3:10-18 10 The people asked [John], “What are we to do, then?” 11 He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must give one to the man who has none, and whoever has food must share it.” 12 Some tax collectors came to be baptised, and they asked him, “Teacher, what are we to do?” 13
Omnium Gatherum
December 10, 2015
Fr John Zuhlsdorf
The Third Sunday of Advent is nicknamed “Gaudete … Rejoice!”, from the first word of the Introit chant. Gaudete is the counterpart of “Laetare … Rejoice!” Sunday during Lent. Today we relax slightly Advent’s penitential focus. Some claim Advent is not a penitential time, even though it has always been considered such in centuries past.
Word this Week
December 10, 2015
Bishop David McGough
The prayer for the Third Sunday of Advent prays that we who await the celebration of the Lord’s Nativity might celebrate the joys of so great a salvation with glad rejoicing. For many the final preparations for Christmas bring stress rather than joy. Perhaps it is not too late to stand back from immediate preparations
Pictures of the week
December 10, 2015
Staff writers
1. Archbishop Leo Cushley with children from St Peter’s Primary School in Morningside, Edinburgh, ahead of his 31-date tour of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. 2. Elena Cucuz, Jacob Brown, Lucy Deakin, music teacher Craig Gilligan, Joey Walklate and Ruby Brocklehurst are recording a charity Christmas single at St Joseph’s College in Trent
December 13 to December 19
December 10, 2015
Staff writers
Cardinal Nichols (Westminster) Sun: Opens Westminster Cathedral Door of Mercy during Liturgy of Vespers and Benediction, 3.30pm. Tue: Preaches at Metropolitan Police Carol Service, Westminster Abbey, 6pm. Wed: Meeting with Bishops’ Conference Staff, London, 10am, Christmas Celebration Reception, Archbishop’s House, 6.30pm, Christmas Celebration, Westminster Cathedral, 7.30pm. Thu: Christmas Celebration, Archbishop’s House, 6.30pm, Christmas Celebration, Westminster
What holds Lebanon together
December 10, 2015
Mary Kenny
When the vote on bombing Syria was going through the House of Commons last week, I thought about all the people I had met in Lebanon, where I had just spent five days. I met some inspiring individuals there – Lebanese, Syrian, British, American and others – but the one thing they had in common
How Francis misreads the market
December 10, 2015
Philip Booth
Pope Francis has frequently described the present global financial system as an “economy that kills”. He often specifically criticises speculation on food prices. Addressing the UN this year, he said: “Beginning in 2008 the trend of food prices has changed: doubled, then stabilised, but always with higher figures in comparison to the preceding period… We
What’s the truth about transsexuality?
December 10, 2015
Dan Hitchens
Aoife Assumpta Hart calls herself a “nunnabe” – somebody whose dream is to be a nun. She has wanted to enter religious life since she was eight. But, she says, it can’t happen, for a simple reason. Hart is a transsexual, and although she now identifies as female, she was born male. “Nuns are communities
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