News

By Fr. George W. Rutler, Catholic Exchange - The word “intrigue” can refer to two different phenomena. The first is simple fascination… But there is a second kind of intrigue. And that, says the book of Proverbs, is an abomination to God (6:18). This fascination is not harmless or morally neutral, and it certainly is not the first level of an approach to God. It is really rejection of God and His goodness. This kind of intrigue, condemned by the rabbis and then by the prophets and the Fathers of the Church, is the devising of wicked imaginings, the distortion of the imaginative faculty to plot against God.

By Christopher Altieri, Catholic Herald - Tasked with a preliminary investigation of Bishop Bransfield’s conduct in office, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore appointed a team of investigators who turned up an array of evidence, including testimony from alleged victims of Bransfield’s sexual appetites — many of them priests and seminarians — as well as his penchant for spending money. Bransfield, The Washington Post reported last month, would also write personal cheques to churchmen, and then have himself reimbursed from diocesan coffers.

By Msgr. Charles Pope - Another one of the seeming paradoxes of true freedom is that it cannot be had unless it is limited. Absolute freedom leads to an anarchy in which no one is really free to act. Consider that we would not be free to drive if there were no traffic laws. The ensuing chaos would make driving extremely difficult—and dangerous! The freedom to drive, to come and go, depends upon us limiting our freedom to drive however we please; we cooperate through obedience to agreed-upon laws of the road.