Catholic Church

By Rev. P.J. Michel, Catholic Exchange - He sees in his heart a number of enemies; he knows his own weakness; and although he feels that with ordinary grace he has sufficient resolution to overcome some, yet against others to which he is more violently drawn and in certain occasions of greater peril, he is convinced from his own weakness, from a sorrowful experience, and from a knowledge of the principles of his religion, that without special graces, he will not have the courage to resist successfully.

By Tom Collingwood, Catholic Stand - It seems lately that the topic of discussion with Catholic and non-Catholic friends gets around to the clergy abuse scandal.  In turn, in my RCIA classes that I teach it can be the “elephant in the room” in discussions on the nature of the Church. I find myself increasingly being challenged to explain what has happened and exactly what is the nature and extent of the abuse. I feel the need to defend the Church but to only defend what is true.

By Philip Kosloski, Aleteia - (W)hat’s the truth about ghosts? Are they real?.. According to the Catholic Church, yes, ghosts are real, except the Church’s definition of ghosts is slightly different than the world’s view and includes three different types…. the word “ghost” is traditionally defined as “spirit.” In this respect, the Catholic Church heartily affirms that there is a spiritual world around us. These spirits are normally identified as “angels.”… Angels, similar to God, are pure “spirit” and do exist…

By George Weigel, First Things - Pole that he was, Karol Wojtyła had a well developed sense of historical irony. So from his present position in the Communion of Saints, he might be struck by the ironic fact that the Synod on “Youth, Faith, and Vocational Discernment,” currently underway in Rome, coincides with the fortieth anniversary of his election as Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1978. What’s the irony?