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February 2021

February 22, 2021

Charismatics, Superstition, and the Real Origin of the Peace Sign

I found out today that the peace sign is semaphore. I'd grown up thinking...

February 14, 2021

Five Ways to Spot Spiritual Abuse

Many years ago now, I went on retreat for the weekend with my FUS...

February 10, 2021

As I Watch the Footage of the Capitol Insurrection

Imagine a B horror movie-- the most formulaic of B horror movies, the kind...

February 08, 2021

The Mother, The Wafer, The Font

I went to Mass. A year ago, that wouldn't have been news. A year...

February 05, 2021

Catholic University of America Should Not Host Abby Johnson

I have been saying "I need to speak about Abby Johnson one last time"...

January 2021

January 24, 2021

My Response to Father Stephen Imbarrato’s Libel

As a rule, I do not suggest that you look at the Patheos Catholic Facebook...

January 21, 2021

Five Years of Troublemaking: A Retrospective

I am still reeling from the inauguration. I still can't believe it's over. I hardly...

January 16, 2021

Justice Sotomayor’s Pro-Life Dissent

Early this morning, at 1:23 AM, with just over a hundred hours left in...

January 06, 2021

The Religious Right Attempts A Coup

This is what happens when you incite war. And yes, Trump's cronies have been...

December 2020

December 23, 2020

Abby Johnson’s Downfall and the Heresy of Americanism

Let's say you were a public practicing Catholic, famous for your conversion to Catholicism, and...

December 11, 2020

Before You Donate that Can…

I just read an excellent article by Jennifer Vail at "Her View from Home;"...

December 09, 2020

Christians Have A Responsibility During the Eviction Crisis

Today, on social media, I saw a short video that is a grim sign of...

December 07, 2020

Lisa Montgomery’s Upcoming Execution is an Atrocity

You have probably heard by now that the United States government is about to perform...

November 2020

November 28, 2020

Freedom, Virtue and Responsibility: Notes for a Challenging Holiday

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving, the unofficial start to the secular holiday season. I already...

November 22, 2020

Everyone Sees the Face of God

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew: Jesus said to his disciples:...

November 21, 2020

A Walk After Leaf-fall

It's not that there isn't a lot to be thankful for, the weekend before...

November 20, 2020

The Death Penalty is Wrong Because Killing is Wrong

Last night, the United States committed another federal execution. Orlando Hall, a rapist and murderer,...

November 17, 2020

A Fine Time for Crackpots

I am aghast at just how bizarrely people are behaving right now, especially in the...

November 17, 2020

If You’re Going to Give to the Needy…

It's mid-November. Advent is beginning in Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches; the rest...

November 16, 2020

No, Christmas is Not Canceled

The War on Christmas seems to get earlier every year. It seems that today, a...

November 10, 2020

The McCarrick Report: The Vatican Owns Up To Enabling Abuse

Today, we finally get to see the long-awaited McCarrick Report, a massive public document...

November 08, 2020

A Time To Heal, A Time To Build

Today is the day we've waited for. I woke up to find that, after an...

October 2020

October 30, 2020

My Final Word Before You Vote

I have said again and again that I don't like writing about politics. This...

October 25, 2020

The Problem of the Trump Rally and the Purple Maga Nuns

Yesterday, Donald Trump held one of his infamous campaign rallies in Circleville, Ohio. It was...

October 19, 2020

The True Effect of COVID and the Pro-Life Movement on Abortion

Words cannot express how much I dislike writing about abortion. As a Catholic, I believe...

October 18, 2020

I Cast My Ballot For President

I cast my ballot for president. It wasn't nearly as satisfying as you might think....

October 01, 2020

The Question of “Spirit-Filled” Christians

I met a gentleman in the combox the other day, a Charismatic. He was angry...

September 2020

September 30, 2020

My Response to Last Night’s Debate Fiasco

Last night I live-tweeted the first presidential debate. I still don't know why I did...

September 28, 2020

A Word on the Trumps’ Financial Difficulties

My family depended on SNAP benefits for ten years, to keep from starving to...

September 26, 2020

A Word on the Charismatic Renewal

I apologize for the long gap between posts lately. The "a" key on my keyboard...